Raiders Projected 53

Well, cuts will start rolling in as early as tomorrow morning, and I’d have a few names I would recommend ASAP. Lets try to narrow down the Oakland Raiders roster to the final 53 players. Not an easy chore, as there is plenty to debate regarding the quality of the top of this roster, but the bottom of the roster is full of tough decisions to be made.

Quarterbacks:

Derek Carr, Connor Cook, EJ Manuel

I hate carrying 1 bad backup QB, and especially hate carrying 2, but there is just enough questions regarding the position in it’s entirety, that I think the Raiders carry all 3.

Running Back/Fullback:

Marshawn Lynch, Keith Smith, Doug Martin, Jalen Richard

A bit of a surprise, but no DeAndre Washington and no Chris Warren. Washington gets cut given the new competition in the room and after a lackluster showing in week 3-4 of preseason the Raiders hope to stash Warren on the practice squad.

Wide Receivers:

Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson, Martavis Bryant, Seth Roberts, Dwayne Harris, Johnny Holton

One of the tougher decisions to make, Holton vs. Marcell Ateman. Ateman to the practice squad.

Tight Ends

Jared Cook, Lee Smith, Derek Carrier

Easiest decision on the roster, Paul Butler to the practice squad.

Offensive Linemen

Kolton Miller, Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Donald Penn, Jon Feliciano, Brandon Parker, David Sharpe, and Ian Silberman.

Another tough call, but I think Silberman, Felciano, and Sharpe provide the versatility to cut a Jordan Simmons.

Defensive Linemen

Bruce Irvin, Justin Ellis, PJ Hall, Maurice Hurst, Arden Key, Mario Edwards Jr, Tank Carradine, Fadol Brown, and Shilique Calhoun.

Linebackers:

Tahir Whitehead, Marquel Lee, Derrick Johnson, Nicholas Morrow, and Emmanuel Lamur.

Short on linebackers, but I think a combination of versatility and this being a pass happy league makes getting by with a couple fewer linebackers possible.

Cornerbacks:

Rashaan Melvin, Gareon Conley, Daryl Worley, Nick Nelson, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Leon Hall.

Going into the Raiders final preseason game I hated the idea of cutting Antonio Hamilton in favor of 56 year old Leon Hall. However, Hamilton go beat just enough tonight that I’ve come around to the idea of keeping another coach in the DB room in Hall.

Safeties:

Karl Joseph, Marcus Gilchrist, Reggie Nelson, Erik Harris, and Shalom Luani

11 defensive backs, that’s quite a few, but I think that is by design. I elected to cut the RB/OL room a little short to try to give the secondary room some options.

Special Teams:

K Eddie Piniero, P Johnny Townsend, LS Andrew Depaola