Raiders project final 53-man roster ahead of preseason finale
The Las Vegas Raiders have outlined their expected 53-man roster as they prepare for their last preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers and the upcoming league cut-down deadline.
The Las Vegas Raiders are set to play their final preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, with the NFL’s roster cut-down day scheduled for Aug. 30. Ahead of the game, analysts have released a projection of the team’s 53-man roster.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to start, with Fernando Mendoza as the backup; Aidan O’Connell and Jacob Clark are projected to be released. Running back Ashton Jeanty remains the starter, while Mike Washington Jr., Connor Heyward and Dylan Laube are listed as backups. The status of Jeanty’s ankle injury could affect depth decisions.
Wide receiver starters are projected to be Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech, with Malik Benson and Dareke Young as backups. Several receivers, including Shedrick Jackson and E.J. Williams, are slated for cuts.
Tight end Brock Bowers is slated as the starter, with Michael Mayer and Ian Thomas as backups. The offensive line is expected to start Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze, with Charles Grant, Caleb Rogers, Atonio Mafi and Trey Zuhn III as reserves.
On defense, edge rusher Maxx Crosby is projected to start alongside Kwity Paye, with Malcolm Koonce, Keryon Crawford and Cian Slone as backups. Defensive tackles Tonka Hemingway and Adam Butler are expected to start, with Thomas Booker IV, Jonah Laulu, JJ Pegues and Folorunso Fatukasi as reserves.
Linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are projected starters, with Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg and Segun Olubi as backups. Cornerbacks Eric Stokes, Darien Porter and Taron Johnson are listed as starters, with Hezekiah Masses, Jermod McCoy, Greedy Vance and Decamerion Richardson as backups.
Safety Jeremy Chinn and Treydan Stukes are expected to start, while Isaiah Pola-Mao and Dalton Johnson serve as backups. Special teams remain unchanged, with AJ Cole III as punter, Matt Gay as kicker and Alex Ward as long snapper.
The projection notes that several players could shift to the practice squad or be considered for waiver-wire additions after cut-down day, depending on performance and positional needs.