Projecting the Raiders Practice Squad for 20225 #raiders #raidernation #lasvegasraiders #nflrookies

Projecting the Raiders Practice Squad for 20225 #raiders #raidernation #lasvegasraiders #nflrookies

Hello everybody. This is Hondao Carpenter, your Las Vegas Raiders beat writer on SI and the host of the Las Vegas Raiders insider podcast. It’s great to be with you today. Thank you for joining me. If you did not see yesterday’s podcast with Sheldon White, former NFL general manager, former pro player, um a current executive with the Steelers, just a tremendous guy, dear friend. Him and Amy are great friends of Shannon and I. If you didn’t, his son Cody plays for the Seahawks right now. If you did not um watch that interview, I encourage you to because we talked about practice squad, role players, not really practice squad, we talked about roster building a lot and role players and there was some discussion of practice squad. Now, um it’ll really help you with understanding today. Now, in today’s podcast, I am going to give you my projected projected uh practice squad players, and I think you’re going to find it very interesting um for a lot of different reasons. And we’re going to dig into all of that and and give you all the information. And then tomorrow will be part one of a three-part series on my projected 53man roster. So very much encourage you to watch on Wednesday. Thursday will be a special pro podcast. Friday will be part two of my 53man roster breakdown. And finally on Saturday will be part three, my final projection of the roster based upon who’s on the roster. obviously today. You know, I still think that there’s going to be some people make the 53 man that are not on this on part of the Raiders as of now. And um so obviously I expect it to be fluid, but it’s going off the roster that they have today. Um so that’s where we’re going. Let’s dig right in on the 53 man, excuse me, on the on the practice squad. Now, the NFL, the National Football League allows you to have 16 practice squad players. So you have 53 on the roster plus 16 takes you to 69. However, you can carry an additional 17th practice squad player if they’re part of the international pathway program. And that brings us to the first player that I expect to make the practice squad. Now, depending on how well he does in preeason, there is a very good ch there’s even a very good chance that that if he’s on the practice squad, somebody at some point in the year can pick him up. And I’m talking about Locky Tasi. Now, he is both an offensive and defensive player. I broke the story for you during the OTAAS when Robbie Leonard informed us that he had been moved to offensive guard. This is a very big human. You know, he’s 350 pounds. He’s big, but he is athletic like a running back. He’s athletic like a ballerina. He’s a rugby player. No experience in the game of American football. And that is just a huge mountain to climb. It’s enormous to climb that. Um, so him making it in the NFL, it’s hard for everybody, but is an even bigger uphill battle. However, with his skill set, athleticism, agility, hostility, and mobility, if he can put two and two together, he has the opportunity to become a legitimate superstar. He can physically do things that defy nature and he should not be able to do. So there’s a reason. Okay. So we talked about this earlier in the year. If he goes I I don’t think he’s going to make the 53 man because he doesn’t have exposure to American football and learning it is difficult. It’s difficult. But if he’s able to put it together, he can really do a lot. And if he’s able to put it together, guard is a better position than even an a defensive tackle. But man, a defensive tackle with that ability, can you just imagine him using that athleticism to get around double teams, that bull strength? I he’s got the bulk of Hadin nada with the agility of an indomicon sue mixed in with a little Barishnikov, just a little bit of ballerina. Uh it’s just a unique mix of god-given talent. There are some people that you just look at and you’re like, “Wow, God bless them with athletic talent.” That’s Lockitsi. What he’s missing is the understanding of the game. So, let’s imagine that he goes out in a preseason game and plays pretty well. Not great. I don’t expect it, but plays pretty well. So, the Raiders put him on the practice squad. Now, let’s assume you’re Carolina or some other bad team or potentially bad team and you’re sitting there and your season’s over and you got five games left and you need a player. Well, let’s go sign Lockits. We got to put him on our 53 man for the rest of the year, but he has such an enormous upside. Getting some reps may help him and then it allows us to keep him on our roster. Can totally see that happening. Now, even though I warned everybody that I was not in any way saying, you know, he was a 53man guy, I think the odds are against him of making him in this league, but the odds are against everybody. But man, he just does some things physically that are unbelievable. I heard something about him. I’m not going to tell you what it is till I confirm it, but something he’s done athletically since he’s been in Vegas. And one of the players told me about it, and he was like, couldn’t believe it. Hondo, I want to get confirmation from another player before I tell the story. Not because I think this player would lie to me at all. they wouldn’t, but stuff like that I I want to be able to share. I want to get a backup um confirmation. But Locky Tasi, so I’ve got him as both an offensive and defensive player. And so because of that, the Raiders will keep 17 on their practice squad. That means of these 17 players, I have one who’s both sides of the ball. I have nine defense and seven on offense. So let’s dig right in. Next at quarterback Carter Bradley. I think Carter is there unless the Raiders were to make a move in a different direction. Maybe there’s somebody that gets cut that they’re able to pick up that they really really like. But assuming no one else comes in the fray, um I would expect Carter to make it. Again, I could see somebody getting cut. I could see a guy that maybe they liked off of somebody else’s practice squad that they get let go. Um, I think Carter’s got an uphill battle to the 53. He’s a wonderful kid. He’s got a a very solid skill set, but he’s limited in it. Now, the thing is, the kid will work his tail off. So, if he makes it, he deserves all the credit in the world. This should also let you know though that I’m hinting at I expect the Raiders to keep three quarterbacks. And if they don’t keep three, then I would expect them to get rid of Carter and put Cam Miller here. I just don’t see a scenario that Cam Miller stays on the practice squad for an entire year. I just don’t see it. There are too many NFL people that really, really like him and had very good grades on him. They’re going to have to keep Cam. I say they’re going to have to. Clearly, I’m not God. I can’t make them, but I think it’s going to be very hard. and I know that they like him. Uh the third person I want to talk about is I think it’s a battle here between Chris Kier or Dylan Lobby for that third running back and I’m going to tell you I know there’s a lot every everyone likes Dylan Lob the person but I think that Chris Collier and I’m not saying they don’t like Chris but as you know Dylan was here last year. I I think this one is nip and tuck. I could make an argument for Lob, but I could make a very strong argument for Kier. So, I’m going to say at this point, Kier would have the edge, but I’m in no way calling it. That’s why it’s an or situation. Then you come into Parker Commence, the UDFA tackle. A lot of teams had a grade on him, a a dra, you know, a drafting. Um, but I think the Raiders will keep three tackles. Well, no. I actually I don’t I think they’re going to keep four, which is what I said. And I But or maybe trade one, but I just think it’s it’s too hard for him right now to get on this roster. Tackle’s too deep for the Raiders. But he’s very good. I think he definitely has an opportunity to have a future in this league. And so I think they keep Parker Clemens at tackle. Next uh is a battle between Dalton Wagner and Gotautle Aed. Dalton’s the guy that looks the part from Arkansas. He has struggled to stay healthy and to take the next step. Gotautle is intriguing. And I know internally there’s some people that really like some things Gotautle does. I think this is a straight I if I had to give an edge, I give it to Gotautle. But I’m telling you that I I think it’s just about as equal as any battle here. I think this is an equal battle. Then you come in and we talk about interior offensive lineman. I’m going to give you a guy that I love. I love this guy. I don’t like him. I love this guy. Will Putnham out of Clemson. This kid’s a stud. I like him. The Raiders are loaded at interior offensive line. I think he’s probably still a year away from being a contributor in the National Football League, but I like this kid and I like him a lot. Uh, I think he has a chance in this league. He belongs in this league. This is the year he has to take a monster step. If he doesn’t take a monster step this year and really prepare and set the stage for 26, his football career may come to an end. You’ve heard me talk about want to. How strong is your want to? We’re going to find out with Will Putnham. If he doesn’t make it in this league, it’s going to be his fault. Now, if he gets injured or whatever, I’m not holding that against him. But, uh, and the kid has effort, so there’s no reason to think he won’t. I like Will Putnham. I like Will Putnham a lot. Um, and I think he has a chance to do something in this league. Do I think he has a chance to be a superstar? It’s such a fine line from being a good player to a superstar. Um, so I think he could, but I think he absolutely has the ability to be a starter and a contributing. He reminds me, some of you old-timers will remember this. He reminds me of Rick Demulling. Remember Rick played with Payton Manning? My buddy Rick de Mulling played with Pton Manning up in Indianapolis. Great guy. Reminds me a lot of Rick De Moing. Different game. They play a different game, but just mindset, work, all that. I like Will Putnham a lot. Then we come to a guy uh Jared Huffford. Again, interior offensive lineman. Expect him to make it just like I expect Will Putnham to make it. I could see this guy playing in the league. I could. There’s enough there. There are some guys you look and say, “Well, they could be developed and make it.” Could. Then there are guys you look and go, “Oh, yeah. I could see it. Okay, that’s tougher. I see it now. Is he there today? No. Does he have some work? Absolutely. But could I see it? Uh-huh. I could. I could. So, I got Jared Huffford sticking around next. Uh, and I reserve the right to change this. Kadir is a tight end. I saw some things in OTAAS I really like, but as you know, it’s no pads. Okay, but he intrigued me. He intrigued me. I think I think the Raiders will keep three tight ends. I think two of them, barring a trade, is a lot are are are one’s a lock. One’s as close as you can get to a lock without being a lock. But I have Kadir as of this moment. And again, I reserve the right to change this, but at this moment, I got Kadir on practice squad. But I like him. I’m telling you now. You just you stand there at practice and you watch him, you’re [Music] like, “Yeah, I see it. I see it. I see the fluidity. Big kid. Big big big kid. And his ability to just dip that shoulder and cut and move, man. He just has that ability to just get around some guys. And I saw some things. I saw more from him at OT. I’m I’m I’m going to be zeroed in. I’m doing a podcast probably on Monday and what I’m watching for at mini camp. You’re going to hear the name Kadir Ismail again. I want see a little something something out of that young man. Um then we come to the defensive end of the ball. Uh, first off, Jaw Joiner, defensive end. And interesting guy has a long way to go. Long way to go. That’s why you put why you have a practice squad. I could see him getting called up if there was an injury and coming in and playing five to seven reps in specific situations. Not ready to be a 53man guy coming out of camp, but I could see the direction. I I like me some jaw. Um, next, another defensive end, and I think they’re going to keep three. Uh, Jafar Harvey. I like him. Very raw, limited, but he can develop that. But there’s enough there that you’re like, “All right, I see something. you see something and that’s what the practice squad’s for. Uh, another guy, uh, defense vent, Andre Carter. I like this guy. He can play in this league. I’m gonna tell you right now, he can play in this league. If this practice squad ends up like I think it’s going to, like I’m predicting today, if there were an injury, he’d be the first guy brought in, pulled up. I like Andre Carter. I am Choo Choo. I’m driving the Andre Carter train. I like this kid and all you got to do is watch him and you can see where he needs to grow. Talking about maturity, you can see where he has to become a pro on some certain things. But you just you just watch him and you’re like, “Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” You know, I mentioned I could see a jock coming in and playing 5’8 reps very limited if somebody was injured but not ready. I could see an Andre Reed I mean Andre Carter making the roster. I could see him making the 53. So him ending up here is not because I don’t think he can play on a 53man roster in the NFL. It’s just I don’t I don’t think he can make the Raiders 53 based on the talent presently on the on the roster. But I I love me some Andre Carter. I am driving that train. Choo choo. Next uh defensive tackle Tank Booker. Love it. This kid, I love it. Now, let me just go and tell you right now. I don’t think he makes the 53 man, but I wouldn’t be shocked. Robbie Leonard loves the kid and and he’s taking coaching now. Now, it’s all going to be different when the pads are on and he’s getting his face smashed in by Colton Miller or Jackson Powers Johnson puts his hand under the face mask and picks his nose and what are you doing, brother? I want to see that. But he I see him making the practice, but him making the 53, it would surprise me, not shock me. But that young man I I all indications earlier he can play in this league. He’s got to grow. Talking about maturity wise. Got to learn how to become a pro. But he’s a listener, a player, and a producer. Next quarterback, Melo freaking Dodson. And everybody knows I love this kid. Love this kid. I’m driving this train too. Choo choo. Like him. Could I see a scenario he makes the 53? I do. Uhhuh. I do. I think it’ll be an uphill battle, but I could see it. But he belongs in the National Football League. Like him and Tank, Andre, he belongs in this league. Kadir, there are some guys on here you’re like, “Yeah, they got some maturity. Got to grow and maybe they could become something.” That’s what the practice squad’s for. But here are four guys I’m telling you right now I think belong in the NFL. Maybe a year away, but they belong there. It’s not like, “So you’re saying there’s a chance?” I wish. Wasn’t that Dumb and Dumber the movie? But it’s not like with some guys you’re like, “So you’re saying there’s a chance?” No, we’re saying this guy belongs. He just needs to keep his head down, mouth shut, work hard. let the god-given skills that he has developed continue to improve and use his brain because Dodson has got football IQ. Now come to Jordan Humphrey, another corner. I think they keep him. He’s got a little something something. I don’t think he’s ready for the 53 man. I think he could be. You know, some of these guys I’m like, “No, they’re they’re they’re 53 man quality players.” Hi, Dexter. Oh, Dexter just woke up from a nap. Here you go, buddy. If you’ll just wait a minute. Soon as daddy’s done with the podcast, you can go outside and see mama. Okay. Okay. Just a minute. Sorry about that. I’m not sorry, though. I love my boy. And uh but I got to tell you, I I really like, you know, some of these guys you’re like, “Okay, yeah, they’re 53man guys. You can see it. They may be a year away, but but they’re they’re NFL roster players.” Then there are some guys, well, you know, they’ve got enough skills that they could become that I got Humphrey here. Those type of guys is how strong is their want to? Are they willing to just dig in and make it happen? The next guy I really like, this guy belongs in the NFL. Okay, I want to make that point clear. I I don’t know if he can make it on the Raiders this year to start the season. Would not be shocked if he was brought up in the middle of the year, but this is Cody Lindenburgg. This kid’s a 53man roster player. He’s got a future in the National Football League. He’s not one of these. So, you’re saying there’s a chance? No, he’s not that guy. He’s a player. And he and and he’s got some things he has to improve on obviously already been picked higher in the draft and not been a UDFA. But I told you people had a UDFA grade on I mean had a a gradable a draftable grade on him. He’s got things he has to improve like every rookie. But he belongs in the National Football League. To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never met his family, but if if any of his family watches this, you need to let that young man know, keep your head down, mouth shut, work hard. Some of these guys on this practice squad or some of these guys on the bottom of this roster are hoping for an NFL dream. Cody Bloombergs isn’t a dream. He belongs there. Got some things he’s got to improve, but this young man can play in the National Football League. Great kid, great great potential of a player. The 16th guy is another linebacker that I really really like. He’s a guy that m went to Indiana, but remember he came with Signetti. He tore it up at Indiana. Wasn’t as good as Lindenburgg, but they’re different linebackers, so that’s not When I say not as good, the stats aren’t the same, but they play different linebacker positions, so that’s not abnormal. This guy, I think, can play in this league, but having played at a lower level of competition for so long, he’s going to have to prove some stuff. I think he’s a year away. Could be six months, could be a mid-season guy that comes up and really contributes on special teams and like IPM and grows into that. Several of these guys remind me of IPM. IPM when he first came out was not ready. Now he’s in he’s a great safety in this league. He had all the talent. He had the want to. He had to mature into who he is today. Totally. Jaylen Walker. I like the kid a lot. I like that kid. You put on his tape and it’s just reality. You can see this guy’s an NFL player. Got some things he needs to take care of like IPM, but he’s a player. Now, some of these guys have a chance to get on the roster if they show out in preeason on special teams. Then the Raiders may be like, “All right, we’re going to let this veteran go and keep this kid because he’s so valuable and so good on special teams. Why he matures into a full player?” Robert Splain did that. Cody Lindenberg, that could be your key to the big one. But very interesting. Love me some Jaylen Walker. And the last one is a safety. Hudson Clark. You guys know I’ve told you about Hudson. I had people tell me if he doesn’t become NFL executives. He doesn’t become a a player in this league, he is going to be a coach, super smart player, a terrific safety, very headsy, plays outside of his head. What does that mean? Is it means he’s No, it means he’s super smart and he can look here and play there to there. Peripheral vision, great footwork. this kid. Uh, again, different style of safety, but boy, you you could see it in him like you saw in IPM. I love me some Hudson Clark. So, there you go. That’s my projected practice squad. I love to hear your thoughts. I still think there’s a chance. It is very fluid. I think a couple of these guys could play themselves under the 53 and some new guys be brought in, but these are some guys you need to be watching a lot in camp. When you hear us talking about them, don’t don’t minimize it. Don’t minimize it. These could be your Raider stars of the future. Look at IPM. It’s going to be fascinating to watch. Thanks everybody for watching today. I appreciate you. Remember, join us tomorrow where we’ll talk about the initial part one of a three-part series projecting the 53man roster. Thanks for joining me.

Projecting the Raiders Practice Squad for 20225 #raiders #raidernation #lasvegasraiders #nflrookies