{"id":286637,"date":"2025-08-14T05:23:33","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T05:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/286637\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T05:23:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T05:23:33","slug":"raiders-roster-projection-quarterback-controversy-brewing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/286637\/","title":{"rendered":"Raiders Roster projection: Quarterback controversy brewing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that the Las Vegas Raiders have one preseason game in the books, a 23-23 tie against the Seattle Seahawks, let\u2019s revisit the 53-man roster projection<\/a> with information gained in last Thursday\u2019s contest and training camp. The Raiders have also made a handful of additions and subtractions since the last projection, creating an extra element to the latest edition.<\/p>\n

As a reminder from last time:<\/p>\n

For simplicity, it\u2019s assumed that 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players and three specialists will make the roster in this exercise. That also can change as training camp goes on, as the coaching staff may decide to keep a different number of players at each position than what\u2019s listed below.<\/p>\n

To account for that, any player who has a star (*) next to their name means their status could change based on how many roster spots the coaching staff is allocating to that position. In other words, a \u2018backup\u2019 with a star is a \u2018cut\u2019 projection if the Raiders keep one fewer player than what\u2019s listed below and vice versa.<\/p>\n

Starter: Geno Smith<\/p>\n

Backups: Aidan O\u2019Connell, Cam Miller*<\/p>\n

Cut: no one<\/p>\n

Backups: Aidan O\u2019Connell*, Cam Miller<\/p>\n

The change here is subtle, shifting the asterisk from Miller to O\u2019Connell, as there\u2019s no denying who the better quarterback was in Seattle. Still, it makes the most sense for the coaching staff to keep three QBs on the roster, but O\u2019Connell could become expendable if the rookie continues to outplay him.<\/p>\n

Backups: Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick, Dylan Laube*<\/p>\n

Cut: Zamir White, Chris Collier<\/p>\n

Backups: Raheem Mostert, Zamir White*, Sincere McCormick<\/p>\n

Cut: Dylan Laube, Chris Collier<\/p>\n

The big change here is flipping White and Laube, as the coaching staff seems to like what they\u2019ve seen from White so far. However, Laube had an impressive outing in Seattle by showing up in the passing game and rushing attack offensively, in addition to making a nice tackle on special teams. That adds some intrigue to the running back room.<\/p>\n

\"Shedrick<\/a><\/p>\n

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 7: Shedrick Jackson #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders carries the ball during the fourth quarter of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 7, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont\u2019e Thornton Jr.<\/p>\n

Backups: Jack Bech, Tommy Mellott, Collin Johnson*<\/p>\n

Cut: Alex Bachman*, Shedrick Jackson, Phillip Dorsett, Ketron Jackson Jr., Kyle Philips, Seth Williams<\/p>\n

Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont\u2019e Thornton Jr.<\/p>\n

Backups: Jack Bech, Tommy Mellott, Shedrick Jackson*<\/p>\n

Cut: Alex Bachman*, Collin Johnson, Justin Shorter, Phillip Dorsett, Marquez Callaway, Ketron Jackson Jr.<\/p>\n

Already cut: Seth Williams, Kyle Philips, Kawaan Baker<\/p>\n

Wide receiver is one of the position groups that has already seen a handful of changes, including moving tight end Justin Shorter back to his natural position. Granted, most of the moves the front office has made shouldn\u2019t impact the 53-man roster much. The hot name out wide right now is Jackson, who was hands down the Raiders\u2019 best receiver last Thursday.<\/p>\n

Starter: Brock Bowers<\/p>\n

Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas<\/p>\n

Cut: Justin Shorter*, Qadir Ismail, Carter Runyon, Pat Conroy<\/p>\n

Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas<\/p>\n

Cut: Qadir Ismail, Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam*<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to see much drama going on at tight end this year, as the top three seem to be pretty set in stone. If the coaching staff opts to keep four, then things could get interesting. For what it\u2019s worth, Runyon took the most snaps on Thursday, but Okwuegbunam was recently added to the roster. The snap breakdown this Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers will be more noteworthy.<\/p>\n

Starters: Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Alex Cappa, DJ Glaze<\/p>\n

Backups: Thayer Munford Jr., Jordan Meredith, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant<\/p>\n

Cut: Will Putnam*, Jarrod Hufford<\/a>, Dalton Wagner, Gottlieb Ayedze, Parker Clements, Laki Tasi (IPP), Atonio Mafi<\/p>\n

Starters: Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze<\/p>\n

Backups: Thayer Munford Jr., Alex Cappa, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant<\/p>\n

Cut: Will Putnam*, Jarrod Hufford, Dalton Wagner, Gottlieb Ayedze, Parker Clements, Laki Tasi (IPP), Atonio Mafi<\/p>\n

Everyone is still trying to figure out what the hell is going on with Powers-Johnson<\/a>, but the nine offensive linemen who will make the team are hard to argue with. However, a surprise trade of JPJ could mix things up. That isn\u2019t to say one is coming, or even rumored to be on the table, but it does feel like this coaching staff isn\u2019t sold on the Oregon product.<\/p>\n

Starters: Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce<\/p>\n

Backups: Tyree Wilson, Jah Joyner<\/a><\/p>\n

Cut: Charles Snowden*, Andre Carter II, Ovie Oghoufo, Jahfari Harvey<\/p>\n

Starters: Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce<\/p>\n

Backups: Tyree Wilson, Jah Joyner<\/p>\n

Cut: Charles Snowden*, Andre Carter II, Ovie Oghoufo, Jahfari Harvey<\/p>\n

Las Vegas has a problem when it comes to edge depth, as the fourth spot is up for grabs. Also, Joyner, Snowden, Carter, Oghoufo and Harvey all earned grades from Pro Football Focus<\/a> below 60 in Seattle. Somebody needs to step up and take command of the position battle, soon.<\/p>\n

\"JJ<\/a><\/p>\n

HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 10: JJ Pegues #92 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs through a drill during mandatory minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters\/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on June 10, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Starters: Christian Wilkins (currently on PUP), Adam Butler<\/p>\n

Backups: Leki Fotu*, Zach Carter, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues<\/p>\n

Cut: Jonah Laulu, Treven Ma\u2019ae, Tank Booker<\/p>\n

Starters: Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu<\/p>\n

Backups: Zach Carter, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Thomas Booker IV*<\/p>\n

Cut: Keondre Coburn, Tank Booker, Leki Fotu*, Treven Ma\u2019ae<\/p>\n

Already Cut: Christian Wilkins<\/p>\n

Defensive tackle became a wideopen competition with the Wilkins situation, and Fotu\u2019s recent injury heats the battle at the bottom of the depth chart up even more. Laulu has been drawing plenty of praise and is now an expected starter, while Pegues showed some promise at nose tackle against the Seahawks. This competition is far from over though as the interior defensive line will be worth watching all preseason.<\/p>\n

Starters: Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts<\/p>\n

Backups: Devin White, Amari Gainer, Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg<\/p>\n

Cut: Jaylon Smith<\/a>*, Michael Barrett, Matt Jones<\/p>\n

Starters: Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts<\/p>\n

Backups: Devin White, Jamal Adams, Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Lindenberg<\/p>\n

Cut: Amari Gainer*, Jaylon Smith, Michael Barrett, Matt Jones<\/p>\n

For what it\u2019s worth, Adams was the Raiders best linebacker in the first preseason game<\/a> and, agruably, the team\u2019s best defender. That could help him push for a starting spot. Meanwhile, Gainer only got four snaps last Thursday, which could mean the new regime isn\u2019t as high on last season\u2019s preseason MVP.<\/p>\n

Starters: Darien Porter, Eric Stokes<\/p>\n

Backups: Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes<\/p>\n

Cut: Kyu Blu Kelly, Greedy Vance*, Sam Webb, John Humphrey, JT Woods<\/p>\n

Starters: Darien Porter, Eric Stokes<\/p>\n

Backups: Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes, Kyu Blu Kelly<\/p>\n

Cut: Greedy Vance*, Sam Webb, John Humphrey, JT Woods<\/p>\n

Already Cut\/Traded: Jakorian Bennett<\/p>\n

Kelly had an outsanding performance in Seattle which, combined with Bennett\u2019s departure, is enough to bump him up onto the roster. It helps that he can play nickel or on the outside. On a similar note, don\u2019t sleep on Vance earning a spot over Holmes.<\/p>\n

Starters: Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Thomas Harper (nickel)<\/p>\n

Backups: Lonnie Johnson Jr., Jamal Adams*<\/p>\n

Cut: Trey Taylor, Chris Smith II, Hudson Clark<\/p>\n

Starters: Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Thomas Harper (nickel)<\/p>\n

Backups: Lonnie Johnson Jr.* (injured), Chris Smith II<\/p>\n

Cut: Terrell Edmunds*, Trey Taylor, Hudson Clark<\/p>\n

Johnson suffered a broken fibula, which could make him a candidate to start the season on the PUP list, opening up a roster spot at safety. That\u2019s where Edmunds comes in, who was signed on Sunday<\/a>. Either way, the Raiders\u2019 defense lacks depth on the backend and need one of the guys to step up.<\/p>\n

Long snapper: Jacob Bobenmoyer<\/p>\n

This was an omission from the first edition (whoops!), but there isn\u2019t any drama here with only three specialists on the roster. In other words, you can just skip this section moving forward.<\/p>\n

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