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
After Miller had the upper hand in the first preseason game, O\u2019Connell was the better quarterback last weekend. However, both threw bad interceptions against the 49ers, which makes the backup job in Las Vegas an interesting one to keep tabs on over the next few weeks.<\/p>\n
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 07: Dylan Laube #23 of the Las Vegas Raiders scores a touchdown against Drake Thomas #42 of the Seattle Seahawks during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Starter: Ashton Jeanty<\/p>\n Backups: Raheem Mostert, Zamir White*, Sincere McCormick<\/p>\n Cut: Dylan Laube, Chris Collier<\/p>\n Backups: Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, Dylan Laube*<\/p>\n Cut: Sincere McCormick, Chris Collier<\/p>\n The coaching staff seems like what White brings to the table over McCormick, as the former is reportedly in a battle for the RB2 role with Mostert. Meanwhile, Laube offers more special teams value and has played well on special teams in both preseason games. That could make McCormick a bit of a surprise cut.<\/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 Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont\u2019e Thornton Jr.<\/p>\n Backups: Jack Bech, Tommy Mellott, Alex Bachman*<\/p>\n Cut: Shedrick Jackson*, Collin Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, Justin Shorter, Marquez Callaway, Ketron Jackson Jr.<\/p>\n That sixth wide receiver spot is an interesting one, and it wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see the Raiders roll with only five wideouts. While Jackson had a strong performance in Seattle, he was quiet against San Francisco. Meanwhile, Bachman offers value as a blocker in the running game, and the coaching staff might want to have a more experienced player to turn to off the bench if they opt to keep six receivers.<\/p>\n Starter: Brock Bowers<\/p>\n Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas<\/p>\n Cut: Qadir Ismail, Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam*<\/p>\n Already Cut: Pat Conroy<\/p>\n Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas<\/p>\n Cut: Qadir Ismail, Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam*<\/p>\n No changes at tight end since there doesn\u2019t appear to be any position battles here. The only \u201csurprise\u201d at tight end would be if the coaching staff decides to roster four players. Ismail and Runyon seem like decent practice squad candidates, though.<\/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 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 There are no changes here, except for moving the asterisk to Tasi, who has been impressive in the two preseason games. It\u2019s just a matter of whether the organization is willing to risk him getting claimed on waivers, but it makes more sense to take advantage of the extra practice squad spot for him. Otherwise, there shouldn\u2019t be too much drama on the offensive line, unless Munfored and\/or Cappa emerge as a surprise cut.<\/p>\n Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) celebrates after a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/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 Starters: Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce<\/p>\n Backups: Tyree Wilson, Charles Snowden<\/p>\n Cut: Jah Joyner, Andre Carter II*, Ovie Oghoufo, Jahfari Harvey<\/p>\n I was a little bold previously by having Joyner make the team, but he hasn\u2019t done much in the first two preseason games. Meanwhile, Snowden and Carter have been better and are veterans whom the coaching staff likely trusts more. The undrafted rookie seems like a good candidate for the practice squad, though.<\/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 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 Fotu\u2019s injury has given Pegues a chance to prove himself at nose tackle (Fotu returned to practice Tuesday), and the rookie has looked solid in that role over the last two weeks. Barring an injury, it feels like defensive tackle is another position group that\u2019s pretty solidified heading into the regular season, meaning it\u2019s hard to see any changes during cutdown day.<\/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 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 How many linebackers Las Vegas keeps is up for debate. It could be as many as seven or as few as five. It feels like we\u2019re in for a surprise here, and that could be a decision between White and Adams.<\/p>\n HENDERSON, NEVADA – JULY 31: Darien Porter #26 of the Las Vegas Raiders intercepts a pass intended for Tommy Mellott #19 of the Raiders during the team\u2019s training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters\/Intermountain Health Performance Center on July 31, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/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 Starters: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter<\/p>\n Backups: Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes, Kyu Blu Kelly<\/a><\/p>\n Cut: Greedy Vance*, Sam Webb, John Humphrey, JT Woods<\/p>\n That second starting spot is still up for grabs, but it seems like the Raiders know which five cornerbacks they\u2019ll keep on the 53-man roster. Vance was one of my early picks to make the team as a UDFA, but he hasn\u2019t played well in his limited opportunities during the preseason<\/a>. The USC product should have a spot on the practice squad, though.<\/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 Starters: Jeremy Chinn (nickel), Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II<\/p>\n Backups: Lonnie Johnson Jr.* (injured), Thomas Harper<\/p>\n Cut: Terrell Edmunds*, Trey Taylor, Hudson Clark<\/p>\n Safety could get interesting if the Raiders have Johnson begin the season on PUP, which is likely since he broke a fibula at the beginning of camp. Edmunds should be the beneficiary of that situation, as he\u2019s competing with Smith for the third safety spot. Meanwhile, Harper has been banged up recently and has only taken one snap in the preseason, putting him on the chopping block.<\/p>\n Long Snapper: Jacob Bobenmoyer<\/p>\n I\u2019m pretty confident in this one!<\/p>\n![\"Dylan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/gettyimages-2229024013.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Charles](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/imagn-25049118.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Darien](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/gettyimages-2227909380.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n