Raiders Players Who Need Impressive Camp to Avoid Being Cut

While the 2023 season certainly didn't unfold as the Las Vegas Raiders might have hoped, it did provide glimpses of promise late in the year. The Raiders began to find an identity in the final weeks and managed to record wins over all three divisional opponents.

Las Vegas will look to build on its momentum in 2024, though it hasn't been afraid to add a few new pieces to the mix. Players like Gardner Minshew, Christian Wilkins and rookie tight end Brock Bowers are expected to make an immediate impact this season.

Many of these new additions should also have secure roster spots, even if they disappoint after training camp opens on July 21. Other players, however, will be fighting for their jobs.

Teams are allowed to carry up to 90 players into camp but will have to trim that number to 53 players by August 27. With this in mind, let's examine three veterans who will need to impress in the coming weeks to make the final 53.

RB Ameer Abdullah

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 31: Ameer Abdullah #22 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates in the game against the Indianapolis Colts against the at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Running back Ameer Abdullah has been on the roster for each of the past two seasons. During that span, he has provided valuable backfield depth and held a role on special teams. While the 31-year-old has provided just 451 scrimmage yards to the offense, he's also played 481 special-teams snaps.

Special teams is important, but Abdullah will have to show that he can be an even bigger contributor to stick in 2024. Zamir White is the presumptive starter, and Las Vegas added both Alexander Mattison and rookie Dylan Laube this offseason.

Mattison struggled with efficiency last season (3.9 yards per carry) with the Minnesota Vikings but received $1.7 million guaranteed from the Raiders in free agency. Laube was only a sixth-round pick but has intriguing upside as a receiving back.

"Most of Laube's value is in the receiving game," Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote. "Thanks to his quick feet and short-area burst, Laube is a lethal receiver underneath."

If Abdullah is set to contribute only on special teams, he'll have a tough time making the final 53. Releasing him would trigger a dead-cap hit of only $850,000 while saving $1 million in 2024 cap space.

WR DJ Turner

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 12: Wide receiver DJ Turner #19 of the Las Vegas Raiders leaves the field after the Raiders' 16-12 victory over the New York Jets at Allegiant Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Wide receiver DJ Turne's roster spot over the past two seasons has been even more special-teams dependent than Abdullah's. The 2021 undrafted free agent spent his rookie season on injured reserve but played 31 percent of the special-teams snaps in 2022 and 65 percent last season during games in which he appeared (19 total).

Again, special-teams contributors are valuable, but Turner doesn't provide a lot elsewhere He returned two punts and four kickoffs in 2022 and has recorded just four carries and no receptions on offense.

Turner will have an even harder time carving out an offensive role this season, as Las Vegas added Michael Gallup and Jalen Guyton to a receiver room that already included Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker.

With Bowers, Michael Mayer and Harrison Bryant forming an impressive group of receiving tight ends, the Raiders may not keep a surplus of wideouts among the final 53.

Turner's best chance of sticking may come by showing that he can be a factor under the league's revised kickoff rules. The Raiders lost 2023 primary returner DeAndre Carter in free agency, so Turner might get a chance to compete as a return option. If he can't, the Raiders can save just under $1 million by releasing him.

CB Cornell Armstrong

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 24: Cornell Armstrong #22 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Releasing cornerback Cornell Armstrong would also save just under $1 million in cap space. However, his future is likely tied more to the value of a roster spot. The 28-year-old failed to earn one with the Raiders last season and spent the year on the practice squad before signing a reserve/futures contract in January.

Armstrong is likely to face even more of an uphill battle this summer after the Raiders drafted cornerbacks Decamerion Richardson and MJ Devonshire, in April. Las Vegas also added Woo Governor, Ja'Quan Sheppard and Rayshad Williams as undrafted free agents.

With Marcus Epps, Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett leading the cornerback room, Amstrong will likely need to shine on special teams to earn a roster spot. That's primarily where the 28-year-old played during stints with the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans, though he did play 372 defensive snaps with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022.

Amstrong allowed an opposing passer rating of 94.1 in coverage in 2022, and he doesn't have experience as an NFL returner, so he'll really have to separate himself as a special teamer to stick. Most likely, he'll be back on the practice squad or with another team by Week 1.

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*Contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.