Early Projections for Oakland Raiders' Final 53-Man Roster
Now that the draft and free agency are mostly over, the picture of what the Oakland Raiders' roster will look like next season has started to take shape.
There's a long way to go before next season, and lots of questions about the roster won't be answered until training camp. Once the new coaching staff begins to implement the new offensive and defensive game plans, the expectations of the roster will become clearer.
But the additions that the team has made so far are enough to give an indication about what direction the roster is going at every position.
Here's an early look at what the 2015 version of the Raiders could look like.
The Practice Squad
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Getting down to 53 players means that a lot of difficult cuts will have to be made. Ultimately, the roster will consist of players who can contribute right now. If a player needs more time to develop, he won't make the final cut.
While many of these players might not be able to contribute now, they could potentially do so in the future, making them prime candidates for the practice squad.
Andre Debose (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner)
A wide receiver by trade, Debose's role in the NFL is most likely that of a return man. Given the options that Oakland currently has at wide receiver, it would be difficult to give a spot to a player who's only returning kicks. However, if he can prove he's dangerous enough as a returner and work on his skills as a wide receiver for a year, it could justify a spot on the final roster next season.
Michael Dyer (Running Back)
The running back depth chart in Oakland is unsettled, but it's also crowded. Dyer has made his way onto the roster after a hectic college career. He hasn't been a significant contributor to a football team since 2011 while at Auburn. He's certainly a project. But a year on the practice squad could help him rediscover his immense talent.
Neiron Ball (Linebacker)
Ball underwent microfracture surgery last November, and it remains to be seen how close he is to 100 percent. Given all that he's been through, you can't help but root for him. He has a nonstop motor on the field, but he's at a disadvantage in Oakland. He's recovering from major surgery while trying to find a spot at a stacked position. He's a great candidate for the practice squad as it would give him time to recover fully.
Quarterback
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Starter: Derek Carr
This one is a no-brainer. The Raiders have placed their hopes for finally escaping the NFL basement in large part on Carr's shoulders. That was clear last season when he won the starting job as a rookie, and it became even more evident given the approach the team took in the draft by adding two major receiving weapons (WR Amari Cooper, TE Clive Walford) in the first three rounds.
The Raiders hope that Carr is the starter not just in 2015 but for the next decade. Barring an unforeseen event, Carr is the guaranteed starter for the upcoming season.
Second String: Christian Ponder
Ponder's time as a starter for the Minnesota Vikings didn't work out—he won only 14 of 36 games as a starter, according to Pro Football Reference. But he does offer a key trait that teams look for in a backup quarterback: experience. He's not expected to carry the offense for any extended period of time, but he has the physical tools and experience to be effective for a game here and there if necessary.
Third String: Cody Fajardo
A lot of things have to happen for a third-string quarterback to see the field. As we saw last year, the third-stringer will often not even be active on game days. It's a good place to stash a quarterback with some future potential.
For this reason, Fajardo gets the nod over Matt McGloin. While he has potential as a career backup, McGloin has already shown his ceiling, and it isn't high. While Fajardo doesn't have the most impressive arm, he has more to offer athletically and potentially has a higher ceiling.
Running Back
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Starter: Latavius Murray
Murray lost his entire rookie season to injury, and he began his second year in the league buried on the depth chart behind veterans Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. But toward the end of last season when he finally started to get more touches, Murray showed just how much damage he can do. The ability to run between the tackles and to the outside combined with true breakaway speed make him the best option to be Oakland's every-down running back.
Second String: Trent Richardson
Richardson is expected to compete for the starting job, but his entire career up to this point has been a disappointment. If he returns to his college form, he has a real chance to start. But until he shows that his performance has truly improved, he can't be depended on.
Reserves: Roy Helu Jr., Marcel Reece
- Helu Jr. is a capable runner, but he's made more of a name for himself as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He won't start, but he should still be heavily involved in the offense.
- The Raiders are expected to phase out the true fullback position in 2015, which leaves Reece without a position. He has too much to offer to simply be cut, though. That leaves the responsibility on the coaches to figure out a way to make use of Reece's abilities.
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Wide Receiver
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Starters: Amari Cooper, Rod Streater
As a rookie, Cooper still has to earn the starting job. But he has a few of things going for him: He's supremely talented, he's pro-ready, and the depth chart around doesn't offer much in the way of competition. He'll win a starting job, and he's the leading candidate to begin the season as Oakland's No. 1 receiver.
The second starting spot will come down to Streater and Michael Crabtree, and Streater should come out on top. He can stretch the field, has good hands and is an underrated route-runner. A legitimate threat as a No. 1 receiver, he'll be an excellent second option.
Reserves: Michael Crabtree, Andre Holmes, Brice Butler, Josh Harper
- Crabtree will lead the reserves as the third/slot receiver. He has good hands in tight spaces, which will make him perfect for the role. He technically won't be a starter, but he'll still see plenty of playing time. That'll be important for a receiver who has allowed his ego to overshadow his talent too often in his career.
- Holmes showed a lot of promise in 2014 as the team's No. 1 receiver, but he just isn't reliable enough. Too many passes throw in his direction ended up as incompletions. Still, he has great size and speed, so he's still a dangerous offensive weapon as a deep threat.
- Disclaimer: I've been on the Brice Butler bandwagon for a long time. But his spot here isn't just a matter of bias. He has good size, hands and excellent speed. For some inexplicable reason, despite the potential he showed on the field, Dennis Allen and Tony Sparano both passed over Butler in favor of guys like Kenbrell Thompkins and Vincent Brown. Expect Jack Del Rio to make the right choice and give Butler the opportunity he's earned.
- Harper was added as an undrafted free agent, but his time with Carr at Fresno State will go a long way. They have pre-existing quarterback/wide receiver chemistry, so he should be able to get comfortable in the offense easier than an average rookie. He's also a disciplined route-runner with dangerous after-the-catch ability.
Tight End
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Starter: Clive Walford
Walford is the every-down tight end that Oakland has been looking for since the departure of Zach Miller. He's an effective blocker on both passing and running plays, and he's a dangerous receiver. It'll be a tight competition between Walford and Mychal Rivera, but the rookie should come out on top.
Reserves: Mychal Rivera, Lee Smith, Brian Leonhardt
- Rivera will lose a tough battle for the starting job to Walford, but that doesn't mean that he won't still be an important part of the offense. The biggest issue for Rivera continues to be his subpar blocking ability. In 2015, he'll be most often used as a receiving tight end, which will allow him to maximize the strongest area of his game.
- Smith was brought in for one thing and one thing only: to block. It's not a glamorous role, but he does it very well. His contributions won't show up on the stat sheet, but they'll play a big part in improving both the running and the passing game.
- If injuries move him up the depth chart, Leonhardt is a capable blocker, and he has some pass-catching ability. But a likelier scenario is that he sees all of his playing time on special teams.
Offensive Line
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Starters: LT Donald Penn, LG Gabe Jackson, C Rodney Hudson, RG Khalif Barnes, RT Austin Howard
The Raiders offensive line is set at three positions: center (Rodney Hudson), left guard (Gabe Jackson) and left tackle (Donald Penn). Hudson, the big name of Oakland's 2015 free agency, is a lock. Jackson had an impressive rookie season, and he likely secured the left guard spot for the foreseeable future. After some disappointing play to end his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Penn returned to his solid form in 2014, and he's set at left tackle.
Right guard and right tackle remain in doubt, but veterans Barnes and Howard will settle in at right guard and right tackle, respectively, to start the season. Barnes is likely to be a placeholder until rookie Jon Feliciano can take over at some point in the season. Howard, on the other hand, should settle in as a permanent starter.
Reserves: Jon Feliciano, Menelik Watson, Matt McCants
- Feliciano was drafted to solve Oakland's problem at right guard. He still has some development to go through, and that process will likely continue through the beginning of the season. However, he should step in as the starter at some point.
- Watson was raw when the Raiders drafted him, and he hasn't shown enough progress since then. In camp, he'll be in a battle with Howard for the starting job, and he'll have every opportunity to win the job. But until he shows significant progress, he'll remain a reserve.
- McCants isn't a threat to start, but he is a solid backup at tackle. It's the role he had last season, and it'll be where he fits in the lineup next season.
Defensive Line
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Starters: LDE Justin Tuck, NT Justin Ellis, DT Dan Williams, RDE Mario Edwards Jr.
As long as he's a Raider, Tuck will be a starter. Rookie Edwards was drafted to start opposite of Tuck, and he has the advantage of not really having any competition for the job. Given his freakish physical abilities, he has the potential to be a real terror off the edge.
It'll be interesting to see how the coaching staff handles the interior of the defensive line. Ellis and Williams are the two best defensive tackles on the roster. The problem is that they both specialize in stopping the run, which means that the team will have to figure out a way to generate a pass rush up the middle.
Reserves: C.J. Wilson, Max Valles, Benson Mayowa, Stacy McGee
- Wilson has the potential to fill the role left by the departed Antonio Smith as a jack-of-all-trades, capable of filling in at both defensive end and defensive tackle. While not spectacular in any one area, he can create pressure on the quarterback from both positions, making him a valuable asset for the defense.
- Valles is a work in progress. An outside linebacker in college, he'll move to defensive end for Oakland. As of now, he's primarily a pass-rusher, so he's somewhat limited. But he has the potential to contribute as a rookie on passing downs.
- While with the Seattle Seahawks, Mayowa gave the impression of a player on the verge a major breakthrough. He was let go during the final round of roster cuts, and the Raiders quickly scooped him up. In Oakland, he found himself in a similar situation. Jack Del Rio and Ken Norton Jr. should be able to get Mayowa to finally play to his full potential.
- McGee is a true defensive tackle, which should make him a primary backup at the position. However, the versatility of Wilson and Edwards, who can both play on the inside and on the outside, could cost McGee playing time. Still, as a true defensive tackle, he'll be an asset to the roster.
Linebacker
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Starters: SLB Khalil Mack, MLB Curtis Lofton, WLB Sio Moore
The Oakland linebacking corps is set...for now. Mack, Lofton and Moore have the potential to be a solid all-around group against both the run and the pass, which will be a huge improvement from last season.
The question is whether or not Mack will still be a linebacker by the time next season starts. Jack Del Rio suggested back in March that a move to defensive end for Mack would be "natural for him." It's an option that is being seriously considered. However, until a move becomes official, Mack is a lock to be Oakland's starting strong-side linebacker.
Reserves: Malcolm Smith, Ben Heeney, Ray-Ray Armstrong
- Smith struggled to find playing time while with the Seattle Seahawks as part of a crowded linebacking corps. He finds himself in a similar position in Oakland, where the starting jobs are all spoken for. However, if the team does in fact move Mack to defensive end, Smith will be his likely replacement at linebacker.
- Heeney gives the Oakland defense something it desperately needed in 2014: a true backup at middle linebacker. While he's a bit undersized (6'0", 231 lbs) for the position, he knows it well. He should see plenty of action on special teams, but he'll also give the coaches the peace of mind of knowing that they have depth at middle linebacker.
- Armstrong was forced to take on additional responsibility last season due to injuries. Now that the starting spots have been solidified, he can settle in as a reserve, a role he's suited for.
Cornerback
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Starters: D.J. Hayden, T.J. Carrie
It's a make-or-break year for Hayden. Now entering his third year as a pro, he's yet to play a full season. Injuries have not only hampered his play but also his development. He'll be Oakland's top cornerback in 2015, and this will likely be his last chance to prove he's capable of doing the job.
After being surprisingly effective as a rookie, Carrie will be the second starting cornerback. He has good size, he's quick, and he has the ability to break on the ball and make a play. If Carrie and Hayden both play up to their full potential, they could be a solid starting pair.
Reserves: Keith McGill, Neiko Thorpe, James Dockery, Dexter McDonald
- McGill spent most of his rookie season on special teams. Injuries forced him into playing at cornerback, and he showed some real potential. He won't start, but he'll have a big opportunity to earn some major playing time.
- Thorpe has the potential of becoming a much more well-known name in 2015. That's not to say that he'll be a superstar. But in an increasingly pass-happy league, the fourth cornerback on the roster has become even more important. Thorpe will have that job and that responsibility.
- Dockery won't see much time at cornerback, but he will be a key member of special teams.
- McDonald has a lot of potential. He also has a lot to learn in order to consistently compete at the next level. He has youth and physical tools on his side, which will be enough to earn the final cornerback spot.
Safety
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Starters: FS Charles Woodson, SS Nate Allen
This is likely Woodson's final season, and he'll spend it the way he's spent his entire career: as a starter. Still playing at a high level at age 38, he'll hold down the free safety position for one more year.
Free-agent acquisition Allen will join Woodson. The Raiders paid the former Philadelphia Eagles safety to perform at a high level, but whether he's capable of it remains a question. As CSNPhilly.com put it, "Allen finished his Eagles career with 324 tackles, four sacks, 10 interceptions, a ton of injuries and even more blown coverages." Allen can be very good, but it'll come down to whether or not he can stay healthy.
Reserves: Brandian Ross, Larry Asante, Jonathan Dowling
- Ross' first time around with Oakland was a struggle. But in 2014, his second stint with the team, he was much improved. The team can continue to benefit from his development as a player next season.
- Asante was a surprisingly effective player for the Raiders until he was injured. Like Ross, Asante is a player who can continue to develop within the organization.
- Dowling is the most intriguing safety on the roster. He's big (6'3") and has great range. Now entering his second season, he could push for playing time.
Special Teams
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Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski
Janikowski has been Oakland's kicker since the team selected him in the first round of the 2000 draft. His accuracy has occasionally been an issue throughout his career, but even at age 37, he still has one of strongest legs in the league.
Punter: Marquette King
Since taking over for Shane Lechler, King has done a good job of making Oakland fans forget the loss of one of the best punters in the history of the NFL. He still struggles at times with placement and consistency, but King is capable of getting great distance and hang time on every punt.
Long Snapper: Jon Condo
Arguably the single most underappreciated position in all of football, the long snapper is the guy no one cares about until he makes a mistake. Thanks to Condo, the Raiders don't have that problem. He's a reliable long snapper, and he'll continue in that role in 2015.
Breakdown of the Final 53
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| Offense | Defense | Special Teams | |||
| Quarterbacks | 3 | Linemen | 8 | Kicker | 1 |
| Running Backs | 4 | Linebackers | 6 | Punter | 1 |
| Wide Receivers | 6 | Cornerbacks | 6 | Long Snapper | 1 |
| Tight Ends | 4 | Safeties | 5 | ||
| Linemen | 8 | ||||
| Total | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Obviously, a lot can change between now and the start of the season. But what we can already see at this point is that much of the roster has already taken shape, especially as far as the starting lineup is concerned.
For the most part, the biggest position battles will be for depth positions, not for spots at the top of the depth chart. For a team like the Raiders that's had a roster perpetually in flux for years, that's a positive sign.
So far, we've only seen the rookies. Once the veterans get added into the mix, the overall picture of the roster will become much clearer.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats taken from NFL.com.
Who do you think is in? Who do you think is out? Let me know in the comments section below and on at Twitter @BrianJ_Flores.
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