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Oakland Raiders: Updated 53-man Roster Projection

By Nick Hjeltness

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is greeted by teammates during player introductions before a NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is greeted by teammates during player introductions before a NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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53-man Roster Projection: Defensive Line

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) leaves the field against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 47-14. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) leaves the field against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 47-14. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Defensive Line: Khalil Mack, Dan Williams, Mario Edwards Jr., Justin Ellis, Denico Autry, Stacy McGee, Leon Orr, Jihad Ward, James Cowser, Drew Iddings, Branden Jackson, Darius Latham, Greg Townsend Jr., Derek Lott.

This is a talented group, with more than nine players worth of a roster spot — the standard number of defensive linemen on a 53-man roster.

Cowser is listed as LB/DE, but we’ll just include him here.

First Cut: Towsend Jr., Lott.

Lott, a DT out of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, is a recent addition to the 90-man roster. He was signed when Roy Helu was released with an injury settlement.

Townsend Jr. made a couple of plays in the preseason, but competition has been stiff and others have played better.

Second Cut: Cowser, Iddings, Jackson.

Cowser is considered a strong candidate to make the 53-man roster. He was a camp standout and played well in the first game, but disappeared in the second game and was a no-show in the third game.

Iddings and Jackson have both played really well, particularly getting after the quarterback. All three of these players are practice squad candidates.

Who makes the team: Mack, Williams, Edwards Jr., Ellis, Autry, McGee, Orr, Ward, Latham.

Cowser was considered the guy to beat amongst the front-seven UDFA’s, but Latham outplayed him in each preseason game.

Also, Mario might miss at least two games in the regular season, which frees up some space for Latham to contribute.

Next: 53-man Roster Projection: LB

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