Oakland Raiders: Updated 53-man Roster Projection

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: Secondary

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) reacts in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) reacts in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The CB’s: Sean Smith, David Amerson, T.J. Carrie, D.J. Hayden, Neiko Thorpe, Dexter McDonald, Tramain Jacobs, Chris Edwards, Kenneth Durden, Antonio Hamilton.

The Safeties: Karl Joseph, Reggie Nelson, Nate Allen, Keith McGill, Chris Hackett, Jimmy Hall, Dewey McDonald, Brynden Trawick.

Trawick is officially listed as a safety, but like Bates and Toomer, he is considered a core special teams player.

First Cut: Edwards, Durden, Hall, Jacobs.

The top six cornerbacks are set, as are the top three safeties, so don’t expect to be surprised here.

These four are a step below the rest of the group.

Second Cut: Hamilton, Hackett, Dewey McDonald.

Hamilton sticks around for a bit thanks to his return ability, but the team is already set with six cornerbacks. Practice squad seems like a good fit.

Hackett didn’t get much run at safety, so he misses the cut.

Dewey stood out in camp, but a rough preseason results in him being let go.

CB’s that make the team: Smith, Amerson, Carrie, Hayden, Thorpe, Dexter McDonald.

No surprises here.

Safeties that make the team: Joseph, Nelson, Allen, McGill, Trawick.

The fourth safety spot is up for grabs, as it could be either McGill, McDonald, or Trawick.

Ultimately, I think McGill ends up with the fourth safety spot, but Trawick also sticks thanks to his special teams contribution.

That leaves Dewey as the odd man out.

Next: 53-man Roster Projection: ST

Schedule