Oakland Raiders 75-man Roster Breakdown: Safe/On The Bubble

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) celebrates after a safety against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) celebrates after a safety against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Middle-Ground

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Nate Allen (20) 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 safety Nate Allen (20) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Tier #3 is the middle-ground — players in-between comfortable and on the bubble. It would be a mild surprise if anyone here was released.

  • Nate Allen
  • T.J. Carrie
  • Andre Holmes
  • Johnny Holton
  • Darius Latham
  • Stacy McGee
  • Keith McGill
  • Neiko Thorpe
  • Korey Toomer
  • Matt McCants

Allen has been the first safety off the bench, but he’s been released once before, so it’s hard to think his job is all that secure. Plus, no dead money hit and if the team chose to get younger, he’d be an easy pick to be released.

A year ago, Carrie was comfortable. Two years ago, he’d be a lock. This year, he’s lost his job to D.J. Hayden, and is now in no man’s land.

The team likes Holmes, but at 28-years old, it’s clear what he brings to the table. With a few rookies who have impressed, it wouldn’t be the craziest thing if he was let go. But it’s not likely.

Holton and Latham are the two UDFA’s most likely to make the roster at this point. Both have excelled in the preseason, but they are considered middle-ground because they still have practice squad eligibility, which the team could use to try to stash either player. But making the 53-man roster is their most likely outcome.

McGill, Thorpe and McCants are all in the same boat. They are familiar with the team, but the only real reason they are sticking around is due to lack of talent to replace them.

Next: Raiders 75-man Roster Breakdown: On The Bubble