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Five dark horses who could make the Raiders 53-man roster

By Robert Ortiz

Sep 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Isaac Whitney (15) carries the ball against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Isaac Whitney (15) carries the ball against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Breon Borders (31) during the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Duke wins 49-6 over North Carolina Central University. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Breon Borders (31) during the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Duke wins 49-6 over North Carolina Central University. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Breon Borders, CB, Duke

Let’s get some things out of the way quickly. About 98% of you have never heard of Breon Borders. That same amount has never seen him make plays in training camp. The flurry of love for Borders on twitter is both baffling and amusing, as a few Raiders tweeters posted praise from rookie mini-camp and every casual fan took hold and ran with it.

That being said, Borders is a productive three-year starter in the ACC, often facing off against elite wide receivers on a weekly basis. Many of the concerns with Borders lie with his long speed and ability in press-man coverage.

At his Pro Day, Borders assuaged concerns surrounding his long speed by running a 4.47 40, but an average showing in the 20-yard shuttle lends credence to the school of thought that his best fit would be in off-man/zone coverage. His instincts are ideal in zone coverage as well, as Borders posted 12 career INT’s and notched 26 pass breakups in his final two seasons.

If he can show an ability on special teams(a recurring theme in this post), expect Borders to push for a practice squad spot at the very least.

Sep 19, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Anthony Cioffi (31) intercepts a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (13) in the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Anthony Cioffi (31) intercepts a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (13) in the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Anthony Cioffi, S, Rutgers

One recurring them you may have seen in this article is special teams ability. For any undrafted rookie/mini-camp pickup, the best way to stick on a roster is by making an impact on special teams. That is one area in which Rutgers four-year starter Anthony Cioffi brings experience in spades.

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