Raiders 53-man roster projection after preseason opener

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 03: Orleans Darkwa No. 26 of the New York Giants is tackled by BruceIrvin No. 51 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 03: Orleans Darkwa No. 26 of the New York Giants is tackled by BruceIrvin No. 51 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Defensive Line (8): Mario Edwards Jr., Maurice Hurst Jr., PJ Hall, Bruce Irvin, Khalil Mack, Justin Ellis, Arden Key, Tank Carradine

The best overall player on the Raiders is defensive end Khalil Mack, and the only problem with that, is the fact that he is not with the team this summer. Mack is holding out for a new deal, and while some feel the Raiders may trade him, I think there is no way he is not in the Silver and Black in Week 1.

Bruce Irvin is moving to defensive end full-time in 2018, and he will be the starter on the opposite side of Mack. In the middle, the Raiders have the most depth they have had in a long time, and the rookies were certainly on display on Friday night against the Lions.

PJ Hall not only batted a ball down, but also made his first sack at the NFL level. Fellow rookie Maurice Hurst Jr. got solid pressure when he was in the game, and that was something that has definitely been lacking in recent years. Those two, along with Justin Ellis and Mario Edwards Jr. will be the four defensive tackles.

Tank Carradine should make the roster as well, providing veteran depth at the defensive end position. Arden Key did not play Friday, but he is a big part of the Raiders future plans, and has proven to be an absolute freak during practice early in training camp.

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