Oakland Raiders Week 1 53-man roster projection v.4

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on prior to the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on prior to the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Tahir Whitehead #59 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Tahir Whitehead #59 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Linebackers (6): Tahir Whitehead, Marquel Lee, Vontaze Burfict, Brandon Marshall, Nicholas Morrow, Te’von Coney

The Raiders linebacker core has a good mix of young players and veteran, all impressive in their own way. Vontaze Burfict appears to be the leader that this defense needed, along with iron man Tahir Whitehead, and veteran Brandon Marshall.

Between Nicholas Morrow, Te’von Coney, Jason Cabinda, and Marquel Lee, the Raiders will more than likely have to make a tough decision. Based off of their skill sets, and what they bring to the table, I believe the Raiders will role with Coney over Cabinda as the team’s backup middle linebacker in 2019.

Morrow, Coney, Cabinda, and Lee all still need to prove themselves, and I would not be surprised with any of these players not making the Raiders 53-man roster for Week 1. Jon Gruden really likes Coney, but Morrow has shown the ability to get to the quarterback, and use his speed to fly around the field.

Lee and Cabinda have played fairly similar this preseason.