Raiders: Final 53-man roster projection after the 2022 preseason
Raiders: Final 53-man roster projection after the 2022 preseason
Offensive Skill Positions
Quarterback – 2 (2)
- Derek Carr
- Jarrett Stidham
Analysis: Although Garbers looked fine in the preseason, two quarterbacks are the norm these days. After all, Nick Mullens wasn’t cut for no reason after he lost the QB2 job. If no team offers the rookie quarterback a spot on their active roster, it makes sense for the Raiders to offer Garbers a spot on the practice squad.
Running back – 5 (7)
- Josh Jacobs
- Zamir White
- Brandon Bolden
- Ameer Abdullah
- Jakob Johnson (FB)
Analysis: Ameer Abdullah took Kenyan Drake’s ‘little bit of everything role in the offense while Drake was nursing an injury and never looked back. In the end, this led to Drake being the odd man out in the running back room and ultimately being cut.
Including the now-cut Demarcus Robinson, the Raiders added 10 players to the offense via free agency. Of those 10, Brandon Bolden was the only one with a multi-year deal. In fact, of the 20 players brought in by the Raiders this season, Bolden is 1-of-3 players to score a multi-year deal.
There’s the possibility Las Vegas carries 6 backs, but we’ll revisit that subject later on.
Wide receiver – 6 (13)
- Davante Adams
- Hunter Renfrow
- Mack Hollins
- Keelan Cole
- Tyron Johnson
- D.J. Turner
Analysis: Tyron Johnson and D.J. Turner were on the outside looking in when Demarcus Robinson was on the roster, but through sensational camps and preseason campaigns, that has all changed. Not only does the pair now have an excellent shot at making the active roster, but the two have been so impressive that the team moved on from Robinson without thinking twice.
Some people, myself included, are suspicious of Keelan Cole’s future with the team. It isn’t that Cole has had a rough camp, but rather the other 5 around him have been spectacular. Still, the chances Las Vegas carries 6 receivers sits right with me, especially given Turner’s ability as a returner.
Tight end – 3 (16)
- Darren Waller
- Foster Moreau
- Jesper Horsted
Analysis: Raise your hand if you had Horsted making the active roster when the Raiders signed him for a minimum in early June. I better not see any hands in the air.
Horsted has proved to be a vertical threat and at times a matchup nightmare, totaling 5 receptions for 88 yards in the final two preseason contests. Before Horsted’s emergence, I would’ve marked Jacob Hollister as the team’s third tight end. Things are different now, but as stated with running backs, the possibility of carrying an additional tight end (4 total) exists. Again, we’ll revisit that subject later on.