Raiders: Final 53-man roster projection after the 2022 preseason
Raiders: Final 53-man roster projection after the 2022 preseason
Secondary
Cornerback – 5 (45)
- Rock Ya-Sin
- Trayvon Mullen
- Nate Hobbs
- Anthony Averett
- Darius Phillips
Analysis: The Raiders aren’t used to having a deep cornerback rotation, but that should all change this year.
Anthony Averett signed a one-year deal with the Raiders during free agency and has brought a swagger to the secondary that cannot be ignored. In 2021, Averett surrendered the lowest passer rating leaguewide through the first month of football (41.7). At the season’s end, Pro Football Focus ranked Averett as the 10th best cornerback in press coverage.
Darius Phillips did enough in the preseason to earn his roster spot. He proved his value on special teams frequently and allowed a passer rating of only 66.3. The Raiders’ run defense was bad during the preseason, but Phillips posted an elite grade of 86.2 in that category.
There’s an undrafted free agent that some of Raider Nation may be disappointed to not see on here, but I’ll touch on that soon.
Safety – 4 (49)
- Trevon Moehrig
- Johnathan Abram
- Duron Harmon
- Roderic Teamer
Analysis: This is a tight safety group that houses multiple specialists. Moehrig and Harmon excel in coverage while Abram and Teamer wait to lay the hammer on ball carriers that cross their path.
Some feel Abram’s time as a Raider is coming to an end, but I don’t see it – at least not until the end of the season. I can see a lot of unexpected things happening. Trayvon Mullen being moved in the upcoming weeks wouldn’t surprise me. Johnathan Hankins not making the team despite being needed wouldn’t surprise me. The Raiders parting with Abram through the 2022 season, though? That’s something I wouldn’t see coming.
Abram has continued to improve each season, lowering his missed tackle percentage and penalties committed. Abram is not only becoming a player in terms of skill, but he’s also becoming a smarter player. One who isn’t getting flagged for bonehead mistakes, and one who’s beginning to understand he can’t be so reckless with his body. Still, he is a major liability in coverage, and Harmon could take his starting job for that reason.
Teamer resigned with the Raiders later in the offseason, agreeing to a one-year deal with the team. Personally, I like his chances to return to the active roster.