Raiders: Final 53-man roster projection after the 2022 preseason
Raiders: Final 53-man roster projection after the 2022 preseason
Special Teams and additional possibilities
Special teams – 3 (52)
- Daniel Carlson (kicker)
- A.J. Cole (punter)
- Trent Sieg (long snapper)
Analysis: This is pretty open and shut. The Raiders’ elite trio of special teamers has been a strength of this team since the beginning. Daniel Carlson has yet to miss a field goal at Allegiant Stadium and was a major factor in the Raiders’ breaking the NFL record for most last-second victories during the ’21 season. A.J. Cole was a first-team All-Pro last season.
Additional possibilities
You may have noticed there are only 52 roster spots accounted for out of the maximum 53. There’s a reason for that.
There are several different ways the Raiders could approach the final roster cuts, and given there’s a brand new offensive and defensive scheme, I thought it best to give different ways the team can attack this.
That said, here are some guys that make a lot of sense for that 53rd spot.
- Brittain Brown
Analysis: It seems unlikely the Raiders will carry 6 running backs (5 halfbacks + Jakob Johnson), but it’s far from impossible. Not only is this still a reasonable number, but Brown has just been so impressive during the latter half of the preseason. Brown led all Raiders’ players in rushing yardage during each of the final 3 contests, finding the end zone twice. The team selected Brown under the impression he was the best player available at the time, and they may have been right.
- Jacob Hollister
Analysis: Jesper Horsted seems to have completely overtaken the TE3 job, but that doesn’t mean the Raiders won’t carry four right ends. If they do, red zone threat and Josh McDaniels’ scheme veteran Jacob Hollister is a perfect fit.
- Jackson Barton
Analysis: Carrying 9 offensive linemen is a lot these days, much less the 10 Barton would bring the total to, but the Raiders truly do need all the offensive line help they can get. Against the Patriots on Friday, Barton was responsible for only one pressure on 35 pass-blocking snaps.
- Neil Farrell Jr.
Analysis: A lot of this goes back to what was mentioned in the defensive tackle analysis. The defensive tackle unit is the biggest mystery on the roster, and Farrell is a big reason why. Will he make the team with fellow rookie Matthew Butler? Will he make the team instead of Butler? Will either of them be on the 53-man? I just don’t know. While on the subject, don’t rule out super-sleeper Kyle Peko, either.
- Sam Webb
Analysis: Webb making the team will be dependent on how many cornerbacks the Raiders choose to carry. If five, it’s hard to imagine Webb isn’t on the outside looking in. However, if the team elects to carry six – a strong possibility given Patrick Graham’s strong desire to carry an abundance of capable corners – Webb should earn a spot with ease, beating out Amik Robertson who continues to disappoint.