This offseason felt like it took 1,000 years to get through, but training camp and the preseason have passed in the blink of an eye. Less than a week separates the Las Vegas Raiders from roster cutdown day, as this roster is about to get chopped down in a big way, from a current 89 players to a mere 53.
Before the team gets to that August 30 deadline, though, they will have a few more key practices and a preseason finale at home against the San Francisco 49ers. For some, it'll be their last time wearing the Silver and Black. For others, they won't have to suit up or play much at all to make this roster.
In reality, only a few players are really on the roster bubble at this point, as John Spytek and Klint Kubiak have surely sorted through most of the fluff. But a handful of players' futures actually hang in the balance as they take the field this week, with an active roster spot truly on the line for them.
But with time running out, these six Raiders need to make a handful of good final impressions, and fast.
6 Raiders who are running out of time to make the 53-man roster in Las Vegas
1. Jordan Meredith, IOL
Meredith has a strong enough pedigree to be on an NFL roster, and his versatility is the kind of thing that this Raiders coaching staff covets. But with all of the young talent crowding in on his roster spot, Meredith needed to have a much stronger preseason than the one he's had through two games.
Not all hope is lost, though. With a memorable showing in the final exhibition game, Meredith could push the Raiders to consider keeping a ninth offensive lineman. It's unlikely that he'll dethrone anyone at this point, but Meredith could flip the script and change the math with a strong final outing.
2. Greedy Vance Jr., NCB
Vance Jr. really balled out and was everywhere against the Arizona Cardinals, but he came back down to earth against the Houston Texans. And for what it's worth, I still don't think that he has the body type or playing style to be a nickel in Rob Leonard's defense. But he's been counted out before.
Still, though, Vance Jr. needs to show that the first preseason game was the rule, not the exception, if he wants to be factored into this cornerback equation. With several safeties who can roll up and play in the slot, Vance Jr. has his work cut out for him, and it needs to all come together on Thursday.
3. Shedrick Jackson, WR
Jackson was a preseason darling at this time last year, and he actually made a few really great plays near the end of the 2025 campaign. And in a wide receiver room that is still fairly wide open and apparently looking for answers, Jackson has an opportunity in front of him to make this roster.
However, Jackson hasn't exactly brought his best stuff through two exhibition games, catching just 3 passes for 55 yards and dropping one ball. If he wants to sneak onto the Raiders' 53-man team, he'll need to bring the house down in Las Vegas in the final preseason game.
4. Brandon Cleveland, DT
Cleveland joined a thin defensive tackle room via the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but it has been pure crickets in regard to his play at training camp, and he hasn't exactly been a force or noticeable at all, really, during the preseason. The odds are very much against Cleveland at this point.
With a monstrous outing against the 49ers, though, Cleveland could give the Raiders something to think about. At the very least, he could cinch up a spot on the practice squad if he clears waivers, but don't count him out quite yet for a minor role if he rises to the occasion. It doesn't look good, but still.
5. Chase Roberts, WR
Roberts was slowed down in the spring by an injury, but he was still one of the crown jewels of this undrafted free agency class. He is getting paid $267,500 in guaranteed money, after all. And like Jackson, he is in a thin wide receiver room in dire need of someone to step up.
Through two preseason games, though, Roberts has caught just one pass for 12 yards and dropped the only other ball that came his way. If he has plans of sticking around in Las Vegas, then he needs to ramp it up in a significant way before San Francisco comes to town.
6. Roman Hemby, RB
Hemby may sneak onto the 53-man roster because of Ashton Jeanty's injury anyway, but the Indiana back was making a case before that. He's enjoyed a strong preseason, albeit not a flashy one, but the math just didn't seem to be in his favor. Now, however, Hemby may control his own destiny.
It is currently unknown how long Jeanty will be out, and Las Vegas could be enticed to add a body from outside the building to fill that void. Or, Hemby can make a big statement in the final preseason game and let the Raiders know that they already have what they need.
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