Over 1,000 NFL players will be waived or released during roster cutdowns on August 30. And as difficult as this will be on a human level for front offices around the league, the Las Vegas Raiders are uniquely situated to take advantage of so many players suddenly becoming available in droves.
While this Silver and Black's roster is improved compared to last year, and they showed promise and progress throughout the preseason, that doesn't mean that John Spytek and Klint Kubiak's work is done. In fact, it is just starting, and the coming days are huge for building the bottom of the team.
So, let's take a quick gander around the league and identify some potential surprise cuts that could occur on Sunday and would be of interest to Las Vegas. If these players fall into the Raiders' lap, then Spytek and Kubiak may have to pounce and put in a waiver claim or get on the phone with their agent.
Surprise NFL cut candidates that may fall into the Raiders' lap
Davis Allen, TE, Los Angeles Rams
Call me crazy, but the Raiders may need a depth tight end, given how badly Ian Thomas struggled this preseason. Allen is stuck in a really loaded Rams tight end room, but he's a good run blocker and has enough pass-catching skills to get the job done. He produced last year, too, so if Los Angeles puts him on waivers, Las Vegas should not hesitate to pounce, as Allen is cheap and can be effective.
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
Slayton's contract situation is a bit complicated, so perhaps the Giants keep him. But the Raiders should kick the tires on what a deal may look like and explore signing him if he's released. Slayton is not the player that he once was, but he's perennially underrated and has notched over 525 yards in each of the last two years. That would certainly make Las Vegas' pass-catching corps better.
Christian Kirk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Kirk could get squeezed out of a young and deep wide receiver room in San Francisco, and Las Vegas should at least inquire about what his price would be on the open market. He is nowhere near the player he was in 2022 and 2023 with the Jaguars, but the Raiders could use a veteran presence and someone capable of producing at wide receiver. Kirk could potentially be that.
Kris Jenkins Jr., DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Jenkins Jr. has been up-and-down (mainly down) during his career thus far, but the recent second-round pick has flashed. There is at least potential here. With Las Vegas' need to beef up the defensive interior and Cincinnati waiving Jenkins Jr. at least on the table after trading for Dexter Lawrence and others, the Raiders may want to keep their eyes on the former Wolverine. Spytek loves Michigan...
Rayshaun Benny, DT, Baltimore Ravens
Speaking of Michigan, Benny was a seventh-round pick out of Ann Arbor this past spring, but he's not a lock to make the Ravens' 53-man roster. If he does get put on waivers, then Las Vegas should make a move for the promising youngster, as he played well this preseason in Baltimore. Benny isn't some high-end, game-changing player, but he'd improve the depth, and he's at least worth a flyer.
Cole Wisniewski, SAF, Philadelphia Eagles
Wisniewski was an exciting college prospect this past spring, but the Eagles are deep enough at safety that he may not make the squad. If the team parts ways with him on Sunday, then the Raiders could easily justify bringing in the big and versatile safety with an intriguing skill set to add more depth to the back end of the defense, where they are currently a bit thin.
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