Although the Las Vegas Raiders' roster is far from a finished product, the organization was forced to release its initial 53-man team on Sunday evening after the roster cutdown deadline. And of course, some obvious winners and losers emerged when scanning the squad after nearly 40 transactions.
In some ways, every player who makes the team is a "winner," because they accomplished what they set out to at the onset of the offseason. But if we hold that to be true, then every player who is waived or released is a "loser," and we know that's not really the truth or a fair way of putting things.
So, we took it a step further and analyzed what the Raiders' roster decisions really meant. Several players came out of cutdown day smelling like roses and feeling quite positive about their outlook, whereas others may have been dealt some bad news with certain decisions. Let's dive in.
Winners and losers from Las Vegas Raiders' first 53-man roster in 2026
Winners
Patrick Johnson, DE
Johnson was glossed over when he was signed ahead of training camp, but he made sure that a quiet arrival didn't define him. He dominated defensively and on special teams, securing his spot without a shadow of a doubt. Johnson earned it more than anyone in the building, so he's a big winner.
Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr., RB
Keeping just three running backs was a big stamp of approval for this young duo, and hopefully a sign that Jeanty's ankle injury won't drag on very long into the season, if at all. Regardless, the Raiders don't think they need many bodies to get the job done, just a few of the right ones, like these two.
Foley Fatukasi, DT
Fatukasi didn't even need the whole preseason to make a statement, as he made his case in just two preseason games. The fact that the veteran was included means he'll probably play a role, so that is quite a climb to make in a matter of just two short weeks. But Fatukasi easily deserved this spot.
Aidan O'Connell, QB
O'Connell was the topic of trade discussions this preseason, and at times, it seemed like he'd be a cut candidate. But as AOC has always done in Las Vegas, he clung to the roster and will be a part of this team until further notice. Let's just hope, for the first time, that the Raiders don't need him this year.
The Bergs, LB
Cody Lindenberg and Tommy Eichenberg are the only two linebackers on the roster behind Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, so they are the next line of defense behind a duo with not-insignificant injury histories. That's quite a vote of confidence from this coaching staff and front office.
K Matt Gay and LS Alex Ward
Someone had to emerge in the battle for the kicker and long snapper jobs, and that was Gay and Ward, who beat out Kansei Matsuzawa and Tyler Duzansky. Until further notice, they'll be relied on to put the ball through the uprights in Las Vegas. A true performance-based competition, and they won.
Losers
Keyron Crawford, DE
Crawford left the preseason finale with an injury, and the 53-man roster revealed that the rookie is on the season-ending IR. For a developmental player, this is not good news, as Crawford needs all the reps and experience he can get. On a personal level, too, what a blow for the young player.
Atonio Mafi, G
Mafi should be proud that he made the initial version of the team, but it feels pretty obvious that he is the first to go when the Raiders make a roster move. He should be back on the practice squad, but Las Vegas just delayed the inevitable here and made him stick out like a sore thumb in a way.
J.J. Pegues, DT
It's never good when a player joins your position room and earns a roster spot in two weeks. But that's what Fatukasi did, and he'll be eating right into Pegues' reps. Yes, it's still good that the second-year player is on the 53, but he wants a role, not just a spot on the team. Fatukasi complicates that.
Cut Players
I know I said that the players who are cut are not losers. But they still deserve recognition for all of their hard work this offseason. It must absolutely suck to be waived or released, so they end up on this side of the list as a group, even though many of the individual players will bounce back.
They're not losers, but the situation they are in certainly isn't what they wanted.
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