After much speculation and too many predictions ahead of cutdown day, the Las Vegas Raiders have officially revealed their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 NFL season. This won't be the group all year; John Spytek and Klint Kubiak will constantly mess around with the roster, especially the bottom half.
But for right now, the Silver and Black are moving into the next phase of the offseason with the best combination of players that they could manage, or at least the mixture of talent that made the most sense right now, given all of the calculations, risks and assumptions that they have to make.
An entire roster can be a lot to unpack, so we've gone through the trouble of breaking it down for you, position by position. Here are the biggest takeaways from each group, as well as what to watch out for with each unit as we inch closer and closer to Week 1's showdown with the Miami Dolphins.
Takeaways from Las Vegas Raiders' first 53-man roster of 2026 NFL season
Quarterback (3)
Rostered:Â Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza (R), Aidan O'Connell
Cut: Jacob Clark (R)
Clark was the only player cut from this room, and it's a foregone conclusion that he'll clear waivers. The question now becomes whether the Raiders liked what they saw from him enough this offseason to want him back as the practice squad quarterback, or if they'll look externally for that.
Keeping three quarterbacks should be a guarantee anymore, considering teams get an emergency third player. The coaching staff seems to like O'Connell, despite his not having a strong preseason. Perhaps he serves as the de facto scout team guy instead of Clark taking up a practice squad spot.
All signs point toward Cousins being the starter on opening weekend, but it remains to be seen just how long that'll hold up. Mendoza looked good enough in the exhibition slate to play right away, so the veteran needs to be lights out to stave off the rookie. Once Mendoza comes in, he's not coming out.
Oh, and I still don't think an O'Connell trade is completely off the table. Call me crazy.
Running Back (3)
Rostered: Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr. (R), Dylan Laube
Cut: Dare Ogunbowale, Roman Hemby (R)
This room seemed pretty straightforward after the final preseason game, but both Ogunbowale and Hemby getting waived was a bit shocking. Ogunbowale is a strong veteran presence with third-down back capabilities and a strong résumé as a leader on special teams, but that wasn't enough.
Hemby also got tons of hype as a UDFA, but opportunities were scarce for him this preseason. After Ogunbowale got released, many thought Hemby would get to stick around, but he got waived as well, leaving this room at just three players. Perhaps one of them could come back on the practice squad.
If not, Jeanty and Washington Jr. can hold down the rushing attack, and Laube can be the third-down player and key special-teamer. Keeping three at this spot bodes well for Jeanty's health, and it says a lot about their belief in Washington Jr. Also, shoutout to Laube for making it for the third straight year.
Fullback (1)
Rostered: Connor Heyward
Cut: Patrick Gurd (R)
Heyward was the obvious choice here, and he seems like he'll play a big role in Kubiak's offense. Not only was he a beast as a lead back and blocker this preseason, but his history as a tight end means that the Raiders can have some fun with him in the passing game as well.
Gurd was a non-factor this summer, so it's not a guarantee that he'll come back on the practice squad. He definitely could, but when Carter Runyon returns from injury, maybe Gurd is a casualty, as Runyon can play that H-back spot and effectively serve as a backup fullback. We'll have to see.
Wide Receiver (6)
Rostered: Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Malik Benson (R), Dareke Young
Cut: Shedrick Jackson, Deven Thompkins, E.J. Williams (R), Chase Roberts (R), Brandon Johnson, Phillip Dorsett II
Tucker, Nailor, Bech and Benson were locks, but Raider Nation really had no idea what the team would do behind them. Thornton Jr., despite his long injury-related absence, is on the roster and not on IR, so maybe he'll be back soon. Young was, in a lot of ways, the forgotten obvious choice for spot No. 6.
An external addition is still very much on the table at this point, and it remains unclear exactly who would get the boot if that happens between Thornton Jr. and Young. As far as the players who were cut, Jackson, Thompkins and Williams stick out as practice squad priorities for the Silver and Black.
Roberts would be on that list, too, but he was waived with an injury designation. Johnson had his moments this preseason, so he is probably next in line after that. Dorsett's run in Las Vegas is likely over, unless the Raiders fail to get any of the aforementioned players back. Be ready for an addition.
Tight End (3)
Rostered: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
Cut: Albert Okwuegbunam, Chris Myarick
IR: Carter Runyon (Designated to Return)
You would have to fight Kubiak and Spytek to the death to exclude Bowers and Mayer from this roster. Thomas, however, seems to have been included by default, as neither Okwuegbunam nor Myarick made a strong case this preseason when Thomas' poor play left the door wide open for them.
If an intriguing tight end is available on the waiver wire, and there may be several, it wouldn't shock me to see the Raiders dabble in that. Thomas had a rough preseason. Plus, Runyon may return after four weeks, so that puts a timer on Thomas to turn things around or potentially be shown the exit.
Offensive Tackle (3)
Rostered: Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, Charles Grant, Trey Zuhn III (R)*
Cut: Dalton Wagner, Isaiah Jatta (R), Kamar Missouri (R)
Not much to talk about here. Miller and Glaze look like nice bookends for the Raiders' offense, and both Grant and Zuhn III have shown serious promise behind them, even if they're both young and in the early stages of their development. In a perfect world, Las Vegas doesn't see either this year.
As far as the players who were cut, Wagner has been around for several years, and he got extensive run with the 2s in the final preseason game. He's the frontrunner to make the practice squad. Missouri played a lot more than Jatta this preseason, but he performed significantly worse.
Jatta got a nice chunk of change as a UDFA, so perhaps that is a motivator for Spytek to keep him around in some capacity. But neither player has much of a chance to be activated this season, so their best hope is to stay in the building and try again next year.
Interior Offensive Line (6)
Rostered: Tyler Linderbaum, Spencer Burford, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers, Trey Zuhn III (R)*, Atonio Mafi
Cut: Will Putnam, Niklas Henning (R), Braeden Daniels
Traded: Jordan Meredith
Linderbaum is a game-changing player in the middle of this offensive line, and he is a multiplier up front. Burford was a savvy addition by Spytek in the second wave of free agency, and fans are pleasantly surprised with how he has performed thus far.
It remains to be seen who will start between Powers-Johnson and Rogers, but the Raiders actually have a strong interior here with solid depth. Zuhn III should be the backup center after Meredith was shipped off to the Jets, which was a mutually beneficial deal and good for the player.
Mafi making the team is good for him, but to me, he's the obvious sacrificial lamb when Las Vegas inevitably adds someone on waivers. Putnam and Henning are ideal practice squad candidates, as is Mafi, and there's a chance Henning could be on the IPP exemption. His background isn't quite clear.
Defensive Line (6)
Rostered: Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Thomas Booker IV, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Foley Fatukasi
Cut: Brandon Cleveland (R), Gary Smith III (R), Treven Ma'ae
Again, no major surprises with this group. Butler and Hemingway will start, and Fatukasi and Booker IV may be the second wave. Fatukasi came out of nowhere but could easily be a significant contributor. Pegues also had his moments to secure a spot. Laulu, however, did himself no favors this preseason.
It'll be interesting to see the way Rob Leonard rotates this group, as none of them is a "must-play-every-down" type of player. They have different skill sets, though, so it'll take a strong defensive mind to maximize this unit and employ them so that everyone is playing to their strengths.
When it comes to the cut players, Cleveland, the rookie 7th-rounder, wasn't a surprise. Hopefully, he comes back on the practice squad and wasn't a bad investment, as he finally flashed last Thursday. Smith III popped out on screen a few times as well. Ma'ae had a rough summer and may be gone.
Defensive End (4)
Rostered: Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye, Malcolm Koonce, Patrick Johnson
Cut: Cian Slone (R), Jahfari Harvey
IR: Keyron Crawford (R) (Season-ending)
This is a thin room, but seemingly a strong one. Crosby will play a lot of snaps, and Paye and Koonce will rotate opposite him. Johnson earned his spot more than anyone on the roster this preseason, so it's a good thing that he was kept around. Slone being waived was troubling, but hopefully, he returns.
Slone is definitely a candidate to be claimed, though, so perhaps Harvey can take on that practice squad role. He had some shining moments this preseason. Crawford being on the season-ending IR is just a gut punch for him and the organization. I would not rule out a signing or claim for this room.
Linebacker (4)
Rostered: Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg
Cut: Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Buddy Johnson, Xavian Sorey Jr. (R)
Keeping four here is a bit risky, but I like it. None of the cut players made a case for the 53-man team, and with only two linebackers likely to be on the field for most of the defensive snaps, there's no real reason to keep around any more than four. Walker and Dean are a borderline elite duo when healthy.
The Bergs also got a huge vote of confidence from this coaching staff when they chose to keep just four. Neither was impressive in the preseason finale, but their bodies of work must have been strong. Olubi really blew an opportunity to make an impact on this roster with an unimpressive summer.
McGrone, Johnson and Sorey Jr. are all potential practice squad candidates, with the former looking the most game-ready at this point and the latter having the most upside. None of them should be claimed or signed, so the Raiders may have their pick of this litter.
Cornerback (6)
Rostered: Eric Stokes, Taron Johnson, Darien Porter, Jermod McCoy (R), Hezekiah Masses (R), Decamerion Richardson
Cut: Greedy Vance Jr., Caleb Offord (R)
Two questions needed to be asked for this room ahead of cutdowns: Will they keep five or six? If they keep six, will it be Richardson or Vance Jr.? The answers, of course, are that the Raiders kept six, and that final spot went to Richardson on the boundary instead of Vance Jr. in the slot.
Getting Vance Jr. back on the practice squad would be a heist, as he's got game experience and has always been a steady tackler, even if he's smaller than the ideal nickel in this defense. Offord didn't flash as much as some fans thought he would, so waiving him was a no-brainer.
Stokes looked like a high-end starter this preseason, and Johnson proved that he still has it as well. Porter and Masses are in a tight battle for the starting job opposite Stokes, and McCoy is ever-present as well. When he puts it together, he may be the ultimate lockdown guy in this room.
Safety (5)
Rostered: Jeremy Chinn, Treydan Stukes (R), Isaiah Pola-Mao, Dalton Johnson (R), Tristin McCollum
Cut: Devin Lafayette (R), Devyn Perkins (R)
Thankfully, the Raiders kept all five of Chinn, Stukes, Pola-Mao, Johnson and McCollum. Chinn and Stukes should make for a big and physical starting safety duo, and Pola-Mao can finally be utilized in sub-packages instead of being a full-time deep safety. That's a very solid top three.
Both Johnson and McCollum should do damage on a variety of special teams units, and they also both looked capable this preseason of being plugged in on defense. This unit may not have a true star (Stukes could get there), but it's a solid group on the back end with no real weak links, it seems.
Lafayette should be brought back on the practice squad, if possible. Perkins didn't have the strongest preseason, so we may have seen the last of him. A body from outside the building could be added to round out the secondary for the practice squad.
Specialists (3)
Rostered: P A.J. Cole, K Matt Gay, LS Alex Ward
Cut: K Kansei Matsuzawa (R), LS Tyler Duzansky (R)
Cole is Cole. Enough said.
Matsuzawa basically took himself out of the running for the job by missing every kick this preseason, and then Gay finally earned the gig in the finale. However, with Blake Grupe now available, the Raiders would be silly not to add him, as he's a clear upgrade over either of them.
I won't pretend to understand the intricacies of a long snapper battle, but it became clear that Ward was going to make the team when he and Gay took all the snaps last Thursday. There is a world where both Duzansky and Matsuzawa are on the practice squad, and the battle goes on in a way.
Add us as a preferred source on Google