The preseason is now over for Klint Kubiak's first iteration of the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, he and the coaching staff must put their heads together with John Spytek and the front office to turn this rough draft of a roster into a final copy that they can all be proud of before the 2026 NFL season.
It won't be easy to make 36 or so roster cuts by Sunday, as several lingering questions remain about this team, even after the exhibition finale against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. Some very tough and incredibly charged decisions are at hand, so it'll be an action-packed few days.
To put ourselves in Kubiak and Spytek's shoes, for the final time, we have predicted the Raiders' 53-man roster ahead of cutdowns. This was not an easy exercise by any means, as Las Vegas' roster is much improved and has several close calls that could go one way or another.
But be prepared, Raider Nation, to say goodbye to a handful of recent draft picks.
Final Las Vegas Raiders 53-man roster prediction for the 2026 season
Specialists (3): P A.J. Cole, K Matt Gay, LS Alex Ward
Cole wasn't competing for a spot, so he was a no-brainer. Gay won the job by default because of Kansei Matsuzawa's struggles, but then he earned it with a nice outing in the preseason finale. And Ward was out there instead of Tyler Duzansky all game on Thursday, so it seems that he has the edge.
Defensive End (5): Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye, Malcolm Koonce, Keyron Crawford, Patrick Johnson
This is one of the toughest spots to predict. If Crawford is badly injured, things are straightforward here, as Johnson and Cian Slone would both make it. Las Vegas could also just keep six here. But if Crawford is healthy and the team keeps five, Johnson should have the edge over Slone for special teams play alone, even if Slone is a more promising long-term project and may not clear waivers.
Defensive Tackle (6): Adam Butler, Tonka Hemingway, Jonah Laulu, Thomas Booker IV, JJ Pegues, Foley Fatukasi
Both Fatukasi and Pegues made serious cases to be on the roster this preseason, and the top half of this room is thinner, so we're keeping six tackles and just five edge rushers. If one has to go, it may be Pegues, as he would clear waivers and revert to the practice squad. But I think he makes it, meaning rookie 7th-rounder Brandon Cleveland would be cut, so hopefully he lands on the practice squad.
Linebacker (4): Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg
Cameron McGrone had a great showing on Thursday, and Segun Olubi is right on the bubble here. It feels weird to keep only four linebackers, but Las Vegas can't really afford to go any lighter at other spots. So, the -Bergs will back up the new tandem of Walker and Dean, and if a fifth makes it, it'll probably be Olubi. McGrone or UDFA Xavian Sorey Jr. are practice squad candidates.
Cornerback (5): Eric Stokes, Taron Johnson, Darien Porter, Zeke Masses, Jermod McCoy
2024 4th-rounder Decamerion Richardson is a notable cut here, as is promising nickel Greedy Vance Jr. But there's just not room for them with four rookie draft picks now in the fold, all of whom could contribute this season. Las Vegas could go a body lighter elsewhere, and in that case, Richardson is more likely to be included than Vance Jr, to me. This may be bold, but I don't think either makes it.
Safety (5): Jeremy Chinn, Treydan Stukes, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Dalton Johnson, Tristin McCollum
For as difficult as the other rooms on defense are to predict, the safety group seems obvious. All five of these players are worthy of a roster spot and should contribute defensively or on special teams this season. If someone has to go, McCollum could be a cut candidate, or Pola-Mao could be traded. Maybe one goes because Taron Johnson is viewed as a safety. But this feels cut-and-dry.
Offensive Line (9): Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze, Caleb Rogers, Trey Zuhn III, Charles Grant, Jordan Meredith
All offseason, I've had this room at eight players. But last year, Spytek kept 10 on the initial roster, so let's say that they keep nine, at least initially. The surprise inclusion here is Meredith, who I've been incredibly low on all preseason, but he really impressed against San Francisco in the final game. Only having three backups was a little risky anyway, so I wouldn't rule out an external addition here, either.
Tight End (3): Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
Thomas will back his way onto this roster, at least to start, because Carter Runyon has been hurt, and neither Albert Okwuegbunam or Chris Myarick challenged him much. But Thomas really struggled in the team's three-game exhibition slate, so much so that I wouldn't be shocked if they scour the market for another tight end, or maybe keep the light on for Runyon when he's back to being healthy.
Wide Receiver (5): Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, Malik Benson, External Addition
Dont'e Thornton Jr. hasn't been available for the Raiders this offseason, and with well-documented concerns at the wide receiver position, last year's fourth-rounder could be cut or placed on short-term IR. Nobody else in the room stood out, so Las Vegas is likely to sign or claim a wideout in the coming days. Thornton Jr., at this point, would likely clear waivers and revert to the practice squad.
Fullback (1): Connor Heyward
Heyward is a beast, and his impact on this offense can't be understated. He was the obvious choice over rookie Patrick Gurd.
Running Back (4): Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale
Things could get a little wonky here if Jeanty needs a short-term IR stint, but it's fairly obvious that the team loves Washington Jr. and Laube as backups, and that Ogunbowale can be a special teams captain. Plus, he got way more opportunities on offense this preseason than UDFA Roman Hemby. Hopefully, the promising rookie clears waivers and stays in Las Vegas to develop.
Quarterback (3): Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O'Connell
Okay, this is another room where I don't know exactly what'll happen. With so many close calls at other spots, it feels foolish in a way to keep a third quarterback. But with the emergency third quarterback rule, the Raiders would be foolish not to use it. This staff likes O'Connell, but he didn't do a thing to prove that he belongs on this roster. Maybe he's traded, and Las Vegas adds someone else.
Add us as a preferred source on Google