Heading into Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, the Las Vegas Raiders have set their quarterback lineup with Gardner Minshew as the starter, a decision announced by head coach Antonio Pierce. This choice was made over Aidan O'Connell, who will serve as the backup, indicating the team's preference for Minshew's experience and performance during the preseason, despite both quarterbacks having their moments.
So, the biggest thing is marked off of the offseason and training camp checklist, now they have to move on to the next one -- getting the roster down from 90 players to 53.
The Raiders have finished up their last preseason game against the 49ers, in what was a game that started pretty slow, but sped up as the depth on both sides of the ball got better as the first half went on. As soon as the game is over, the team can start making cuts. You hate that it's like that for some of these guys, but, it is a business.
Some of these depth pieces made it hard on the Raiders, though. And, they made it hard on me, as I'm predicting the 53-man roster before we head into Week 1.
Raiders 53-man roster prediction
Quarterback (2)
Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell
The Raiders named Minshew the starter on Sunday, the day after he and O'Connell played pretty bad against the Cowboys . So, those two are locks because of the battle for the QB1 spot. As for the QB3, the Raiders are bringing in Peterman because he knows the offense already due to his stint with Getsy on the Chicago Bears. However, Peterman is a practice squad quarterback, and no one is clamoring to sign him, so, they will just send him to the practice squad.
Running backs (4)
Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, Dylan Laube
The Raiders drafted Laube this offseason to try and see what he could do, whether it be as a running back or on special teams, and so far, he has shown some pretty good flashes. They like Abdullah as a third-down back if anything goes wrong, and his experience in a fairly young RB room is great, too. After the showings of the other backs though, in Brittain Brown and Sincer McCormick, this decision will be tough.
Wide Receivers (7)
Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, Kristian Wilkerson, Tyreik McAllister, Jalen Guyton
The Raiders don't have quite as deep of a wide receiver room as they had last season, but, they obviously feel like it's good enough going into the 2024 season. I'm sure having the duo of Adams and Meyers help, and Turner has shown some great flashes this offseason as well.
McAllister had his own game on Friday night, as he had a punt return for a touchdown, and an impressive touchdown catch where he skied for the ball, came down, and ran into the end zone after missing the defenders.
Tight Ends (3)
Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant
The Raiders have one of the best, young groups of tight ends in the league. They drafted two of the best guys at that position in college over the last five years. Bryant has made a name for himself on this roster in the last two games against the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys especially, and him not playing in the last preseason game of the year against the 49ers tells me he is likely the last guy to make this position group.
Offensive Line (9)
Kolton Miller (LT), Jackson Powers-Johnson (OG), Andre James (C), Dylan Parham (OG), Thayer Munford Jr. (OT), Dalton Wagner (OT), Andrus Peat (OL), Cody Whitehair (OG), Delmar Glaze (OL)
The Raiders have a pretty good offensive line when it's all put together. But, when you look at their depth, it's shaky. However, I'd say there aren't really any battles that are surprising. You pretty much know the guys that will make the roster from this group.
Defensive Line (9)
Maxx Crosby (DE), Christian Wilkins (DT), John Jenkins (DT), Malcolm Koonce (DE), Tyree Wilson (DE), Janarius Robinson (DE), Adam Butler (DT), Matthew Butler (DT), Byron Young (DT)
The Raiders now have one of the best, if not the best, defensive lines in the league. But, a large part of that is also because of the depth and experience they have. Against the San Francisco 49ers we saw that depth, with Young, Snowden, and Robinson all getting sacks. Oh, and of course, Matthew Butler. Some really good players will be left off of this list.
Linebackers (5)
Divine Deablo, Robert Spillane, Luke Masterson, Tommy Eichenberg, Amari Gainer
The Raiders will have a tough time leaving off Amari Gainer, after the preseason he just had, but there's really no reason not to leave him off. He has proved everything he's needed to prove. As for the other guys, those are expected, and Eichenberg is making his way up the depth chart.
Cornerbacks (7)
Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs, Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, MJ Devonshire, Brandon Facyson, Woo Governor
The CB room isn't a strength of this defense, but it has gotten much better. Let's start with the fact that this room will have a day three pick in Devonshire, and a UDFA in Governor. With such a young group, keeping Facyson seems like a must.
Safeties (4)
Trevon Moehrig, Marcus Epps, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Trey Taylor
I'm not sure many thought this room would look drastically different. I think the first three guys are not necessarily set in stone, but the three most of us expect. Now, the rookie Trey Taylor may very well not end up making the roster, but I think they like what they see.
Special Teams (3)
Daniel Carlson (K), AJ Cole (P), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)
The Raiders, to me, have the best specialist in the league. This has been the starter for this unit for a while now, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders undrafted free agent rookie snags job from drafted rookie in final depth chart prediction
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