Skip to main content

Trimming the Roster to 80

The Raiders must trim the roster to 80 players once all the drafted rookies are signed.

This should happen as the days draw closer to training camp.

The roster sits at 84 players, meaning four players will need to be cut if the Raiders intend to bring all the drafted rookies to camp.

It is seemingly impossible to accurately predict the last five roster spots on the 53-man roster, so predicting who makes the camp roster of 80 is even harder.

Still, there are potential candidates to be cut and cases can be made for and against each player.


DT Chris Cooper
For: Veteran, journeyman, could be quality depth at defensive tackle
Against: The Raiders brought in John Henderson and re-signed William Joseph to go along with Tommy Kelly, Desmond Bryant. Lamarr Houston and Seymour should spend time at defensive tackle also.

DT Kellen Heard
For: Good size and upside if the Raiders play the 3-4.
Against: Henderson can anchor the 3-4 and Heard had off-the-field issues in college. Undrafted rookie is expendable.

DT Ryan Boschetti
For: Experience with the Raiders
Against: The team has already cut him, having brought him back for the offseason program prior to signing John Henderson.

WR Shaun Bodiford
For: You never know what young receiver will latch on in camp and Bodiford has some experience.
Against: He hasn’t been able to really catch on as a receiver in his career. There may be more youthful options.

WR Paul Hubbard
For: Young enough to develop. Usually give receivers a few years to see what clicks for them.
Against: Talent level isn’t elite, could be cut in favor or other similar options.

WR Damola Adeniji
For: Raw, young, might be a late bloomer or good player on bad team in college.
Against: Didn’t produce in college.

OL Elliot Vallejo
For: He worked his way up from the Cardinals practice squad. He has good size.
Against: Coming off an injury, a fractured kneecap.

OL Allen Smith
For: Has the talent to play in the NFL, was a top prospect out of high school. Attended Stanford, mother is a professor at Arizona State. Prior to injury in 2007 he was durable
Against: Injury history includes a torn patella tendon and fractured kneecap the last two years.

DE Alex Daniels
For: Young player that moved around a lot in college. Might develop given steady position
Against: Nature of going undrafted is the team brings a player in for a cup of coffee to see if they can develop.

OL Alex Parsons
For: Could actually make the 53-man roster. Agility that may fit the Raiders system
Against: Undrafted, Raiders may like other young lineman better.

OG Brandon Rodd
For: Experience on Raiders practice squad.
Against: Raiders cut ties with him and he was also released by the Buffalo Bills.

DE Greyson Gunheim
For: Obviously keeps showing the coaches something they like to keep him around this long.
Against: Has developed enough in three seasons to make an impact, might be time to move on.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Oakland Raiders Swing for the Fences in 2016 NFL Draft

[embed align="center"]http://gty.im/153039819[/embed] These aren't your daddy's Oakland Raiders or even your younger self's Raiders. If anything, these are your newborn's Raiders or your puppy's Raiders. These are the Raiders we've never seen before. Indicative of the freshness of the franchise was their 2016 NFL Draft. No longer slave to a high draft pick and desperate needs, the theme of the draft for the Raiders was upside. It's as if general manager Reggie McKenzie got so used to hitting his draft picks out of the park that he started swinging for the fences. We'll have to wait a couple of years before we know if he struck out or if he'll continue his Ruthian ways. First, McKenzie boldly went with a safety at No. 14 overall. Kyle Joseph is coming off a torn ACL and fills a major need, but safety isn't a premium position. Only a handful of safeties have been drafted in the first 14 picks in the last 15 years and include names like Ea...

Oakland Raiders' Studs and Duds From Preseason Week 1

[embed]http://gty.im/484069738[/embed] The Oakland Raiders finally look like a competitive football team again. That should be the biggest takeaway from their preseason rout of the St. Louis Rams. Quarterback Derek Carr and the offense looked significantly improved from a year ago, thanks in large part to some of the studs listed below. The starting defense was still a little shaky, but there were still a few bright spots. Overall, the Raiders can feel good about their first live action of the year, especially since there appeared to be no significant injuries to come out of it. Studs Rodney Hudson Of all general manager Reggie McKenzie's offseason acquisitions, he committed the most money to center Rodney Hudson. Offensive linemen rarely get the praise they deserve, but a great offensive line as anchored in the middle can be huge for an offense. Hudson was very solid in his debut against a very good defensive front. If Hudson and the offensive line can consistently protect Carr an...

Preseason Week 1 Players to Peruse

[embed]http://gty.im/459756040[/embed] The Oakland Raiders season officially kicks off Friday night. Unfortunately, it's preseason. Fortunately, there are still plenty of things to watch. It seems like this every year, but this truly is one of the most interesting Raiders teams in years. For starters, there is a lot of young talent. Unlike past years, there is also plenty of veteran talent that isn't over 30. While all eyes will be on first-round pick Amari Cooper, there are at least a half-dozen other players Raiders fans should keep a close eye on during the game. D.J. Hayden He hasn't been able to stay healthy, nor has he been particularly awesome when he is healthy, but cornerback D.J. Hayden still has a lot of talent. General manager Reggie McKenzie will take his lumps if Hayden doesn't pan out this year, but more importantly the Raiders will also be dangerously thin at cornerback. The Raiders need Hayden to solid, even if he doesn't live up to the potential he...