Heavy at linebacker, wide receiver
The Las Vegas Raiders have set their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 regular season.
There really weren’t many surprises and no big bombshell moves made. Here are some early thoughts on the cuts and the roster as it stands now:
There will be movement this week as general manager Tom Telesco indicated Tuesday afternoon with reporters, saying this current 53-man roster is “a starting point.” Teams can claim players through waivers Wednesday and free agents can be signed immediately. So, this roster is fluid.
Seven of the team’s eight draft picks made the 53-man roster with seventh-round pick, safety Trey Taylor starting the season on the injured reserve. He will be eligible to be added to the active roster later in the season, after missing, at least, four games. He is the only Las Vegas player the Raiders’ placed on the season on the injured reserve Tuesday.
Two undrafted free agents made the team, linebacker Amari Gainer and wide receiver Ramel Keyton.
#Raiders roster moves: pic.twitter.com/E4fb6S3dOk
— Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) August 27, 2024
There are seven linebackers on the roster including Gainer, Kana’i Mauga and Amari Burney. This could be a position where a player is subtracted to make room for a new addition. But it’s clear special teams played a key role in this initial decision.
The Raiders cut six wide receivers and special teams played a role their. Special-teams standout DJ Turner is the fourth receiver and Keyton and Tyreik McAllister both made the team after a strong finish to the preseason. They were kept over holdover Kristian Wilkerson and free agent Jalen Guyton. They could be headed to the practice squad.
Telesco gave a nod to assistant general manager for signing McAllister from the Canadian Football League when he was the interim GM in January before Telesco was hired.
The Raiders have just two defensive ends behind starters Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce — Tyree Wilson and Janarius Robinson. Elerson Smith and Charles Snowden, who both looked good in the preseason, were cut.
They have five defensive tackles with Byron Young, Adam Butler and Nesta Jade Silvera backing up Christian Wilkins and John Jenkins. Young, a third-round pick last season, had a shaky preseason after a poor rookie season. Yet, for now, he’s safe. Expect the Raiders to look to add here.
Telesco said the Raiders will try to add a quarterback to the practice squad. There is a good chance that will be undrafted free agent Carter Bradley. It doesn’t seem like the Raiders are currently interested in having a third quarterback on the 53-man roster.
The Raiders have six cornerbacks. Telesco said veteran Brandon Facyson, who also played for him with the Chargers, was never in danger of not making the roster even though he missed time this preseason with an injury. Seventh-round pick M.J. Devonshire made the team despite having a poor preseason. He could be in danger if the Raiders add to the position
The Raiders kept just free-agent addition Harrison Bryant behind starting tight end Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
Undrafted free agent, center Will Putnam was cut after a strong training camp. He should be headed to the practice squad if he’s not claimed. If there is an injury to starting center Andre James, Jackson Powers-Johnson or Cody Whitehair could slide in.
There wasn’t a lot of surprise moves by #Raiders. Telesco stuck to his plan. He didn’t add much in free agency, but most of his FAs and draft picks made team. Less hectic cut-down day than previous regimes. We’ll see if it means anything.
— Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonNFL) August 27, 2024
The Raiders may be in the market for depth at defensive tackle. Among the available players there include Siaki Ika (Cleveland Browns), Jaquelin Roy (Minnesota Vikings) and James Lynch (Minnesota), who were both cut Tuesday,
The Raiders will likely be in the market for secondary help. Among the veterans available are Bobby McCain (Minnesota), Desmond King (Houston Texans), Darnay Holmes (New York Giants), Caleb Farley (Tennessee Titans), Justin Hardee (Cleveland) and Adrian Colbert (Chicago Bears).
It will be interesting to see if Telesco shows interest in any of his former players with the Los Angeles Chargers. Among the players who the Chargers cut were running back Isaiah Spiller and tight end Donald Parham, although tight end is not a big need area for the Raiders.