The Oakland Raiders finished their preseason 1-3, and they have until 6 P.M. on Sept. 3 for final roster cuts.
Here are my predictions for those players that will get the infamous call into the coaches’ office.
- (RB) Jalen Richard
- (LB) Daren Bates
- (G) Mitch Bell
- (WR) K.J. Brent
- (CB) Kenneth Durden
- (WR) Marvin Hall
- (CB) Antonio Hamilton
- (DL) Drew Iddings
- (DE) Branden Jackson
- (RB) George Atkinson III
- (G) Denver Kirkland
- (DT) Derrick Lott
- (LB) John Lotulelei
- (CB) Dexter McDonald
- (S) Dewey McDonald
- (TE) Jake McGee
- (WR) Jaydon Mickens
- (TE) Ryan O’Malley
- (G) Oni Omoile
- (DE) Greg Townsend
- (LB) Kyrie Wilson
Notables not on this list include Taiwan Jones, Mychal Rivera, Johnny Holton, Matt McGloin, Andre Homes, and Matt McCants.
Call me biased for keeping some of the longest-tenured players on the roster. I just don’t think the people behind Rivera, Holmes, McCants, and Jones bring enough upside to supplant the incumbents’ experience.
Dexter McDonald and Jalen Richard are locks for the practice squad if they do not find work elsewhere. Greg Townsend Jr. may also make the practice squad thanks to his father’s connections to the team. Oni Omoile might also get a spot because he is Kelechi Osemele’s cousin. Brent and Mickens might also get a spot.
Otherwise, the only name hard to say goodbye to is George Atkinson III. Over the past few seasons, he has shown flashes in preseason. He has just never been good enough as a runner or returner to beat out Taiwan Jones. Jones is also a good special teams defender which gives him the nod over Atkinson. The Raiders did their job by grooming him into a player. Someone should offer him a roster spot because he proved he can play in this preseason.
Also noted, the Raiders trimmed their roster earlier this week. Leon Orr was the only player cut with active roster experience. Otherwise, the other players did get much run in preseason. Max McCaffrey was a notable name cut. He is the son of a Broncos legend and looked good in Spring. Still, other receivers passed him on the depth chart.
Ultimately, it will be interesting to see how the final 53-man roster turns out. Either way, it is almost time for some actual football!
