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Oakland Raiders: 53-Man roster projections after minicamp

By Maurice Moton

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 20: Defensive end Mario Jr. Edwards #97 of the Oakland Raiders stretches before a game against the Green Bay Packers on December 20, 2015 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Packers won 30-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 20: Defensive end Mario Jr. Edwards #97 of the Oakland Raiders stretches before a game against the Green Bay Packers on December 20, 2015 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Packers won 30-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 18: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Florida Gators gestures after kicking a field goal during the first half of the game against the UAB Blazers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 18: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Florida Gators gestures after kicking a field goal during the first half of the game against the UAB Blazers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Special Teams: Andrew DePaola, Johnny Townsend, Eddy Pineiro (3)

Notable Omissions: Giorgio Tavecchio

Kickers Giorgio Tavecchio and Eddy Pineiro will say all the right things and respect each other while battling for one spot. However, there’s no doubt the undrafted placekicker holds an advantage with his former collegiate teammate punter Johnny Townsend as the holder.

Furthermore, how can anyone say no to a kicker who drills an 81-yard attempt during practice?

After missing the roster cuts in previous years and finally starting over a Raider legend Sebastian Janikowski due to his back injury, Tavecchio’s journey goes short-lived. The left-footed kicker converted on 76 percent of his attempts last season. It’s not enough to carry over and give him the edge over ready-made chemistry between Townsend and Pineiro.

Townsend’s name goes on paper in pen. He’s the replacement for punter Marquette King, who’s daring Bruce Irvin to administer a civilized butt-whooping on the field when the Raiders play the Denver Broncos:

Long-snapper Andrew DePaola spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one term with the Chicago Bears. Simply based on experience, he’s the safe pick over undrafted rookie long snapper Drew Scott.

Next: NFL 2018: Each team’s best offseason move

Next year’s three-man field-goal group reads as follows: DePaola snaps to Townsend for the hold, and Pineiro boots one through the air.

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