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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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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Karl Joseph #42 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after sacking the quarterback and recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won the game 45-20. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Karl Joseph #42 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after sacking the quarterback and recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won the game 45-20. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Secondary: Gareon Conley, Karl Joseph, Reggie Nelson, Rashaan Melvin, Marcus Gilchrist, Daryl Worley, Obi Melifonwu, Nick Nelson, Erik Harris, Shalom Luani (10)

Notable Omissions: Leon Hall, Shareece Wright, Dexter McDonald

Keep an eye on fourth-rounder Nick Nelson’s recovery from a torn meniscus. If he lands on the physically unable to perform list, it opens a roster spot for Leon Hall, who’s experienced in the current system.

For those wondering how safety Reggie Nelson makes the 53-man roster, Guenther seems high on the 34-year old, per Tafur:

"Reggie knows our system inside and out. Reggie is the kind of guy if you tell him what to do and how to do it, he is going to do it exactly how you want him to do it. If there is any gray area in there, then maybe he is not going to be as effective."

Karl Joseph, Marcus Gilchrist and Nelson will likely handle majority duties at safety. Obi Melifonwu’s role, though projected as a tight-end stopper, remains undefined. Erik Harris flashed through minicamp as an unheralded gem in coverage. He already holds value as a core special teamer. He’s nearly a lock to make the roster on the back end.

Daryl Worley started 25 games for the Carolina Panthers and logged 19 pass breakups, three interceptions and two sacks over the past two seasons. Furthermore, he’s only 23 years old with room to grow as a boundary defender.

The addition of Rashaan Melvin, Gilchrist, Worley and Nelson likely push Shareece Wright and Dexter McDonald off the depth chart. On paper, the Raiders secondary looks much improved.

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