Oakland Raiders: Projected 53-man depth chart for 2019 before OTAs

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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 18: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a sack with P.J. Hall #92 in the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starters: Clelin Ferrell (DE), Justin Ellis (IDL), Maurice Hurst (IDL), Arden Key (DE)
Reserves: P.J. Hall, Johnathan Hankins, Ben Mayowa, Maxx Crosby, Josh Mauro (9)
Surprises: None
Notable Omissions: Eddie Vanderdoes

Another Reggie McKenzie pick bites the dust. The Raiders selected Vanderdoes in the third round of the 2017 draft. If not for a torn ACL, his second in three years, he would have a better chance to crack the 53-man roster.

Vanderdoes suffered a knee injury in the season finale of the 2017 campaign and missed the entire 2018 term. As a rookie, he had few flashes in the middle, logging 18 combined tackles — two resulting in a loss of yards. It’s simply not enough to hold a spot on the roster two years later within a deep position group.

The Raiders invested a second-round pick in Hall. Hurst led the team with four sacks last year. Ellis will return to action after missing 10 games with sprained ligaments in his foot. Team brass re-signed Hankins to a two-year deal. There’s no room for a run-stopper without a track record of rushing the passer.

Vanderdoes logged four sacks through 38 games at UCLA and hit the quarterback twice during his rookie campaign with the Raiders. Because of his lost season, he hasn’t been able to show Gruden and Guenther his capabilities. His chance at a roster spot looks like a steep climb.

Mauro’s proven inside-out versatility could lead him to a roster spot over his inexperienced teammate coming off a significant knee injury.

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