With training camp approaching the Las Vegas Raiders will be making roster cuts. Let’s predict who makes the team and who needs to find a new team in 2022.
Training camp for the 2022 NFL season is right on the horizon and what goes hand in hand with training camp? Cuts, signings, and ultimately the construction of the final 53-man roster.
While many of these players on the bubble could end up on practice squads, some will venture out to other NFL clubs or retire from football in general.
Let’s dive into the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders’ final 53-man roster prediction.
Las Vegas Raiders roster prediction: Quarterbacks
Derek Carr, Nick Mullens, Jarrett Stidham, Chase Garbers
Let’s start with the top.
We know that Derek Carr is not going anywhere, not only because he just signed a contract extension but he is the de facto leader of this team and has been for many years.
Entering year 10, Carr is armed with the best wide receiver in the league and a talented offensive-minded head coach.
Nick Mullens has proven to be a valuable backup, specifically during his time with the 49ers, and Jarrett Stidham is a project QB that was clearly brought over due to the many former Patriots staffers now in Las Vegas.
If the Raiders keep three quarterbacks the odd man out would be the undrafted free agent, Chase Garbers from UCB, who was brought in for camp and possibly practice squad.
If the McDaniels/Ziegler duo prefers to keep only two quarterbacks even though Mullens has more experience it would not be far-fetched to see Stidham stick around in Vegas.
Let’s continue.
Las Vegas Raiders roster prediction: Wide receiveres
Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Demarcus Robinson, Mack Hollins, Keelan Cole, Tyron Johnson, Dillon Stoner, Jordan Veasy, DJ Turner
We’re going to see the trend where the Las Vegas Raiders actually have one bonafide star at each position that is a guaranteed roster spot, and we’ll see a few position groups where that “star” does not really exist.
The wide receiver group is one where it does exist and that star is Davante Adams. Adams is the key to the 2022 offense and the best receiver in the league.
Carr has coveted a number one receiver, specifically his best friend, and now he has him.
Hunter Renfrow has just been extended and is a lock as the starting slot receiver. Former KC Chief Demarcus Robinson is a versatile option that can play outside or in the slot and Mack Hollins can push the field vertically.
Keelan Cole is a solid late free agent addition from the Jaguars that should be expected to take the field in sub-packages.
This is a pretty dangerous group if the Raiders elect to run a significant amount of 11 personnel (one tight end, one running back, three receivers) putting Adams, Renfrow, and Robinson on the field with Jacobs and Waller.
Las Vegas Raiders roster prediction: Running backs
Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden, Zamir White, Brittain Brown, Ameer Abdullah
Running Back Josh Jacobs has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Speculation exists over a possible holdout, which for now has not been substantiated, on top of his fifth-year option being declined.
To add to the drama the Raiders drafted Georgia running back Zamir White in the fourth round creating a new rumor that White may have been brought in to replace Jacobs after ’22 concludes.
Regardless Josh Jacobs is the most talented back on this roster, specifically as a dual-threat back with his pass-catching ability.
White is more of a power back along with ex-Patriot Brandon Bolden who both can provide assistance in those crucial third and short situations.
Kenyan Drake, similar to Jacobs, is coming off a season of various injuries but will join Jacobs as another dual-threat receiving option.
Brittain Brown joins White as another rookie back taken in the late rounds and will likely make the 53 with journeyman third-string back Ameer Abdullah as a practice squad/special teams contributor.
It would not be a surprise however to see Abdullah not work out and he will be released to go find his fifth team.
Jakob Johnson, fullback
This won’t take long. The Raiders have one fullback on the roster, Jakob Johnson, formerly of the New England Patriots. Johnson spent his last three seasons with the Patriots where he logged 13 receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown.
While Johnson may not contribute as much as a receiver like his predecessor, Alec Ingold (who is now a Miami Dolphin), Johnson excelled as a run blocker and helped the Patriots finish the season with the 8th most rushing yards (avg) per game.
Alec Ingold’s leadership and general presence will be missed but after tearing his ACL the Miami Dolphins found value where the Raiders didn’t and signed Ingold to a two-year contract.
Johnson will assist the offensive line in creating some holes for the Raiders’ runners.
Las Vegas roster prediction: Offensive Line
Kolton Miller, Andre James, Jermaine Eluemunor, Denzelle Good, Brandon Parker, Dylan Parham, Alex Leatherwood, Thayer Munford, John Simpson, Lester Cotton, Jordan Meredith, Hroniss Grasu
The offensive line, along with another position group, is one of the most fragile groups on the team for the 2022 season. The top-graded player on the line is left tackle Kolton Miller, and it’s not even close.
Andre James has solidified his position as the center of the line and the left guard position has been interchangeable between Jermaine Eluemunor and John Simpson, but it still is not a position of strength.
It also would not be a surprising move to see rookie third-round pick Dylan Parham start at right guard over Denzelle Good and fellow rookie Thayer Munford. The position battle that is especially intriguing is the right tackle spot.
It appears second-year player, and first-round draft pick from the 2021 Draft Alex Leatherwood is shifting back to the right tackle position after being moved to guard.
Leatherwood may have a position battle with Brandon Parker who subbed in last season. A battle of the Titans. Leatherwood appears to have put in some work in the offseason and even if he wins the spot I would expect to see Parker sub in if Leatherwood struggles again.
When cuts come around the Raiders will likely keep at least 8 offensive linemen for depth and inevitable injuries.
Cotton and Meredith will likely go with Grasu possibly remaining on the practice squad as the backup center.
Las Vegas Raiders roster projection: Defensive Line
(DE/OLB/DT) Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, Clelin Ferrell, Jonhathan Hankins, Vernon Butler, Bilal Nichols, Matthew Butler, Neil Farrell, Kyle Peko, Malcolm Koonce, Kyler Fackrell, Kendal Vickers, Myron Tagovailoa, Tyler Lancaster, Tashawn Bower, Andrew Billings
This is the only true aspect of the Las Vegas Raiders defense where there is more than enough depth within the unit; the defensive line.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham won’t publicly settle on a scheme for the defense but it appears the base defense will likely be in a 3-4 format.
We already know that Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, and the rookies Neil Farrell and Matthew Butler aren’t going anywhere but the rest are truly unknown.
Malcolm Koonce had a quiet rookie season but towards the end of the 2021 season, he displayed some flashes of potential to hopefully lead to a permanent rotational spot within the defensive line.
Johnathan Hankins will likely remain a fixture on the defensive line and free agent additions Kyle Peko and Bilal Nichols add some veteran depth to the line.
Kyler Fackrell, another intriguing veteran due to his versatility, has not accumulated much during his years within the league and may not make the 53.
The biggest question mark is the #4 overall pick from 2019, Clelin Ferrell, who has not produced at the rate expected of a 1st round/4th pick overall.
Ferrell’s contract is fully guaranteed but with the Raiders not signing Ferrell to his 5th-year option the experiment is all but over. Perhaps Dave Ziegler can find a trade partner…
Did you know the Raiders signed Tua Tagovailoa’s cousin Myron as a UDFA? I didn’t.
Las Vegas Roster predictions: Tight ends
Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, Jacob Hollister, Nick Bowers, Jesper Horsted
If a run-heavy offense is expected from Josh McDaniels it will have to be complemented by a strong group of tight ends.
With Pro Bowler Darren Waller’s spot secured as the #1 receiving tight end, he will be on the field for likely every snap.
When McDaniels deploys a heavy run attack Moreau and veteran (and former Patriot shockingly) Jacob Hollister will likely take the field in 12 (one RB, two TE’S) or even 13 (one RB, three TE’s/FB) personnel.
Hollister, coming from a winning organization in New England, has bounced several franchises before coming to Vegas but this could be the jumpstart he needs.
Hollister played in one Super Bowl with the Patriots and was on IR for the other before being traded to the Seahawks. Expect Hollister to secure a spot alongside Waller and Foster Moreau who stepped in during Waller’s injuries last season.
Moreau, who had 373 receiving yards last season with three touchdowns, is entering the final year of his contract and could be rewarded handsomely by another team if he has a successful 2022 campaign. Expect at least three tight ends to make the final 53.
Denzel Perryman, Jayon Brown, Divine Deablo, Kenny Young, Micah Kiser, Darien Butler, Luke Masterson
The linebacker group has been a position of need for the Raiders for years. The Gruden/Mayock administration hit gold when they signed free agent veteran Denzel Perryman who led the team in tackles in 2021 with a career-high of 154.
Perryman will lead this group and while at times he was a liability when dropping back in coverage Dave Ziegler added several off-the-ball linebackers to assist.
Veterans Jayon Brown, Kenny Young, and Micah Kiser are perfect fits as they can be effective both against the pass and can stop the run.
Young in particular has been effective in blitz packages with his former teams (Rams, Broncos) with two forced fumbles in 2021.
Young’s career highlight is likely an interception off of QB Cam Newton in 2020 that resulted in a 79-yard touchdown.
Sophomore Divine Deablo showed potential at the conclusion of the 2021 season showing promise as an effective weapon within the front seven. Deablo has the versatility to be a consistent contributor and a breakout season would not be shocking, but welcome.
There are limited concerns with this group as they bring both size, toughness, experience, and athleticism to the linebacking corps. Expect the Raiders to keep at least 5 LBs.
Las Vegas Raiders roster prediction: Defensive backs
(Safeties) Johnathon Abram, Trevon Moehrig, Tyree Gillespie, Duron Harmon, Dallin Leavit, Roderic Teamer, (Cornerbacks) Anthony Averett, Trayvon Mullen, Rock Ya-Sin, Nate Hobbs, Darius Phillips, Chris Jones, Amik Robertson, Sam Webb, Bryce Cosby, Stanford Samuels, Cre’von Leblanc.
The Raiders’ secondary is concerning, almost more so than the offensive line. We can acknowledge that it was a mistake to let Casey Hayward leave in free agency as he thrived under former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system.
The Raiders added some veterans in free agency that will be contributors and likely starters based on the lack of depth within the positional group.
Cornerback Trayvon Mullen and strong safety Johnathan Abram are on the final year of their contract and neither is a lock for an extension beyond 2022.
Both will start at their respective positions however it doesn’t seem far-fetched that former Baltimore Raven Anthony Averett could take the starting position from Mullen.
Rock Ya-Sin, who was acquired in a trade with the Colts for DE Yannick Ngakoue, should also see starting reps and be a solid contributor.
Slot cornerback Nate Hobbs had an excellent rookie season and if his off-field concerns could be quieted he is due for another productive season under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Free agent acquisition Duron Harmon will be an excellent depth piece as far as safeties go as well as free agent veteran corners Chris Jones and Darius Phillips.
Expect the front office to keep a significant amount of roster spots for the secondary due to injury and depth concerns.
Las Vegas Raiders roster prediction: Specialists
Dan Carlson, Trent Sieg, AJ Cole
There will be zero shifting within this small but critical unit. Dan “Legatron” Carlson bailed the Raiders out of several critical losses last season with his foot and finished 1st out of all the place kickers in the league scoring 150 points.
Carlson wasn’t the only specialist to land in the #1 spot in the rankings but punter AJ Cole finished first in average yards per punt with 50, which is tremendous.
The two kickers have an excellent bond with long snapper Trent Sieg and the trio will continue to dominate the specialist rankings in 2022. Besides the fullback position, this is the only position group that will have zero position battles during training camp this season.
Final roster prediction and thoughts
The 2022 training camp for the Raiders will be a stressful one for several position groups; specifically the offensive line and the secondary.
These are the two biggest weaknesses within the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders squad and both are critical to success in a talent-filled division.
Coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler will have their hands full making these critical decisions.
The process could be especially difficult considering almost half of the offseason additions came from their former home with the New England Patriots.
After reading all of the above breakdowns here is the final roster prediction for the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders.
Quarterback: Derek Carr, Nick Mullens, Jarrett Stidham
Wide Receivers: Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Demarcus Robinson, Mack Hollins, Keelan Cole
Running Backs: Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden, Zamir White, Brittain Brown
Tight Ends: Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, Jacob Hollister
Fullback: Jakob Johnson
Offensive Line: Kolton Miller, Andre James, Jermaine Eluemunor, Denzelle Good, Dylan Parham, Alex Leatherwood, Thayer Munford, John Simpson
Defensive Line (DT/OLB/DE/NT): Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, Clelin Ferrell, Jonhathan Hankins, Vernon Butler, Bilal Nichols, Matthew Butler, Neil Farrell, Malcolm Koonce, Kyler Fackrell
Linebackers: Denzel Perryman, Jayon Brown, Divine Deablo, Kenny Young, Micah Kiser
Defensive Backs: Johnathon Abram, Trevon Moehrig, Tyree Gillespie, Duron Harmon, (Cornerbacks) Anthony Averett, Trayvon Mullen, Rock Ya-Sin, Nate Hobbs, Darius Phillips, Chris Jones
Specialists (PK, P, LS): Dan Carlson, Trent Sieg, AJ Cole