Las Vegas Raiders

Oakland Raiders: Breaking Down the Final 53-Man Roster

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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What conclusions can we draw from the Oakland Raiders final roster? Did the coaching staff make a huge mistake with the running back position?

On Saturday, the Oakland Raiders shrank the roster down to 53 players. The following day, the personnel architects added eight players to the practice squad.

As usual, the Raiders’ roster announcements became official far past the deadline. Nonetheless, the decision-makers sent some talented players packing this weekend. The fans questioned one particular cut, which doesn’t make sense until breaking down the lineups.

The Raiders’ scout team deserves much credit for passing unknown names to the front office that became substantial contributors during the preseason. Nothing shows superior talent evaluation than undrafted rookies, who slip past the draft and flash on the field.

Just as you’d expect, another club with a familiar face decided to pounce on a player who lit up the field throughout the preseason. The transaction will bring more Raider fans’ attention to the Cleveland Browns.

We’ll go through the surprises and the roster complexion a week before the season starts for the Silver and Black.

Sep 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (46) carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Four Undrafted Rookies Earn Roster Spots

Kudos to the scout team for digging deep to find rookie gems who didn’t hear their names called on draft day. Defensive lineman Darius Latham, wide receiver Johnny Holton, running back Jalen Richard, and defensive back Antonio Hamilton utilized the preseason as an auditioning tool to claim rosters spots.

Latham lists as the most impressive of the bunch. Due to the uncertainty around Mario Edwards’ return, the Indiana product could see action early and often on the defensive line.

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave should be drawing up plays for the deep threat as the clock ticks closer to the season. Holton becomes a huge threat with the ball in the air and after the catch. He’ll start off as a special teams asset.

The coaching staff couldn’t stop gushing over Richard before he stepped onto the field in his preseason debut. Apparently, his impressive practices put him in the mix early, and he showed enough in two preseason games to earn a roster spot.

We last saw Hamilton deliver a thunderous block on a punt return:

The Raiders likely chose Hamilton over Neiko Thorpe, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts, for special teams purposes.

May 19, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Neiron Ball (58) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Open Position for Coverage Linebacker

Before opening the season, the Raiders have the same problem on defense as the previous year. Which linebacker will cover receiving tight ends in pass routes? Last year, it took five weeks to discover Neiron Ball’s ability to cover tight ends, but his injury rendered the revelation short-lived. After a Week 7 appearance against the San Diego Chargers, he landed on injured reserve. 

Ball battled injuries in college, which factored into his fifth-round draft status. Thus far, the pattern continues into his professional career. The Raiders waived him; he then cleared waivers and now lists on injured reserve again.

At this point, Ball’s perseverance deserves recognition, but he’s unreliable. It’s time to add another coverage linebacker to the roster. Availability remains the first step in helping a football team. Despite Ball’s versatility, he can’t use those skills while on the shelf. The Raiders need Malcolm Smith to show improvement in his coverage ability in the upcoming season.

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Mario Jr. Edwards (97) looks on from the bench during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Mario Edwards on Active Roster

The Raiders could still place Edwards on the physically unable to perform list with a hip strain. However, if there’s confidence in his ability to play before Week 6, why render him inactive with a struggling run defense?

The Raiders shouldn’t rush Edwards back before he’s 100 percent, but he’s one their best assets when defending the run. Unless the hip injury looks worse than initially thought, it’s a good idea to leave him on the active roster. The Raiders travel to Nissan Stadium to play the Tennessee Titans and their exotic smashmouth ground attack in Week 3.

Oakland witnessed DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry’s potential as a running back tandem first hand in the third preseason game. Without Edwards, the Raiders would depend on rookies Jihad Ward, Latham and veteran Denico Autry, who struggled against the run in the previous year to stop a powerful ground attack.

Keep an eye on Edwards’ status as the days progress. If he goes on the PUP list, another roster spot would open for a 53rd player.

September 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) celebrates a defensive stop against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Darius Latham vs Jihad Ward Battle

As previously discussed, Edwards’ absence creates opportunities for Latham and Ward, especially in run-stopping situations. Ward possesses the better draft status, but Latham flashed a lot more than the second-round pick during the preseason. Both defensive linemen will likely alternate as defensive tackles in a four-man front and five-technique defensive ends in a 3-4 scheme. 

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Latham’s ability to track ball-carriers and shed blocks to close gaps gives him the early edge in total snap counts. The undrafted rookie also managed to bat down several passes at the line of scrimmage, which shows timing and athleticism.

Ward flashed in the preseason finale along with Autry, who will pick up where he left off as a starter.

Early in the season, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. will have a tough decision to make between Latham and Ward on who plays and on what particular downs. Whether it’s the undrafted rookie or the second-round pick, the Raiders front line needs one or both to excel on the interior to fend against potential 100-yard rushers.

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) runs the ball against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Taiwan Jones Over George Atkinson III Controversy

George Atkinson III finished as a top-five running back in yards (191) and scored four touchdowns over four games, which include an 80-yard kick return. His contributions didn’t propel him over Taiwan Jones or Richard who earned roster spots.

The fans vehemently disagreed with the decision:

Nonetheless, Silver and Black Pride editor Levi Damien made a valid point about Jones’ value as a special teams asset:

With Latavius Murray, DeAndre Washington and Richard on the depth chart, there’s no room for a fourth running back in the backfield. Atkinson wouldn’t log any carries behind that group. Jones holds more value on special teams as a returner and coverage defender than Atkinson, who’s lacking on the defensive end.

However, Jones’ ball-security issues will likely limit his returns with Washington, Richard and Holton all capable in the same role. Atkinson’s fumble and open-field drop didn’t help his cause.

For fans still begrudgingly coming to terms with Atkinson’s release, the Browns signed him. He’ll play with another former Raider, Terrelle Pryor, under former Raiders head coach Hue Jackson. It’s the Raider redemption trio in Cleveland.

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Daren Bates (56) and linebacker Korey Toomer (54) celebrate a play against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Unexpected Cut: Korey Toomer

Linebacker Korey Toomer popped throughout the entire preseason as a reliable tackler in tight areas and the open field. He contributed to the defense and on special teams.

The Raiders couldn’t find a spot for him on the final roster, but signed him to the practice squad. At the moment, Ben Heeney, Malcolm Smith, and Cory James will line up at inside linebacker. If James struggles at the position, similar to his senior year, Toomer may find himself suiting up on Sundays.

To the naked eye, Toomer outperformed Daren Bates, who rightfully earned a roster spot, but the coaching staff made a different call. As a downhill thumper, Toomer doesn’t solve the Raiders’ issues with intermediate pass coverage, but he’s an experienced special teamer, who can potentially fill in the gaps for Heeney in run-stopping situations.

The Raiders hope to see their 2015 fifth-round pick develop into a complete inside linebacker, but it’s never a bad idea to add depth behind an inexperienced starter.

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