Oakland Raiders: Predicting The Team’s Final 53-Man Roster

The Oakland Raiders are approaching cutdown day and have a number of decisions to make about the final 53-man roster – here’s one prediction of how it plays out.

Following another exhibition loss, this time to Dallas, the Oakland Raiders are starting to get ready for the looming cutdown day and the start of the season against the Tennessee Titans.

Yeah, they still technically have one more exhibition game against Seattle later on this week, but it’s a formality. It would be surprising if any of the starters saw the field. No need to risk injury to your stars in a game that means absolutely nothing.

No, the only people likely to play against the Seahawks will be reserves, guys who are going to be cut and are auditioning for other teams, and a few players who are still on the bubble.

Thursday’s game against Seattle is likely going to be one final chance for anybody still on the roster bubble to make a case for themselves. Their final chance to flash and give the coaching staff something to think about before making the decisions on the final 53.

It’s likely that the coaches already have their final 53 in mind. That they’ve seen enough through camp and the first three exhibition games to know who they want to take with them into the regular season. It’s very likely that HC Jack Del Rio and his staff know which names will be on the roster come opening day already.

But – it’s possible they’re still waffling about a player or two, and want to give them a little more time to shine. To impress them. To make a statement about why they should be included on the opening day roster.

How will the 53-man roster shake out after Thursday? Here’s one prediction…