Golden Gate Sports
Fansided

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

By Kevin Saito

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Raider fans enjoy the prematch atmosphere during the NFL match between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium on September 28, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Raider fans enjoy the prematch atmosphere during the NFL match between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium on September 28, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 11
Next
Oakland Raiders
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Khalil Mack /

Defensive Line (9)

Starters: Mario Edwards Jr., Eddie Vanderdoes, Justin Ellis, Khalil Mack

Reserves: James Cowser, Treyvon Hester, Denico Autry, Darius Latham, Jihad Ward

With the return of Mario Edwards Jr., and the departure of an ineffective Dan Williams, the Raiders’ defensive line seems poised to have a better season. Hey, given their lack of pressure or push up the middle, and their average (at best) run defense, the line has nowhere to go but up, right?

This year though, the Raiders look to have some help along that defensive line. Along with the return of Edwards, McKenzie may have gotten one of the bigger steals in the draft in third-rounder Eddie Vanderdoes out of UCLA.

Live Feed

Khalil Mack blatantly calls out Chargers teammates after Broncos loss
Khalil Mack blatantly calls out Chargers teammates after Broncos loss /

Bolt Beat

  • Khalil Mack's record-setting 2023 for Chargers nearly never happened Bolt Beat
  • Khalil Mack carries Chargers to snooze fest win over Patriots Bolt Beat
  • Chargers news: Keenan Allen injury, Khalil Mack award, Josh Palmer injury update Bolt Beat
  • Chargers LB Joey Bosa carted off the field in Week 11. Out vs. Ravens? Ebony Bird
  • Deshaun Watson and the 5 worst contracts in the NFL right now FanSided

    • Vanderdoes has flashed in camp and has really caught the attention of this coaching staff. He’s flashed through camp and has made some plays. Vanderdoes looks capable of helping give the Raiders defensive line a push up the gut they’ve been sorely lacking.

    He’s going to have plenty of help though. James Cowser has had a solid offseason and looks primed for a roster spot. Denico Autry has been reliable and productive, and as a rookie, Darius Latham showed last season that he can be an asset in run defense and helping with that interior pass rush.

    Treyvon Hester, a seventh-round pick this season, has been developing through camp and has made some very nice plays through the exhibition season – most notably, a two sack performance against the Cardinals. Hester is a big, athletic body, and seems primed for a spot on Oakland’s defensive line.

    The biggest question mark is whether Jihad Ward, in his second season with the team, can rebound from a very disappointing rookie campaign and be the force on the line the Raiders thought he’d be when McKenzie used a second-round pick to take him a year ago. He’ll likely hold on to his roster spot just so the team can see if he’s progressing.

    Home/Las Vegas Raiders News