Oakland Raiders: Way-too-early 53-man roster predictions
By Justin Fried
We may still be a few months out from the start of the 2019 NFL season, but here’s our way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the Oakland Raiders.
As May continues to wind down and we slowly inch towards the start of the 2019 season, the anticipation for Oakland Raiders fans begins to grow. With each passing day, we find ourselves even closer to the start of football season and the beginning of a new era for the Raiders.
It may be a bit early as we still sit over three months out from the first regular season contest, but that doesn’t mean we don’t already have a good idea of what the roster is going to look like. With OTA’s in full swing, position battles are starting to emerge and some players are beginning to stand out.
While it’s impossible to accurately predict exactly what will go down from now until September, we could use the information we know to give our best possible estimate. Of course, injuries will occur, waiver wire additions will be in play, and there may even be a trade or two.
But using all of the information at our disposal, here is our best estimate of what the Raiders 53-man roster might look like at the start of the 2019 season.
Quarterbacks
Roster: Derek Carr, Mike Glennon (2)
Cuts: Nathan Peterman (1)
There should be no real surprises here. After releasing Landry Jones a few days ago, the backup quarterback job seems to be Mike Glennon‘s to lose.
Perhaps Jon Gruden‘s unexplained infatuation with Nathan Peterman could give him a leg up on the competition but it’s more likely the team goes with the established veteran in this case. In all likelihood, the Raiders will try and sign Peterman on to their practice squad as he still has eligibility remaining.
There’s also still a possibility that Oakland decides to add another player to their QB room ahead of the preseason. Perhaps another young quarterback could push Peterman for said practice squad spot.
Of course, Derek Carr will return as the team’s starter ahead of a prove-it season for the Raiders $125 million man. Carr could prove his doubters wrong with a bounce-back 2019 campaign or force Oakland to rethink their quarterback plans for the future if he struggles again.