Oakland Raiders: Way-too-early 53-man roster predictions

Specialists

Roster: Daniel Carlson [K], Johnny Townsend [P], Trent Sieg [LS] (3)

Cuts: A.J. Cole [P], Andrew DePaola [LS] (2)

After multiple injuries to the team’s specialists last season, there should be some position battle drama to watch out for this preseason. Daniel Carlson stepped in and secured the kicking job after nailing 16-of-17 kicks with the team last season, but the other two jobs are up for grabs.

Punter Johnny Townsend struggled last season after being selected in the fifth round of last year’s draft. Undrafted NC State product A.J. Cole was a four-year starter in college and enters into a position battle that should be wide open.

Don’t be surprised if the Raiders opt to bring in another punter to compete in training camp and the preseason after the release of former Los Angeles Chargers punter Drew Kaser earlier this month.

We also should find ourselves beholding a miraculous long snapper battle between veteran Andrew DePaola and the young gun Trent Sieg. The Raiders made headlines when they decided to make DePaola the highest-paid long snapper in the NFL last offseason but his Raiders career could be over before it ever really started.

Oakland has an out if they cut him before this year and it would cost them a whopping $0 in dead cap. The Raiders could opt to go with the cheaper option in Sieg who had no mishaps taking over for DePaola after his injury last season.