The Las Vegas Raiders are two-thirds of the way through the 2024 preseason after losing their second straight exhibition contest on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys.
In the wake of that game, head coach Antonio Pierce announced that Gardner Minshew would be the Raiders' starter over Aidan O'Connell to start the regular season, so the biggest question of the entire offseason has now been answered.
But there are still plenty of roster spots up for grabs after two weeks of the preseason, and players will have one last opportunity to show their stuff in preseason Week 3 on Friday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Ahead of that game and final cuts, which come on Tuesday, Aug. 27, here's a look at our latest 53-man roster prediction for the Raiders following preseason Week 2.
Raiders 53-man roster prediction
Quarterbacks (2)
Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell
Minshew was announced as the starter over O'Connell on Sunday. Keeping a third quarterback wouldn't be shocking by any means, but it really isn't necessary. One of Carter Bradley or Nathan Peterman should clear waivers and end up on the practice squad. Hopefully it's Bradley.
Running backs (4)
Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, Dylan Laube
The only question here is if Laube can work his way up the depth chart to supplant Abdullah for RB3. Otherwise, things are settled, with White set to lead the backfield and Mattison mixing in behind him.
Wide receivers (6)
Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, Jalen Guyton, Kristian Wilkerson
The first four are locked-in, and Guyton gets the benefit of the doubt due to his experience. Wilkerson isn't a lock, so keep an eye on Ramel Keyton, who has shown flashes in practice, and Tulu Griffin, who impressed as a returner in preseason Week 2.
Tight ends (4)
Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, Zach Gentry
The first three spots are good to go, but it remains to be seen who the fourth will be. For now, we have Gentry, who has the most experience of the No. 4 options.
Offensive linemen (9)
Kolton Miller, Cody Whitehair, Andre James, Dylan Parham, Thayer Munford Jr., Andrus Peat, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze, Jordan Meredith
Head coach Antonio Pierce said he doesn't expect JPJ to start Week 1 after missing significant time during the offseason, which leaves Whitehair to start at left guard.
Peat serves as the backup at left tackle, but can also play inside. Glaze will likely be the first option off the bench at right tackle, assuming Peat isn't the top backup there, also. Meredith gives depth inside, and until he starts, JPJ can serve as depth at guard and center.
Interior defensive linemen (5)
Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins, Adam Butler, Byron Young, Nesta Jade Silvera
Wilkins, Jenkins and Butler are locks, but we wouldn't say the same for Young and Jade Silvera. Nevertheless, they occupy the final two spots in our latest 53-man projection.
Edge rushers (4)
Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Tyree Wilson, Janarius Robinson
Another position where three players are locks, with Crosby and Koonce set to start and Wilson serving as depth. It wouldn't be surprising to see someone else besides Robinson occupy the fourth spot.
Linebackers (5)
Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Luke Masterson, Tommy Eichenberg, Amari Gainer
Lock Spillane, Deablo, Masterson and Eichenberg in. Gainer has been a standout over two preseason games and is making a case he belongs. If not Gainer, we'd expect Amari Burney to make the cut.
Cornerbacks (6)
Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Nate Hobbs, Brandon Facyson, Decamerion Richardson, Woo Governor
Write Jones, Bennett, Hobbs, Facyson and Richardson in pen. Of the rest of the depth options, Governor has been the most consistent in two preseason games. However, he's hardly a guarantee.
Safeties (5)
Tre'von Moehrig, Marcus Epps, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Christopher Smith, Trey Taylor
Pola-Mao should be good to go after receiving praise from coaches this offseason and standing out in practice. We'll give Taylor and Smith the benefit of the doubt for now.
Specialists (3)
Daniel Carlson, AJ Cole, Jacob Bobenmoyer
This is the most locked-in position group on the roster. Carlson and Cole have been outstanding during the preseason, and Bobenmoyer is Steady Eddie.
