Final Las Vegas Raiders’ 53-man roster prediction ahead of San Francisco 49ers preseason game

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: Head coach Klint Kubiak of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on as players warm up before a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 27-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s hard for me to believe that the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 training camp is almost over because it feels like they were just getting started not too long ago. But here we are, with the Raiders preparing for their third and final preseason game of the campaign against the San Francisco 49ers and the league’s cutdown day looming on Sunday, Aug. 30. That also means it’s time for my final 53-man roster prediction.

The ‘previously’ sections below refer to the prediction ahead of the Houston Texans game .

Quarterback (2)

Previously:

Starter: Kirk Cousins

Backups: Fernando Mendoza (R)

Cut: Aidan O’Connell , Jacob Clark (R)

Updated :

Starter: Kirk Cousins

Backups: Fernando Mendoza (R)

Cut: Aidan O’Connell , Jacob Clark (R)

O’Connell had a much better performance in last week’s game than what he showed against the Arizona Cardinals. But if the coaching staff wants to keep an extra cornerback, or another player at a different position, then rolling with two quarterbacks will help make the math work out.

That’s especially true since O’Connell is heading into a contract year and, ideally, won’t see the field behind Cousins and Mendoza this season. The best case situation for Las Vegas is that AOC has a strong showing Thursday night to draw some trade interest ahead of cutdown day.

Running Back (4)

Previously:

Starter: Ashton Jeanty

Backups: Mike Washington Jr. (R), Connor Heyward (FB), Dylan Laube

Cut: Roman Hemby (R) , Dare Ogunbowale , Patrick Gurd (R, FB)

Updated :

Starter: Ashton Jeanty

Backups: Mike Washington Jr. (R), Connor Heyward (FB), Dylan Laube

Cut: Roman Hemby (R) , Dare Ogunbowale , Patrick Gurd (R, FB)

A couple of housekeeping items here: I’m lumping the fullbacks in with the running backs, and I’m writing this before we know the full extent of Jeanty’s injury. The Raiders seemingly avoided disaster with Jeanty suffering “just ” a sprained ankle , but how much time he’ll miss is unknown and could alter how many running backs the coaching staff wants to begin the season with.

Hypothetically, say the 2025 first-round pick has to miss the first four games of the year. Then it might make sense to keep a veteran back like Ogunbowale around just in case. Plus, the team also has a question mark at kicker, and Ogunbowale has a career field goal percentage of 100% ; one-for-one from 29 yards. (That’s a joke…kind of…)

Meanwhile, it seems like Laube established himself as the third running back with a strong performance in Houston last week, and Hemby seems like a good candidate for the practice squad.

Wide Receiver (5)

Previously:

Starters: Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech

Backups: Malik Benson (R), E.J. Williams (R), Shedrick Jackson

Cut: Dont’e Thornton Jr., Chase Roberts (R), Dareke Young, Phillip Dorsett II, Deven Thompkins, Noah Brown, Brandon Johnson

Updated :

Starters: Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech

Backups: Malik Benson (R), Dareke Young

Cut: Shedrick Jackson, E.J. Williams (R), Dont’e Thornton Jr., Chase Roberts (R), Phillip Dorsett II, Deven Thompkins, Brandon Johnson

Already Cut: Noah Brown

To be honest, I’m still not really sure who is going to make the team at wide receiver. Klint Kubiak called out the entire position group last Friday , stating that he’s “still looking” for someone to step up and be accountable. That’s why I’m shifting to keeping just five wideouts, and the sixth spot could be left open for an outside hire. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Raiders take a hard look at the waiver wire and add a wideout after cutdown day.

Tight End (3)

Previously:

Starter: Brock Bowers

Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas

Cut: Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam , Chris Myarick

Updated :

Starter: Brock Bowers

Backups: Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas

Cut: Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam , Chris Myarick

On the other end of the spectrum, it feels like tight end is pretty cut and dry. Bowers and Mayer were in street clothes last week—the former hasn’t played at all in the preseason, for that matter—while Thomas can round out the group and serve as a blocking tight end in 13 or 23 personnel. Also, fullback Connor Heyward has some position flexibility if the team gets in a pinch.

Offensive Line (9)

Previously:

Starters: Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze

Backups: Charles Grant, Caleb Rogers, Atonio Mafi, Trey Zuhn III (R)

Cut: Dalton Wagner, Will Putnam, Jordan Meredith, Kamar Missouri (R), Justin Pickett (R), Isaiah Jatta (R), Niklas Henning (R) , Braeden Daniels

Updated:

Starters: Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze

Backups: Charles Grant, Caleb Rogers, Atonio Mafi, Trey Zuhn III (R)

Cut: Dalton Wagner, Will Putnam, Jordan Meredith, Kamar Missouri (R), Justin Pickett (R), Isaiah Jatta (R), Niklas Henning (R) , Braeden Daniels

It feels like there’s only one open roster spot in the trenches for Las Vegas, and it’s a battle between Meredith, Mafi and Putnam. Of the three, Meredith has had the worst preseason to be on the chopping block. Meanwhile, Mafi has had issues in pass protection but has been impressive in the running game, and Putnam’s been the opposite.

Edge (5)

Previously:

Starters: Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce

Backups: Kwity Paye, Keryon Crawford (R), Cian Slone (R)

Cut: Jahfari Harvey, Patrick Johnson

On IR: Brennan Jackson

Updated:

Starters: Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye

Backups: Malcolm Koonce , Keryon Crawford (R), Cian Slone (R)

Cut: Jahfari Harvey, Patrick Johnson

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