We move to the defensive side of the ball as we fill out the roster. Just as the offensive roster was completed with the line, the trenches are where we begin on the defense.
Starters
Dan Williams – 7th year
Mario Edwards Jr – 2nd year
Denico Autry – 3rd year
Jihad Ward – Rookie (D-2)
Dan Williams had a great first season with the Raiders. He is the anchor to this line, able to start either at nose tackle in the 3-4 or 4-3. Alongside him most of the time will be Mario Edwards who can play defensive end in either set. Also starting at DE is Denico Autry who came on strong late last season. Alongside Williams on the interior in the 4-3 would be Jihad Ward as the 3-tech DT.
Reserves
Justin Ellis – 3rd year
Damontre Moore – 4th year
Leon Orr – 1st year
Stacy McGee – 4th year
There is potentially some good depth here. Ellis is the backup nose tackle and can play alongside Williams in short yardage situations. Damontre Moore is a wildcard. The former third round pick is on his third team in just his fourth season. The team would like to use him as a situational pass rusher. After that it’s McGee, who has been hanging around the bubble his entire career and the undrafted Orr who spend most of his rookie season on the practice squad.
Position battle
Leon Orr vs Stacy McGee
I’ll be the first to admit three reserve defensive tackles seems a bit unlikely. It’s possible these two will be battling for one spot on the roster. McGee is entering the final year on his rookie contract, hoping to earn a second one. Orr impressed the Raiders last season and was called up to the regular season roster late. His main issue has always been maturity. If he can get out of his own way, he can give McGee a run for his money. If not, he will be cut with a spot available on the practice squad if he isn’t signed elsewhere.
Practice squad
Darius Latham – Rookie (UDFA)
Greg Townsend Jr – Rookie (UDFA)
Latham has been getting great reviews so far. He will have his shot to leapfrog McGee and Orr for a spot on the roster, but the practice squad is probably his best hope. Townsend is a second generation Raider raising his odds of sticking around just as George Atkinson III has.
The rest
Branden Jackson – Rookie (UDFA)
Drew Iddings – Rookie (UDFA)
53-man roster projection (31/53)
Quarterbacks (3)
Derek Carr
Matt McGloin
Connor Cook
Running backs (4)
Latavius Murray
DeAndre Washington
Jamize Olawale
Taiwan Jones
Wide receivers (5)
Amari Cooper
Michael Crabtree
Seth Roberts
Andre Holmes
Joe Hansley
Tight end (3)
Clive Walford
Lee Smith
Mychal Rivera
Offensive line (8)
Donald Penn
Kelechi Osemele
Rodney Hudson
Gabe Jackson
Menelik Watson
Austin Howard
Jon Feliciano
Vadal Alexander
Defensive line (8)
Dan Williams
Mario Edwards Jr
Denico Autry
Jihad Ward
Justin Ellis
Damontre Moore
Leon Orr
Stacy McGee
Bubble watch
RB Roy Helu Jr
TE Gabe Holmes
OL Matt McCants
Practice squad (7/10)
RB Jalen Richard
WR Max McCaffrey
WR Jaydon Mickens
OL Denver Kirkland
OL Oni Omoile
DT Darius Latham
DE Greg Townsend Jr
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