What if all NFL teams were made up only of players who were from their state or region? Obviously, some states and regions would be at a disadvantage in this, but it’s an interesting exercise none the less.

With the Raiders now officially making their home in Las Vegas next season, I sifted through the current NFL rosters to see what kind of squad they could put together if they had to pull only from the areas in Nevada or surrounding Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is on the southern tip of Nevada, so it closely borders three other states – California, Arizona, and Utah. But if we’re doing this right, we must figure other NFL teams would have territorial rights to nearby regions. For instance, LA county and most of Southern California is off-limits because the Rams and Chargers have dibs. Likewise, Arizona would belong to the Cardinals.

That leaves the Raiders with some claim to areas in the eastern and central parts of California and a good portion of Utah. It also can include players who spent only a portion of their life in Nevada, including high school and some college. After all, there are only nine active players who were born in Nevada, so it would be impossible to put together a full starting roster if the rules were too strict.

I think you get the gist. With those suggested parameters in place, this is how the Raiders roster might look if utilizing only regional players.

Quarterback: Derek Carr

That’s right, the Raiders would still have Derek Carr. There are no active Nevada native QB’s, so he’s as close as it gets to a regional quarterback. Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, which is not all that far from Vegas as the crow flies. Carr has been the starter for the Raiders for six seasons, heading to three Pro Bowls. Interestingly enough, this concept would also figure to have Jordan Love in play in the draft. He is also from Bakersfield and attended college on the other side of Nevada at Utah State.

Running backs: DeMarco Murray, Kerwynn Williams

This may be cheating a bit because Murray hasn’t played in the NFL since 2017. But the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year is still just 32 years of age, so conceivably he could still play. Murray was born and raised in Las Vegas and attended local Bishop Gorman High School.

Williams was also born and raised in Vegas. He hasn’t suited up in a couple seasons, but the 28-year-old was on the Saints offseason roster last year. He attended neighboring Utah State for college.

Wide receivers: Jace Billingsley, Quincy Enunwa

Billingsley is a Winnemucca Nevada native. The 26-year-old entered the NFL in 2016 with the Detroit Lions, appearing in two games in 2017. The 5-9 189-pound slot receiver type appropriately enough was last on the Patriots practice squad in 2018.

Enunwa is from Moreno Valley, California, which is right off I-15 and a quick 3-hour drive to Vegas. He has spent his entire five-year career with the Jets, starting 30 games with 119 catches for 1619 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Tight end: Xavier Grimble

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Grimble attended local powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School before heading down the road to USC for college. He has spent the past four seasons in Pittsburgh, appearing in 47 games. The 6-4, 261-pounder is more of a blocking tight end, but hey NFL teams need those too. Gruden certainly loves them. Grimble has caught 23 passes for 239 yards and 3 TD’s in his career.

Offensive tackles: Ronnie Stanley, Tyrell Crosby

Another Bishop Gorman alum and Las Vegas native, Stanley is the star of this squad. He was a first-round pick in 2016 and has spent four seasons as the Ravens’ starting left tackle. Last season he was named first-team All-Pro.

Born in Utah and raised in Henderson Nevada, The Green Valley High School grad went to Oregon for college becoming a fifth-round pick by the Lions in 2018. He has appeared in 26 games with 7 starts the past two seasons in Detroit.

Offensive guards: Will Hernandez, Nick Gates

As it happens, Hernandez and Gates were guards on the same Giants squad last season. Hernandez is a Las Vegas native who attended Chaparral high school while Gates went to Bishop Gorman. Hernandez was a 2nd round pick in the 2018 draft and has started every game the past two seasons in New York.

Gates went undrafted in 2018, spending his rookie season on IR before breaking onto the roster last season and appeared in all 16 games last season, starting three.

Center: Austin Corbett

A 2nd round pick (33 overall) in the 2018 draft by the Browns, Corbett was traded midway through his second season to the LA Rams, where he has started every game since. He attended Reed High School in Sparks Nevada and went to the University of Nevada-Reno for college.

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