There are some new players on the Raiders roster, so let’s take a look at how they stack up. We count them down, starting at 25.

25. WR Nelson Agholor (26)

With wide receiver being a major need for the Raiders this offseason, they wanted to make sure they didn’t come away empty-handed.

Agholor hasn’t had a great career, but it hasn’t been all bad either. He has started 63 games in five seasons in Philadelphia. His best season was 2017 in which he had 62 catches for 768 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging 12.4 yards per catch. He didn’t do anything in the return game, though when he was drafted, Mike Mayock spoke highly of that part of his game.

The Raiders still have a need at receiver, so Agholor may be supplanted as a starter rather quickly. Regardless, he can start if needed and strengthens a position that desperately needed it.

24. CB Eli Apple (24)

As the roster is currently constructed, Apple would start at cornerback. Though it was clear the Raiders were attempted to spend big at the position and missed out on their top targets, signing Apple as a consolation. The former No. 10 overall pick never lived up to that draft status. But more because he was overdrafted than underperformed. Though, he did underperform as well.

Apple is one of three former first-round picks the Raiders signed this offseason along with Marcus Mariota (No. 2 overall) and Nelson Agholor (No. 20 overall).

23. DB Lamarcus Joyner (29)

Joyner was highly touted when the Raiders signed him to a big contract last offseason. His versatility allowed the Raider to place him in several different positions. They wanted him as a nickel cornerback. He was not great in that role in his first season with the Raiders, but past play suggests he can be better. And if the Raiders decide they like someone else in the slot or they want to move Joyner to safety, they can do that.

22. FS Jeff Heath (28)

Heath doesn’t get a lot of respect, but he probably should. The 6-1, 212-pounder has started every game in which he’s appeared the past three seasons in Dallas at both strong safety and free safety.

21. FS Erik Harris (29)

Harris earned every snap he has gotten on an NFL field the hard way. Small college player who became a standout special teams player in the CFL. He got the call from the NFL with the Saints when a former teammate put in a word for him. The Raiders came calling, also for his special teams abilities and eventually he worked his way onto the field as part of the defense.

Harris started the final four games of the 2018 season and picked off two passes, adding seven pass breakups. After being supplanted by first-round pick Johnathan Abram in the offseason, he would get his job back when Abram was lost to injury in the season opener.

In 14 starts, Harris had three picks, returning two for touchdowns and adding 8 pass breakups and 74 combined tackles. He is now fighting for his starting spot again, but he has been here before and his ability to step up as a safety as well as his special teams prowess make him a very valuable player to have.

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