Tag: Raiders roster

Raiders projected starting lineup after 2024 NFL Draft

With the Draft class plugged in, here is the Raiders projected starting lineup

There is a lot to be sorted out between now and the start of the season. The Raiders don’t even know how some of the competitions will play out between incumbents and newcomers. But based on what we know now, and who is currently on the roster, we can certainly make some projections.

(Newcomers in bold)

Offense

QB Gardner Minshew
RB Zamir White
WR Davante Adams
WR Jakobi Meyers
TE Brock Bowers
TE2 Michael Mayer
LT Kolton Miller
LG Dylan Parham
C Andre James
RG Jackson Powers-Johnson
RT Thayer Munford

Notes: Their top two picks — Brock Bowers and Jackson Powers-Johnson — should take on starting roles right away. While third round pick DJ Glaze will compete with Thayer Munford for the starting right tackle job and sixth round RB Dylan Laube will figure to do most of his work on special teams early on.

Minshew and second-year QB Aidan O’Connell will battle for the starting QB job, but Minshew is more seasoned and proven, so I would put him as the Day one starter.

Defense

DT Christian Wilkins
DT John Jenkins
ED Maxx Crosby
ED Malcolm Koonce
LB Robert Spillane
LB Divine Deablo
CB Jack Jones
CB Brandon Facyson
SCB Nate Hobbs
SS Marcus Epps
FS Tre’von Moehrig

Notes: No defensive players from this year’s class currently projected to be immediate starters. First off, they didn’t select their first defender until Day 3 when they took raw cornerback Decamerion Richdardson. He has all the physical tools, which will help him on special teams for now, but otherwise he’s a development prospect.

Special teams is the way for all the Raiders’ Day three picks. The others are LB Tommy Eichenberg, S Trey Taylor, and CB MJ Devonshire.

Who is Kendal Vickers? Longshot DE lands on Raiders’ initial 2020 roster

There are few surprises on the Raiders’ final 2020 roster, especially on defense. One name, however, is quite unfamiliar.

Scanning the Raiders’ opening week roster, most of the names are familiar, even if some may be new to the club, such as linebacker Raekwon McMillan.

One name jumps out, however: Kendal Vickers. Who is this guy? A look at his profile on Pro Football Reference reveals his height, weight and little else. He’s recorded zero stats in the NFL.

For starters, he’s a defensive end out of the University of Tennessee, measuring 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds. He signed a free-agent deal with the Steelers in 2018 after going undrafted and spent time on the Titans’ practice squad.

And while he’s recorded zero NFL stats, he’s notched some numbers in the Canadian Football League. In 2019, Vickers had 12 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble for the Edmonton Eskimos, according to the Raiders’ official website. 

After signing with the Raiders on Jan. 23, he earned his roster spot in part due to his versatility, according to general manager Mike Mayock

“Kendal had a great camp. He came in at about 290 pounds and when he came out of college a couple years ago, he ran in the 4.7’s and we know that [defensive line coach] Rod Marinelli loves defensive lineman that can run with quick feet,” Mayock told reporters on Sunday. “Vickers was a guy with great feet. So, we bring him in here and not only did he compete at a high level for every snap, but he did both inside and outside. So, I think he gets a little bit of inside-outside capability and because of that, it gave him a leg up on a roster spot.”

Coach Marinelli covets defensive lineman that can play both inside and on the edge, and that apparently helped Vickers’ chances. The Raiders’ brass considers competitiveness a vital attribute, and that also worked in Vickers’ favor.

The 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash that Mayock mentions in intriguing. Though according to multiple sources online, Vickers’ 40-time at his pro day was roughly 5 seconds flat.

Vickers’ story is uplifting, but it’s surprising that the Raiders don’t have a better prospect in this roster slot. Defensive end is an important position in the NFL, and the Las Vegas defense is far from established.

Mayock had three 3rd round picks to address this vital area, for instance, but instead chose two playmakers (with one, Lynn Bowden Jr., no longer with the club) and a project in Tanner Muse, who will attempt to transition from safety to linebacker when he comes off the injured reserve list.

But Vickers’ current status isn’t set in stone. Far from it. The Raiders have shown they’re quick to move on from any player on the roster if it’s not working out as they’d hope. But for now, it appears Vickers will have an opportunity to let the world know exactly who he is on a team starved for defensive playmakers.