NFL “cut day”, or better known as the day after preseason ends, is on Tuesday August 26th at 1 PM PT.
The Las Vegas Raiders, along with the rest of the NFL, will have to trim their rosters down to 53 by that time and for everyone that is cut, they’ll end up on the NFL’s wavier wire. The wavier is simply like fantasy football, it’s an order from 1 (Titans) to 32 (Eagles), and is an exact replica of the NFL’s draft order, without trades. The Raiders will pick 6th in this years initial waiver wire order, and thus are likely to have a strong chance at landing someone on the wire they like. Last season, the Raiders claimed IDL Jonah Laulu, a 7th round pick by the Colts, who went on to have a rather strong season posting 35 tackles, three for loss, a sack, and three breakups while also adding two hits, 9 pressures, and starting 7 of his 17 games played. Laulu played in just under 500 snaps and the 6’5/290 DL looks to have a big role in 2026. Additionally, the team added safety Thomas Harper from the Chargers who started five games posting 26 tackles, an interception and two breakups while logging 191 snaps and 265 snaps on special teams. Harper is currently pushing for the final safety spot.
All that said, it’s not uncommon for a team to find a strong depth piece, or even a quality starter on the waiver wire during cut downs. Teams often use this day as a way to really solidify the bottom of their roster and move on from players that they think can be upgraded off of. The Raiders have needs in a few key positions and the waiver order may help them immensely:
Backup QB:
I had this article finished and all ready to go, then the Cardinals game happened and that was something. Prospective backup QB Aidan O’Connell fractured his wrist on a strip sack and will be out till likely midseason if not longer and rookie Cam Miller finished the day with a 50% completion rate on 24 attempts. The Raiders didn’t have a backup QB battle, then O’Connell created an opening with his performance in weeks 1-2, Cam Miller took advantage of that in week one before having two very below average games in weeks 2-3. Needless to say, the Raiders need a backup QB. If a team is playing their backup QB routinely, it doesn’t bode well for the team in general (yes I know Nick Foles exists), but the Raiders are hoping that isn’t the case and if they need a backup QB it’s simply for small snap instances. Cam Miller likely will be waived and land on the practice squad, Aidan O’Connell is heading for the IR and that leaves…… nobody at QB behind Geno Smith, well there’s Tommy Mellott and Jakobi Meyers sorta. Regardless, Las Vegas will have to add a QB to fill that role for now, and potentially longer if things go well. The Giants will likely only carry one of Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito on their roster with Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart leaving the Raiders an option to nab one of them. Winston and John Spytek have a history from their times in Tampa Bay and that may be Raiders best avenue. Other options include Browns QBs Kenny Pickett and Tyler Huntley, Chargers backup(s) Tayler Heinicke and Easton Stick, Buccaneer’s Kyle Trask, Bills’ Mike White, Dolphins’ Skylar Thompson, Cowboys’ Trey Lance, and Cardinals’ Clayton Tune (who tossed 83 yards, a TD, and a 60% comp rate with 47 rushing yards last night). A sneaky candidate is Vikings QB Max Brosmer who may be outside with Minnesota carrying JJ McCarthy and Carson Wentz.
Tight End:
Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are locks to make the roster, and Bowers seems to be bound for his 2nd All-Pro honor in as many years. After Bowers and Mayer it’s a little interesting. Veteran Ian Thomas seems to have the third spot locked up, but he hasn’t blown anyone away this pre-season. The 29 year old is best known for his blocking, which has looked adequate in pre-season through just 28 snaps. He’s added 2 receptions, 24 yards, and one drop. Other options include Qadir Ismail whos racked up 42 yards on 4 receptions and been an average blocker, but he’s limited at only 220 pounds and needs time to develop. UDFA Carter Runyon has flashed at times, but likely is bound for the practice squad unless the Raiders carry 4 tight ends. While it will likely be difficult to find an upgrade off the veteran Thomas, solely for his ability to be an average blocker and receiver, the Raiders could look to add someone that is a better blocker so they can limit Bowers time on the field during run downs. Giants 3rd year TE Daniel Bellinger, a San Diego State alumni, seems like a possible addition.
Bottom of Roster WR:
The Raiders seem content with the top of their wide receiver room, having Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and 4th round rookie Dont’e Thornton slated to start with 2nd rounder Jack Bech as the primary backup. After those four, it remains to be seen if the Raiders are over the top with the rest of their room. Rookie Tommy Mellott has all the athletic traits in the world, but he hasn’t flashed much in pre-season. Mellott likely won’t clear waiver due to his athletic ability, and the Raiders have plans for him as a gadget WR/QB/RB hybrid with key special teams value. That leaves one spot currently between Phillip Dorsett, Collin Johnson, and Alex Bachman. Bachman seems to be the leader, posting 4 rec for 51 yards in preseason and the 29 year old has good film as a blocker and on special teams. Veterans Phillip Dorsett and Collin Johnson (who may sneak in due to his 6’6/225 frame) are likely bound for the practice squad. Through that, the Raiders may be able to upgrade the bottom of their roster at WR with a quality ST player who can also provide value as a receiver given how limited the room is after the first four. Panthers WRs Adam Thielen, Hunter Renfrow, and David Moore, Lions’ Tim Patrick, Patriots Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker, and Jets Malachi Corley all seem to be players that have a chance to be released. Free agent WR Gabe Davis could also be considered for an additional spot.
Offensive Line:
The Raiders are pretty much set at eight of their offensive line positions with tackles Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze starting and the interior likely being set with Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith, and Jackson Power-Johnson. That leaves Alex Cappa and rookies Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant as your backups. Things get interesting after that, most teams carry at least nine offensive lineman and while fourth year tackle Thayer Munford seems like the option, he’s struggled heavily in preseason and might garner trade interest from teams lacking depth on their OL (Falcons and Bengals standout). Teams cut quality offensive lineman in preseason, that’s just the way things fall, often do to teams having deep offensive line rooms. Las Vegas could move Munford for a draft pick, and claim a younger tackle to replace him such as Vikings’ Logan Brown, Bills Chase Lundt and Ryan Van Demark, Patriots Caedan Wallce and Cole Strange, Jaguars Javon Foster, and Eagles Cameron Williams all of which have shown promise in preseason.
DL Depth:
The Raiders are going to carry Maxx Crosby, Tyree Wilson, and Malcolm Koonce for sure at EDGE. It’s interesting after that with Charles Snowden and Andre Carter battling for the final position. Las Vegas likely is going to carry Snowden, simply based on his production last year with Carter ending up on the practice squad but they could look in a different direction and target someone on the wire should they value the potential, additionally the team could target someone they want to work with DL coach Rob Leonard and attempt at developing or reviving their career (similar to K’Lavon Chaisson in 2024). Eagles EDGE Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari stand out as a notable candidate due to the talent on the Eagles DL along with Ravens EDGE David Ojabo, Saints Isaiah Foskey, and Patriots Anfernee Jennings
In terms of the interior side of the ball, Las Vegas will most likely not touch the room settling to carry Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, JJ Pegues, Thomas Booker IV, and Tonka Hemingway and bank on the development of young players. Despite this, there’s always the possibility of the Raiders finding someone they like on the wire and being aggressive to upgrade the room, or add another body. While unlikely, Bears NT Andrew Billings seems to potentially be on the cut block after playing later into the Bears 2nd preseason game. Bills former third round pick DeWayne Carter also stands out as a potential cut candidate due to his play time and the Bills rookie DL making noise. Another possible candidates include Texans Denico Autry, Steelers DeMarvin Leal, and 49ers Jordan Elliott. The Raiders most likely would add a true nose tackle, as the roster lacks one, but more than likely they’ll stay pat here other than the EDGE room.
Cornerback:
The biggest spot for the Raiders, the room is rather thin. Darien Porter, Eric Stokes, and Kyu Blu Kelly seem to be in line to start for the team with Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes, and JT Woods backing them up. It’s more than a weak room, and Las Vegas has to know they need to address the position. While it’s almost impossible, but not fully, to find a starting CB during roster cuts there’s a couple notable names that standout. The Raiders have to be searching both free agency and the waiver wire for veteran additions that can be inserted into the room and either start or upgrade the floor of a rather young and highly unproven secondary. Steelers CB Beanie Bishop Jr, a UDFA from West Virginia in 2024, seems to be on the outside looking in. Bishop snagged 4 INT and 11 PBU as a rookie in the slot but lost his spot to veteran Jalen Ramsey. Additionally, Broncos CBs Damari Mathis and Kris Abrams-Drain could be on the way out and both would upgrade the Raiders secondary. The Eagles boast veteran CB Adoree’ Jackson who seems to be falling behind younger talent in Philadelphia, but has experience with Raiders DC Patrick Graham. There’s multiple other possible players on their ways out but Las Vegas has to add to the CB room without a doubt.
