Ranking Raiders undrafted rookies by most likely to make roster

3 min read
Ranking Raiders undrafted rookies by most likely to make roster

Ranking Raiders undrafted rookies by most likely to make roster

The Raiders signed a whopping 20 undrafted free agents this offseason. We go about trying to rank them starting with most likely to make the roster.

Ranking Raiders undrafted rookies by most likely to make roster

The Raiders signed a whopping 20 undrafted free agents this offseason. We go about trying to rank them starting with most likely to make the roster.

The Las Vegas Raiders wrapped up their rookie minicamp this week, and the real story isn't who they drafted—it's the 20 undrafted free agents they signed. In the NFL, these overlooked prospects often become diamonds in the rough, and with so many new faces, the odds are good that a few will earn a spot on the regular season roster. Let's break down the top candidates most likely to make the cut.

First up, long snapper John Duzanski. He was widely considered the top long snapper in the country coming out of college, and the Raiders' only other option at the position is Alex Ward, who was released by the Rams last season. That makes Duzanski a virtual shoo-in to handle snapping duties in Las Vegas this year.

Next, linebacker Chris "Sorey"—the Raiders entered the draft desperately needing depth at linebacker but didn't select a single one. Enter Sorey, a late-round draftable talent who transferred from Georgia to Arkansas and put up impressive numbers over the past two seasons. He's got the makings of a solid depth player and a standout special teamer, which could be his ticket to the 53-man roster.

Then there's the feel-good story of the offseason: Japanese-born kicker Kaito. He didn't pick up a football until age 19 after watching a Raiders game in Oakland. Now 27, he was the most accurate kicker in college football last year. He'll compete with veteran Matt Gay, who has struggled from beyond 50 yards—missing 11 field goals from that distance over the past two seasons compared to just seven made. The Raiders are giving Kaito every opportunity to win the job, and his journey from fan to player is one to watch.

At running back, there's a fourth-string spot up for grabs, and Kaelon Black could be the guy. He played at Indiana alongside current Raider Fernando Mendoza, and while he was in the shadow of fellow back Kaelon Black, Hemby still rushed for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns. He's a one-cut-and-go back who fits well in a zone-blocking scheme, plus he offers return ability on special teams—a huge bonus for a fringe roster player.

Finally, the Raiders have a "quantity over quality" approach at wide receiver, which means there's always room for an undrafted rookie to sneak in. Keep an eye on Whi—with so many bodies in camp, the competition will be fierce, but the coaching staff is known for giving undrafted players a real shot if they show up and perform.

From long snapper to kicker to running back, these undrafted rookies have a clear path to making the Raiders' roster. Which one will earn his spot? Training camp will tell the tale.

Like this article?

Order custom jerseys for your team with free design

Related Topics

Related News

Back to All News