LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas Raiders are scheduled to open the season Sept. 13 at the Carolina Panthers. Jon Gruden looks to try to make the playoffs in Year 3 of his second stint with the Silver & Black. The Raiders have only made the postseason once in the previous 17 years and haven't won a playoff game since the 2002 season. Here is a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman
Stop me if you've heard this before, but Carr has looked extremely sharp and in command in camp. Mariota, not so much. In fact, he has had trouble throwing the ball and became "day-to-day" late in camp with an undisclosed issue after dealing with offseason shoulder and ankle injuries. Still, a source said each injury was "fine." Peterman was stashed on IR last season. Might the Raiders do the same with Mariota now to get an extra roster spot?
RUNNING BACK (3): Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, Lynn Bowden Jr.
The late-camp addition of Theo Riddick as a pass-catching back is more than intriguing. That's Richard's job, no? In any event, the featured back role belongs to Jacobs, who said he wanted to catch 60 passes, while Bowden will be lined up all over the place by Gruden.
FULLBACK (1):Alec Ingold
Ingold should get some more carries in short-yardage situations and Gruden loves the throwback fullback in his offense.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Henry Ruggs III, Hunter Renfrow, Nelson Agholor, Zay Jones, Bryan Edwards, Rico Gafford
Tyrell Williams going on injured reserve opens up a roster spot for the speedy Gafford, while Agholor and Jones have been revelations in camp. Ruggs' speed has been as fascinating as Edwards' power and Renfrow's penchant for getting open.
TIGHT END (3): Darren Waller, Jason Witten, Foster Moreau
Moreau, who led all NFL rookie tight ends with five TD catches last year, has made an incredible comeback from a torn ACL suffered in Week 14 and Waller is already taking getting-off-the-line-quicker pointers from Witten.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Kolton Miller, Richie Incognito, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Trent Brown, Denzelle Good, Brandon Parker, John Simpson, Sam Young
The trade of David Sharpe to Washington on Tuesday made this position group more clear. With Young getting the majority of Brown's reps at right tackle over Parker until Brown returned late in camp, Young makes it as Brown's backup. And Parker, a starter at right tackle as a third-round rookie in 2018 and Brown's backup there last season, moves to left tackle to back up Miller, allowing the Raiders the option to trade Sharpe.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Maxx Crosby, Johnathan Hankins, Maliek Collins, Clelin Ferrell, Carl Nassib, Maurice Hurst, Daniel Ross, Arden Key
Unless recent additions at defensive end, Datone Jones and Sharif Finch, impress enough to force their way onto the roster, going with just eight D-lineman is one way to create a slot at another position group.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Cory Littleton, Nicholas Morrow, Kyle Wilber, Tanner Muse, Raekwon McMillan
The trade acquisition of McMillan beefs up the Raiders' run defense, though they need more help defending the pass. And while UNLV UDFA Javin White seemed to have a better camp than Muse, Muse is a third-round pick and White should be available for practice squad duty.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (1): Nick Kwiatkoski
Dangerous to have just one MIKE in a 4-3 scheme? Well, yeah, but the Raiders' base defense is essentially a nickel. And with Marquel Lee waived/failed physical, Justin Phillips could also find a roster spot.
CORNERBACK (6): Trayvon Mullen, Damon Arnette, Isaiah Johnson, Amik Robertson, Keisean Nixon, Madre Harper
The release of veteran Prince Amukamara opened up a starting spot for first-round pick Arnette as well as a roster spot for Harper, who has flashed in camp. Keep in mind, Nevin Lawson will serve a one-game suspension to start the season.
SAFETY (5): Johnathan Abram, Damarious Randall, Lamarcus Joyner, Jeff Heath, Erik Harris
Abram, a first-round pick in 2019, appeared in just one game last season after suffering a shoulder injury in the opener. "If people would consider that fool a rookie," mused draft classmate Clelin Ferrell. Abram has been a tad more measured in camp this year.
SPECIALIST (3): Daniel Carlson, AJ Cole, Trent Sieg
The training camp roster being reduced by 10 to 80 essentially ended any real competition here. That being said, Carlson is competing against himself after missing seven of 26 field-goal attempts last season, which included six from 40 yards and out.