The Raiders upgraded their quarterback depth this week by trading for Kenny Pickett from the Browns, a move that left no room on the 53-man roster for sixth-round pick Cam Miller, who was waived Tuesday as the team finalized its initial roster.
Pickett is slated to back up Geno Smith, with Aidan O’Connell set to miss several weeks due to a wrist injury. O’Connell was not placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, but could be moved to IR as the roster shuffling continues on Wednesday.
In addition to Miller, the Raiders waived sixth-round pick Tommy Mellott, who had been listed as a wide receiver after playing quarterback in college. Both Miller and Mellott could return on the practice squad if they go unclaimed.
The team also waived or released a number of players across multiple positions, including defensive linemen Zach Carter, Jahfari Harvey, Treven Ma’ae, and Ovie Oghoufo; running backs Chris Collier and Sincere McCormick; wide receivers Shedrick Jackson, Justin Shorter, and Alex Bachman; linebacker Matt Jones; offensive linemen Atonio Mafi, Luki Tasi, and Dalton Wagner; tight ends Carter Runyon and Albert Okwuegbunam; and defensive backs Trey Taylor, Greedy Vance, JT Woods, and Terrell Edmunds.
Safety Lonnie Johnson was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.
What this means for the Raiders: the acquisition of Pickett adds experienced depth at a critical position as the team copes with O’Connell’s injury and the ongoing roster reshuffle. The potential to stash Miller and Mellott on the practice squad provides future development options at quarterback without occupying active roster spots. The moves reflect the club’s effort to balance immediate needs with long-term depth ahead of the regular season.
Overall, the Raiders finalized their 53-man roster by adding Pickett and trimming several players, while keeping a path open for young quarterbacks to land back with the organization on the practice squad if possible. The quarterback room now features Pickett backing up Geno Smith, with O’Connell’s injury timing playing a central role in the immediate plan. Positive outlook: the depth at QB could offer more stability and competition as the season approaches, and the practice squad safety net allows continued development for the organization’s young signal-callers.