The Las Vegas Raiders open the 2025 NFL regular season on the road against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 7. With Geno Smith leading the offense, Las Vegas appears to have enough firepower to test opposing defenses, but questions about roster depth, especially along the offensive line and at cornerback, loom before the season begins. Coach Pete Carroll is expected to give younger players a chance early, meaning this year’s rookie class could be asked to contribute right away if the Raiders are to make a push in a crowded AFC West.
53-man projection overview
The Raiders must trim their roster by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is the current projection by position.
Quarterback (3): Geno Smith, Aidan O’Connell, Cam Miller
– Outside of Smith, depth at quarterback is a concern. O’Connell has had an inconsistent training camp, and his right wrist injury from the preseason finale remains uncertain. He also turned the ball over four times in three preseason games, and the coaching staff has indicated the offense isn’t as fast with him under center. Miller’s dual-threat ability is appealing for development, but he isn’t viewed as a ready-made backup yet. The Raiders could still explore options at quarterback if depth doesn’t improve.
Running Back (4): Ashton Jeanty, Zamir White, Raheem Mostert, Dylan Laube
– Jeanty could be a versatile, three-down back in Chip Kelly’s offense, but Las Vegas is expected to lean on multiple contributors. White has emerged as a reliable second back, with a physical running style described as “the hammer.” Laube earns a special-teams edge over Sincere McCormick and could factor in on offense as a return threat and depth option.
Wide Receiver (5): Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton Jr., Jack Bech, Tommy Mellott
– Meyers remains the most trusted target, while Tucker and Thornton bring big-play ability on the outside. Their presence should free Meyers to work through the middle, creating favorable matchups in the Raiders’ passing attack.
Tight End (3): Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
– Bowers is expected to be Smith’s go-to target, with their connection growing rapidly since OTAs. Mayer has had a strong camp and is projected to play a meaningful role in two-tight-end sets or in two-TE packages. Ian Thomas provides additional versatility and depth at tight end.
Offensive Line (10): Kolton Miller, Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith, Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze, Alex Cappa, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant, Thayer Munford Jr., Laki Tasi
– The starting five appear to be forming, with Meredith at center and Powers-Johnson at right guard. The coaching staff has expressed confidence in the current line structure. Depth at tackle remains a concern, though, which could test the group if injuries arise.
Defensive Tackle (6): Adam Butler, Thomas Booker IV, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Jonah Laulu, Leki Fotu
– Booker has stood out since the trade from Philadelphia, and the Raiders have rotated interior linemen in practice and games. They’ll need to continue developing depth to compensate for the void left by Wilkins.
Defensive End (4): Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Tyree Wilson, Charles Snowden
– Koonce has teased the form that made him a developmental standout, though his return from a season-ending knee injury has required patience. Wilson is expected to take on more responsibility in the third year, with flexibility to rush from the edge or interior as needed.
Linebacker (5): Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts, Devin White, Jamal Adams, Tommy Eichenberg
– Adams has made a smooth transition from safety to linebacker and is expected to contribute in rotations. Pratt, Roberts, and White should help in the run game, but pass-coverage consistency remains an area to watch.
Cornerback (5): Darien Porter, Eric Stokes, Decamerion Richardson, Darnay Holmes, Kyu Blu Kelly
– Corner is one of the standout question marks. Kelly has had a strong camp and could win a starting job, but the Raiders may still pursue help at corner after the cut-downs to shore up depth.
Safety (5): Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Chris Smith II, Terrell Edmunds
– The safety room took a hit when Johnson suffered a leg injury in August, but the team expects him back later in the season. Smith has been used as a third safety in nickel packages, adding versatility to the group.
Specialists (3): Daniel Carlson (K), AJ Cole (P), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS)
– Carlson and Cole are widely regarded as among the top players at their positions, and there’s reason to expect that continued excellence in 2025.
What this means for the Raiders
– The offense has playmakers and a clear top receiving option in Meyers, plus speed from Tucker and Thornton. If the quarterback depth solidifies—particularly behind Smith—the unit could push for consistent production.
– Depth across the board remains the primary concern, with the offensive line and secondary being areas where injuries or underperformance could force unexpected lineups early in the season.
– Rookie and depth players will play a major role this season, and the coaching staff’s willingness to rotate and give opportunities to younger players could accelerate development if results follow.
Outlook and takeaways
– The Raiders face a notable challenge in building a complete 53-man squad that can compete with strong teams in the AFC West. A faster start may hinge on how quickly O’Connell’s health and acclimation improve, how effectively the offensive line gels, and how well the secondary can handle diverse passing attacks.
– Cut-down day will be critical for reinforcing corners and safety depth, and for ensuring special teams units are sound—areas that often decide close games.
Summary
Las Vegas enters the 2025 season with a high-powered weaponry at wide receiver and a potentially dynamic tight end group, but questions about quarterback depth, offensive-line reliability, and cornerback depth could shape their early-season results. The Raiders will rely on a mix of veterans and emerging rookies to shoulder meaningful roles, with a keen eye on how rapid development translates into a competitive push in a crowded AFC West.
Additional comments
– If you’re following the Raiders this season, keep an eye on how quickly the rookie class adapts and how the coaching staff balances development with winning now. A steady, healthy preseason foundation could translate into a confident Week 1 approach against a strong Patriots team.
Note: All facts are drawn from the provided roster projection and surrounding notes.