I've watched 11 training camp practices and I'm ready to set a baseline.
I've already done a pair of 53-man roster projections, one prior to OTAs and another coming out of minicamp. But things can change quickly, and we've already seen a handful of players cut or land on injured reserve, and we've seen even more players missing significant time due to injury.
We broke it all down on the latest episode of the Audacy original podcast Inside Black & Gold. Listen to the full episode in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
We don't have nearly enough information right now to confidently set a roster, but with the preseason opener a week away, I think it's helpful to update that listing now so we can see who plays their way onto or off of the projection as we go. That's what this is about.
So without further ado, here's the listing for every position as well as the 17-man practice squad (which includes the international slot).
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OFFENSE
(click here for full podcast segment)
QUARTERBACK (3)
- Derek Carr
- Jake Haener
- Spencer Rattler
Why: This was my read from the jump, and nothing I've seen has really changed that. Spencer Rattler has looked solid and there's potential to develop as a starting quarterback, but he's still prone to some rookie moments and I just think Jake Haener provides a more stable backup option. I'm not cutting Spencer, but I also don't want his first ever rep to come in an emergency scenario where he's running onto the field in an ugly situation. I think the preseason games will go a long way toward deciding this position.
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RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK (6)
- Alvin Kamara
- Jamaal Williams
- Jordan Mims
- Kendre Miller
- Adam Prentice
- Taysom Hill
Cut: Jacob Kibodi; James Robinson; Zander Horvath
Why: This is somewhat of a change from previous roster projections, but I think it makes the most sense. Keeping six running backs/fullbacks sounds a bit outlandish, but bear in mind I'm listing Taysom Hill here because it feels like the most applicable position group, but he's not really a fullback or a running back. But even with that caveat I'm still keeping four running backs and a fullback. I'm going with Prentice because he's established, but honestly flip a coin for those two. Beyond that, I'm just not ready to cut my third round pick from last year, even if he's been wildly frustrating in terms of availability. What I am doing is sending a message and seeing if that sticks, and that message is Kendre getting passed over on the depth chart by UDFA Jordan Mims. This system relies heavily on the RB position, so I'm OK with loading up her as long as those backs can contribute on special teams.
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WIDE RECEIVER (5)
- Chris Olave
- Rashid Shaheed
- Cedrick Wilson
- Stanley Morgan Jr.
- A.T. Perry
Cut: Mason Tipton; Bub Means; Equanimeous St. Brown; Samson Nacua; Marquez Callaway
Why: This position is a tough one, but I do think the new offense allows for a group that can carry one fewer WR than you might have previously. I'm going with five, and Stanley Morgan's upside as a special teams ace just makes sense. He's also been surprisingly involved in the offense early on. I'm also keeping A.T. Perry over Mason Tipton at this point, but that's honestly only because I want a bigger WR as an option in the red zone. Keep in mind that while Perry has been quiet, we were saying the same things last year until he went out in the preseason opener and lit it up. I'll at least give him until I consider putting him on the cut line. I also think it's just tough to justify keeping Tipton on the 53 when his only utility on special teams is as a return ace, and his skillset is a little redundant with your top two receivers. I want to keep him around as insurance if I have to replace Olave or Shaheed at any point, but I feel confident that he'll make it to the practice squad for that purpose. I really don't like cutting my draft picks, but Bub really needs to get on the field to make much of a case. He's missed too much time to just slot him in there.
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TIGHT END (4)
- Juwan Johnson
- Foster Moreau
- Dallin Holker
Cut: Michael Jacobson; Kevin Rader; Mason Fairchild
Why: No real surprise here. I think Dallin has played well enough to stick around and I just don't know how you can go into the season without hedging your bets on Juwan's health. You could make a fair argument that you should consider Taysom in this group and that it doesn't make sense to keep a fourth tight end, opting instead to try to stash Holker on the practice squad and maybe keep another wide receiver or linebacker. For now I'm going to be optimistic for a UDFA that I'm becoming a big fan of.
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OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
- Taliese Fuaga
- Lucas Patrick
- Erik McCoy
- Cesar Ruiz
- Trevor Penning
- Landon Young
- Nick Saldiveri
- Oli Udoh
- Shane Lemieux
Cut: Sincere Haynesworth; Kyle Hergel; Josiah Ezirim; Jesse Davis
Why: My biggest concern here isn't that I'm only keeping nine offensive lineman, it's that I'm not sure how many I can count on. Whether through injuries or ineffective play, there are a lot of question marks with this group. I wouldn't be surprised if you add another piece after cutdowns, but for now I'm going with the starters, Saldiveri despite the injury and a trio of veterans that I know have at least done it before.
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DEFENSE
(click here to listen to full podcast segment)
DEFENSIVE END (5)
- Cam Jordan
- Carl Granderson
- Chase Young
- Payton Turner
- Isaiah Foskey
Cut: Trajan Jeffcoat; Niko Lalos
Why: This is a smaller group than it might've been in the past, but that decision is made for me by the injuries to Kpassagnon and Jeffcoat. I'd expect both guys to start the season on a reserve list with the opportunity to come back if healthy and needed. This is one of the two strongest positions on the roster from top to bottom, along with cornerback.
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DEFENSIVE TACKLE (4)
- Khalen Saunders
- Bryan Bresee
- Nathan Shepherd
- Khristian Boyd
Cut: Kyler Baugh; Jack Heflin; Kendal Vickers
Why: I was very tempted to only keep three players here to try to keep one of my draft picks at another position, but in the end Khristian Boyd is the Day 3 pick that has looked the most impressive to this point. If I'm deciding between him and the other Day 3 selections, he's the one I'm sticking with. The question will be if you need that many interior linemen. If the answer is no, I expect it'd be to keep an extra linebacker who can help on special teams.
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LINEBACKER (5)
- Demario Davis
- Pete Werner
- Willie Gay
- Anfernee Orji
- D'Marco Jackson
Cut: Jaylan Ford; Khaleke Hudson; Monty Rice; Isaiah Stalbird; Mike Rose
Who: This situation gets muddled a bit if Demario's hamstring injury lingers, but for now we know for certain the top three names on this list are locks. Past that we can have a debate, but the two most impressive linebackers behind the starters have been Orji and Jackson. Both players spent the 2023 season in New Orleans and Jackson had seen a good amount of action on special teams. Both guys know the defense and they'll be difficult to unseat. I really don't want to cut Jaylan Ford, so I wouldn't be surprised if you try to make something work at another position to keep him around.
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CORNERBACK (4)
- Marshon Lattimore
- Paulson Adebo
- Alontae Taylor
- Kool-Aid McKinstry
Cut: Shemar Jean-Charles; Mac McCain; Rico Payton; Rezjohn Wright
Why: There are some positions with tough decisions. This isn't one of those positions. Honestly it doesn't even really have much to do with the depth options so much as it does the strength of the top options. I don't see the need for more than four CBs on the active roster, and you're not unseating any of the top four when they're all healthy.
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SAFETY (5)
- Tyrann Mathieu
- Johnathan Abram
- Jordan Howden
- J.T. Gray
- Will Harris
Cut: Ugo Amadi; Millard Bradford; Lawrence Johnson; Rod Teamer
Why: Normally I'd keep six safeties, but this is where keeping four running backs and a fullback starts to cost you. I think in this case the choice comes down to Harris vs Amadi and I just think Harris has a bit more versatility. Amadi does know the scheme, though, and this team has put him in for meaningful reps in the past. He could still win that spot, or maybe you carve out another roster spot at safety (But I've said that about three different positions already).
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SPECIALISTS (3)
- Blake Grupe
- Lou Hedley
- Zach Wood
Cut: Matthew Hayball
Why: What's my best chance for consistency at the specialist positions this season? OK, let's go with that. Note that only the punter is listed as a cut. Charlie Smyth is an international pathway player and I expect he'll stay in that slot all year. He won't be able to play unless he's elevated to the active roster, but it's essentially an extra practice squad space where he can sit and develop. The dude has a cannon leg. I watched him hit from 62 yards on Sunday with room to spare. The issue is that in the same practice he missed two PATs. I've said this a few times, but I think the real competition between Grupe and Smyth will happen next offseason.
International slot: Charlie Smyth
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Practice squad (16)
- WR Mason Tipton
- S Ugo Amadi
- S Millard Bradford
- LB Jaylan Ford
- LB Monty Rice
- DT Jack Heflin
- C/G Kyle Hergel
- OT Josiah Ezirim
- WR Bub Means
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown
- WR Samson Nacua
- RB Jacob Kibodi
- QB Nathan Peterman
- FB Zander Horvath
- TE Michael Jacobson
- DE Trajan Jeffcoat
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