The Las Vegas Raiders continued this spring to shape their roster in their new regime’s image. There will be new starters on both sides of the ball, namely Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, Tyler Linderbaum at center and Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean at linebacker. Just 17 players remain from general manager John Spytek’s arrival in January 2025, marking about as much of a roster makeover a team can undergo in two offseasons.After observing all the new and returning players during the Raiders offseason program, it’s time to put together an early 53-man roster projection:Quarterback (3)In: Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’ConnellOut: Jacob ClarkO’Connell has made it known that he wants a fair chance to compete. The quarterback said during OTAs that his goal is to “find my way in the league and hopefully be a long-time starter.”“Who knows what will happen? Who knows where it’ll be, but that’s the goal,” O’Connell said.It won’t happen in Las Vegas with Cousins and Mendoza around and healthy. Cousins, the 14-year veteran who delivered Pro Bowl seasons in Minnesota when he was with new Vegas coach Klint Kubiak, appears to be the frontrunner to start. Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft, will eventually supplant him, leaving no immediate or long-term chances for O’Connell to be the guy.The door is open for the Raiders to move O’Connell, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the timing makes sense if they can secure assets for him before cutdown day. However, the Raiders are adamant about moving slowly with Mendoza, and if Cousins were to play poorly or get injured, O’Connell could provide a safety net that would keep Las Vegas from forcing the prized rookie into action before he’s ready.While keen on competing, Las Vegas’ main goal this year is to develop its future franchise quarterback. Retaining O’Connell ensures the process won’t be disrupted, even if it’s not in line with his goals.Running Back/Fullback (4)In: Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube, Connor HeywardOut: Chris Collier, Roman HembyI don’t envision much drama in the backfield come cutdown day. Jeanty is the clear starter and slated for an even more elevated role in Year 2. His backups from last year, Raheem Mostert and Zamir White, are gone, but Laube and Washington were the evident options to spell him during offseason practices. Hemby, an undrafted rookie, showed promise as Mendoza’s teammate at Indiana, but he has yet to challenge either running back as a Raider.Kubiak has also signaled that Heyward will be an important addition. Fullback is crucial enough to his scheme that the Seahawks carried two on their initial roster last year.Wide Receiver (6)In: Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, Donte Thornton Jr., Dareke Young, Malik BensonOut: Shedrick Jackson, Phillip Dorsett II, Brandon Johnson, Jonathan Brady, Chase Roberts, E.J. Williams Jr.The Raiders didn’t make any significant additions at receiver beyond Nailor; they want to see what this group can do with more opportunities. With no proven WR1, Tucker, Nailor, Bech and Thornton will have ample chances.Young was a core special teamer in Seattle who followed Kubiak to Las Vegas this offseason and should continue to provide that kind of value to the Raiders. Benson, a sixth-round rookie, impressed on offense during offseason practices and got reps as a returner, which should allow him to beat out veterans such as Jackson and Dorsett for one of the final spots.Takeaways from Raiders mandatory minicampSam WarrenTight End (3)In: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian ThomasOut: Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., Patrick GurdBowers should be the focal point of the offense, and Kubiak’s deployment of two tight ends could help Mayer’s production as Bowers’ top backup.A battle between Thomas and Runyon could break out in training camp behind that duo. While there’s a chance the team keeps both, Heyward’s positional versatility allows them to stay slim at the position. Thomas is among the most tenured vets on the roster and a solid blocker. However, the Raiders brass likes the potential of Runyon, who also provides more special teams value. I’ll give the edge to Thomas for now; it’s possible Runyon lands on the practice squad.Offensive Line (9)In: Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Spencer Burford, Caleb Rogers, Charles Grant, Trey Zuhn III, Jordan MeredithOut: Will Putnam, Dalton Wagner, Atonio Mafi, Isaiah Jatta, Kamar Missouri, Justin Pickett, Niklas HenningLas Vegas’ porous offensive front was a major reason it posted the league’s worst record a season ago. But a few players have spots locked up despite the struggles. Miller and Linderbaum will be the team’s left tackle and center, and the youth of Glaze, Powers-Johnson, Rogers, Grant and Zuhn make them good bets to vie for the other starting roles.Burford, an ex-49er, is the leader to start at left guard because of his starting experience in a Kubiak-like scheme. While he could lose his spot to one of the above, the $2.75 million guaranteed on his one-year deal likely keeps him on the 53. Meanwhile, Meredith, who’s been the starting center most of the past two seasons, will compete with Putnam for the backup job in camp. The restricted free agent tender he signed in April makes him easier to move if the team chooses.Defensive Tackle (6)In: Adam Butler, Thomas Booker IV, Jonah Laulu, Benito Jones, Tonka Hemingway, JJ PeguesOut: Brandon Cleveland, Laki Tasi, Treven Ma’ae, Gary Smith IIIThe Raiders kept six defensive tackles in Rob Leonard’s position room initially in 2025. As the former defensive line coach moves to defensive coordinator, they’ll keep mostly the same group, with Jones replacing Leki Fotu.Cleveland is highly regarded despite being a seventh-round pick. Still, he’ll have a tough time beating out any of the veterans or Hemingway and Pegues in their second seasons, leaving him as a likely practice squad stash. Tasi, who moved back to defensive line after a switch to offense in his first year, looks set to be the team’s International Pathway Program player on the practice squad for a second season.Edge Rusher (5)In: Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye, Malcolm Koonce, Keyron Crawford, Cian SloneOut: Brennan Jackson, Jahfari HarveyCrosby will lead this group in his eighth season, as long as he remains a Raider. Paye and Koonce will man the opposite side, while Crawford, a third-round pick, will spell each of them in a backup role.The trade of Tyree Wilson and the release of Charles Snowden this offseason could provide an opportunity for another pass rusher to latch on. If one does, Slone seems a likely candidate. The undrafted rookie impressed in offseason practices and received opportunities to work with veteran groups in team periods, which none of his other peers did. Whether he can provide special teams value will be the true measure of if he can stick, but he might be the likeliest UDFA to make the roster.Linebacker (4)In: Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Cody Lindenberg, Tommy EichenbergOut: Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Xavian Sorey Jr., Chris ThomasThe Raiders signed Walker and Dean to lucrative free-agent contracts to man the middle of Leonard’s attacking 3-4 scheme. But questions remain about the position’s depth after not adding much else.With Dean absent from offseason practices, Lindenberg stepped in beside Walker, showing he’s the next man up in the event of an injury. Eichenberg followed when healthy, and the two seem set on being the team’s primary backups.Olubi figures to be one of the last players on or off the 53 come late August. The Raiders signed him to be a key special teamer, but he provides little defensive value and has no guaranteed money on his contract. If Las Vegas feels it can replace his special teams roles with others, he might not make the final cut.Cornerback (5)In: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses, Decamerion RichardsonOut: Greedy Vance, Chigozie Anusiem, Caleb OffordThe Raiders made sure to add competition at corner this offseason, spending draft picks on McCoy and Masses. The battle was already occurring upon their arrival, as McCoy looked as advertised when on the field, and Masses pushed Porter for the starting reps opposite Stokes in mandatory minicamp.Las Vegas will likely keep at least five corners because of McCoy’s health concerns. Richardson seems the most apt to be the fifth, as he has the most experience playing outside. Vance saw playing time to end his rookie season at nickel, but the number of options at that position could have him on the outside looking in.Safety/Nickel (5)In: Jeremy Chinn, Taron Johnson, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Treydan Stukes, Dalton JohnsonOut: Tristin McCollum, Tanner Wall, Devin Lafayette, Devyn PerkinsThe coaching staff has said they’ll be switching up their secondary looks often, and they showed that during offseason practices. The multiplicity makes this group as malleable as any on the roster. But while often aligned differently, Chinn, Johnson, Pola-Mao and Stukes were mainstays and will get the lion’s share of snaps during the season.Johnson has yet to break into that quartet, but he has already displayed the versatility the staff covets. It will be hard for him to build out a role on defense as a rookie with those four ahead of him, but his special teams skills and chemistry with Stukes from their college days should let him beat out McCollum for a roster spot.Special Teams (3)In: P AJ Cole, K Matt Gay, LS Tyler DuzanskyOut: K Kansei Matsuzawa, LS Alex WardThere wasn’t much to discern about the Raiders’ kicking competition from the offseason program. Gay and Matsuzawa’s field goal attempts weren’t visible until minicamp, and neither stood out from the other when observed.Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis said, “It should be a hell of a competition” in training camp. However, Gay is a veteran who enjoyed his best seasons with DeCamillis on the Rams, and that gives him the leg up right now. Duzansky, regarded as a top long snapper in this year’s draft class, has a good shot at supplanting Ward.