The Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of OTA’s and currently the front office and coaching staff are evaluating the current roster to determine what areas could be improved headed into the season and training camp. Last year coming out of training camp, the Raiders carried some surprising additions including tight end Jesper Horsted, wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson, offensive lineman Jordan Meredith, and linebacker Curtis Bolton. While some players that seemed to be “locks” to make the roster, didn’t make the team, others that no one considered often surprise and find their way onto the roster. The current Raiders roster has a few players who could surprise and be those exact players this season, but who exactly are they?
T Dalton Wagner
The Raiders highest paid 2023 UDFA signing at over 250,000 in guaranteed money, Wagner landed on season ending IR following training camp last season. At 6’8, 320 Wagner without a doubt has the size to play tackle in the NFL. Wagner allowed just two sacks and 18 pressures in his senior season at Arkansas in 2022 after allowing one sack and 10 pressures the year before. A career right tackle, having taken 2592 snaps at the position in his career. He’s a strong run blocker and projects best as a swing tackle in the NFL or a prototypical “6th” lineman for run-downs. Wagner played 100 snaps for the Raiders in pre-season allowing four pressures in 57 attempts with 5.7 ypc in his limited 42 run blocking snaps. Wagner will turn 26 in October, but the Raiders lack true offensive tackle depth. Rookie DJ Glaze can play both left tackle and right tackle but also works in at guard, though he’ll likely be the Raiders true swing tackle. Free agent signing Andrus Peat will work at guard and left tackle leaving a window for Wagner to compete for a position at right tackle depth. If the Raiders carry a fourth tackle it’ll likely come down to Wagner and 2024 undrafted free agent Andrew Coker (who’s also a massive human being).
WR Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin
The Raiders held Griffin for a top 30 visit during the pre-draft process and subsequently were able to land the 5’10, 180 pound receiver as an undrafted free agent. He’s a solid athlete with a 35.5 vert, 10-4 vert, but notably is best with his pure speed, posting a 4.41 40 yard dash. Griffin hauled in 126 receptions, 1490 yards, and nine touchdowns in college while also adding 75 rushing yards and a touchdown. In a receiver aspect, he’s not the best prospect, and he’ll likely have to find his role on special teams to make the roster. Griffin is an average route runner, has solid hands, but he’s best with YAC situations all things considered. As a returner, Griffin led the NCAA in average during his 2022 season while also leading the SEC in 2021, 2023, and 2022. The 30.4 yard average is fourth best in NFL history. He’s an explosive quick twitch athlete, who has the ability to explode into full speed immediately between cuts. He posted a career 1640 yards and two touchdowns on just 54 attempts. Griffin is a special teams standout and with the new kickoff rules it’s clear the Raiders are looking for a way to find someone that can contribute in that position immediately.
TE Cole Fotheringham
Fotheringham signed with the Raiders out of Utah following the 2022 draft. The 6’4, 250 tight end was notably a blocker in Utah’s wishbone tight end offense as he posted just 52 receptions, 526 yards, and three touchdowns. As a blocker, he posted a career 72.9 RBLK grade and a 74.9 PBLK grade. He averaged 5.1 ypc lead blocking on the EDGE which was the highest among a tight end group that included Dalton Kincaid and Brant Kuithe. Fotheringham has spent the last two seasons on the Raiders practice squad and in preseason he’s made notable plays hauling in six receptions for 101 yards. As a blocker, he’s struggled to catch on but after adding an additional 10 pounds this off-season it’s possible he’s built out a larger frame to adjust to the NFL level. The Raiders will carry three tight ends with Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, and first rounder Brock Bowers likely guaranteed roster spots as it is. In two years with the Bears, Getsy carried four and three tight ends in separate years so if he transitions back to four the battle will be between Fotheringham and veteran Zach Gentry for the traditional 4th TE/FB option.
CB Ja’Quan Sheppard
The Raiders gave Sheppard 240,000 guaranteed to sign following the 2024 draft, which was the most among all of their undrafted free agent signings. If the Raiders add a veteran cornerback, which I’d expect them to, the odds of Sheppard making the roster fall significantly but not completely. Currently, Las Vegas has Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs, Jakroian Bennett, and DeCamerion Richardson slotted to make the roster at the position leaving a battle for the final one to two spots between a potential free agent signing, Sheppard, veteran Brandon Facyson, and fellow rookies MJ Devonshire, Rayshad Williams, and Woo Governor. Sheppard allowed just 60 receptions for 877 yards, and four touchdowns in his collegiate career off 127 targets along with a 83.3 QBR. He posted 96 tackles, 8.5 for loss, two sacks, and 18 breakups in just 25 games starting. He’s a fluid athlete despite his 4.49 40 time states, with a traditional CB frame at 6’2, 205 Sheppard is very similar to teammate Brandon Facyson. Best in zone coverage, and a strong run defender, Sheppard will need the roster to fall in his favor and show out on special teams, but the opening is there for him to land the sixth cornerback position.
RB/WR Tyreik McAllister
Some of you are probably wondering “who?” right now and that’s the exact reason for this article. The University of Charleston standout entered college as a running back where he posted 355 attempts for 2561 yards, and 26 touchdowns. He added an additional 113 receptions, 1047 yards, and 15 touchdowns. McAllister (5’11, 185) then signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent before going to the CFL where he moved to receiver and hauled in 32 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns. Where McAllister thrives is on his special teams play posting 41 kick returns for 1037 yards, and a touchdown with a long of 71 yards. McAllister also returned a 44 yard missed field goal for a 104 yard touchdown. He is shifty, quick, and has elite lower body athleticism. Pairing the athleticism, oh and a 4.29 40-yard dash, with the elite return vision, McAllister has the ability to really make an impact with the NFL’s new kick-off rules. As mentioned with Griffin the Raiders are likely to have a strong competition for returners, and could carry one specific player for that role only.
EDGE David Ebuka Agoha
The Raiders IPP player from 2023, Agoha has bulked up and trained with Maxx Crosby this off-season. An absurd athlete at 6’4, 264 Agoha has played for Nigeria’s national basketball team, played soccer for one of the top Nigerian-based clubs, and had MLB looks for his baseball skills. Prior to COVID, Agoha was slated to also make a UFC debut. Athletically, he’s elite with phenomenal lower body skills, good twitch, and some noticeable bend off his twitter training clips. The athleticism only matters so much, and in his first year ever playing organized football Agoha played in 33 snaps for the Raiders during preseason posting two pressures, a sack, and a 14.9% win rate, all marks that are intriguing. After training with Crosby, it’ll remain to be seen how well his technique has improved. Unless Agoha comes out of training camp and preseason with phenomenal technique, the Raiders likely put him on the practice squad again with his roster exemption and let the 23-year-old make his NFL debut in 2025.
