The Las Vegas Raiders have undergone a ton of changes this offseason, both on the roster and within the coaching staff.
Super Bowl-winning Pete Carroll was brought in to be the head coach, and Carrol should immediately raise this team's floor. Carroll was able to pull off a trade to get his former quarterback Geno Smith in town, potentially solving the team's issues at the game's most important position.
The Raiders were also able to add one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft in Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty, along with Smith, should be able to transform the Raider offense in 2025.
With a ton of new faces on the roster, naturally, some familiar names will be cut before the regular season begins. Included in those cuts could be a player who started plenty of games for the Raiders over the past couple seasons.
Today, let's identify three possible surprising veteran cuts this summer.
RB Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert was just brought in this offseason on a one-year, $1.6 million deal. The veteran has long been a productive change-of-pace back in the league, and the Raiders are surely hoping the veteran can stabilize a weak unit.
However, the team added Ashton Jeanty in the first round, and the top pick will obviously get the bulk of the carries. Sincere McCormick and Dylan Laube have both impressed at points, and Zamir White is still around waiting to prove himself.
What if Mostert gets overshadowed by his younger running mates? The team could save over $1 million by cutting Mostert and rolling with the younger backups.
CB Darnay Holmes
Darnay Holmes would be a surprising cut because he's currently penciled in as the starting nickel corner, and the Raiders aren't exactly deep in the secondary.
However, Holmes has been in the league for five seasons and has just 12 starts under his belt. In 2024, the corner struggled to a 54.1 Pro Football Focus grade which ranked 165th out of 222 qualified corners.
It's possible Holmes could begin the season as a starter, and it's also possible he could begin the season on another team. If the Raiders add a veteran nickel corner like Mike Hilton, who's still unsigned, Holmes' days could be numbered.
QB Aidan O'Connell
Aidan O'Connell was once looked at as the potential franchise quarterback in Vegas. Unfortunately, after 17 starts, it's clear that O'Connell does not have a future in Vegas.
Last season, O'Connell started in seven games and threw for 1,612 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. The quarterback didn't have much to work with, but the team thought it necessary to trade for Geno Smith this offseason.
Smith is unquestionably the starter in 2025, and the team also drafted Cam Miller, who could earn the backup job with a solid summer showing. Smith has stayed healthy for the most part, so the team may decide to stick with just two passers.
