Most significant moves: Safety Brandian Ross was a surprise cut. He started 13 games the past season, and he had 75 tackles. The Oakland Raiders re-signed him in May. He was expected to be a key backup this year. The Ross cut meant seventh-round pick Jonathan Dowling (acquired with the pick acquired in the Terrelle Pryor trade) made the 53-man roster. Greg Little, claimed off waivers from Cleveland in the spring, looked like he’d be a contributor early in camp, but his play tailed off, and he was cut. Expect Denarius Moore and Brice Butler to be in the rotation. The Raiders liked running back/special teamer Jeremy Stewart, but he was caught in a number’s game. They kept Jamize Olawale over Stewart. One of the best stories to make the team is cornerback Neiko Thorpe. Coaches have raved about him. He was a future signing in January after he played in the CFL this past year.
Draft class is intact: The Raiders kept all eight of their draft picks, including three seventh-rounders: Dowling, TJ Carrie and Shelby Harris. This is how the Raiders are going to build their roster. The draft picks have to hit. On the flip side, defensive end Jack Crawford was cut. He was a fifth-rounder in 2012. Just two members of that six-player class remain on the roster. It was the first draft class of the Reggie McKenzie-Dennis Allen era. If this draft class can contribute, it could help define the tenure of these two men.
What’s next: The Raiders will scan the waiver wire. They have the fifth-highest claiming priority. Expect Oakland to consider adding tight ends, offensive linemen, linebackers or cornerbacks. They can start claiming players Sunday. Oakland can compile its 10-player practice squad Sunday as well. It will likely be filled mostly by the 11 undrafted free agents the Raiders signed and then cut this summer.
Raiders moves: Released DT Ricky Lumpkin, FB Karl Williams, WR Greg Little, WR Brandian Ross, DE Jack Crawford, TE Jake Murphy, RB George Atkinson III, DE Denico Autry, CB Chance Casey, T Jack Cornell, LB Carlos Fields, Bojay Filimoeatu, LB Spencer Hadley, OT Dan Kistler, T Erle Ladson, G Lamar Mady, WR Seth Roberts, DE Ryan Robinson, OL Jarrod Shaw, TE Scott Simonson, RB Jeremy Stewart, K Giorgio Tavecchio, FB Karl Williams.