The NFL preseason has been strange. Regulars are playing less than ever, with most coaches choosing health over evaluation.

Jon Gruden has exercised this philosophy for a few reasons. The first is obvious. This Raiders roster is loaded with veterans who have a place on this team and don’t need to risk health for preseason reps. The second is about Gruden himself. The Raiders head coach has tricks stashed up his sleeve, and he doesn’t reveal them, or tape of his new players executing even the simplest parts of an evolved scheme.

That’s why snaps count don’t tell us much about who will make this roster. Some guys are being preserved. Others are fighting for their jobs, working, at times in vain, for an elusive roster spot.

We made a 53-man roster projection a week ago. The deck has shuffled a bit since then. A final preseason game won’t change much, so we can go ahead and make our final picks right … now.

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In: Derek Carr, (someone not on the roster)

Out: Connor Cook, EJ Manuel
 
Here’s the “hot take” portion of this roster projection. Not my style, I know. We’ll take option C, over Cook or Manuel. Those guys have worked in Gruden’s scheme for months, and it isn’t easy to learn. Having a No. 2 guy start from scratch this close to games that count is not ideal. But Cook has an accuracy problem, and maybe a confidence problem. Manuel has a cannon arm, and severe case of fumblitis. The backups have struggled mightily the past fortight, and Gruden will look elsewhere for Carr’s reserve. 

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In: Marshawn Lynch, Doug Martin, Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, Keith Smith

Out: DeAndre Washington, Ryan Yurachek, James Butler
 
This crew didn’t change from the last roster projection. Washington’s knee scope complicated things slightly, so he might get stashed on IR or traded with less value because he wasn’t able to put more good film on tape. He is an NFL running back, though. Washington will be productive for someone, but his skillset is not unique on this roster. That makes his expendable. And, a note on preseason darling Chris Warren: Everyone loves his running style, Gruden included. Sources say his pass protection needs serious work before becoming a trusted regular-season option. 

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In: Jordy Nelson, Amari Cooper, Martavis Bryant, Ryan Switzer, Johnny Holton, Dwayne Harris

Out: Seth Roberts, Griff Whalen, Keon Hatcher, Isaac Whitney, Saeed Blacknall, Marcell Ateman
 
Harris has barely played this preseason, rarely practicing with the top offense. It looks like Gruden didn’t need to give him reps. He should be the kickoff returner, as he was against Green Bay. He comes up at Ateman’s expense, though a practice squad spot seems in the cards. Roberts played a ton against Green Bay, maybe to make him a more tradable commodity. Switzer started hot and cooled off, but I’m not sure Whalen ever challenged his spot. A foot injury could make him an IR stash. The Raiders need gunners. Holton is a good one. That’s why the Raiders will keep six receivers over another lineman. 

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In: Jared Cook, Derek Carrier, Lee Smith

Out: Pharaoh Brown, Paul Butler, Marcus Baugh
 
The top three haven’t been challenged for one second this preseason. Butler has flashed, but has made some mistakes. Maybe the Raiders will have a practice squad spot for him or Brown? Maybe. 

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In: Donald Penn, Kolton Miller, Rodney Hudson, Kelechi Osemele, Gabe Jackson, David Sharpe, Brandon Parker, Jon Feliciano, Breno Giacomini
Out: Denver Kirkland, Oday Aboushi, James Stone, Cameron Hunt, Jylan Ware, Jordan Simmons, Ian Silberman
 
Giacomini hasn’t practiced much at all with a knee injury. He struggled in pass protection last year, but I now think he makes the initial squad as an emergency option at right tackle. The Penn position switch remains in its experimental phase, and Parker isn’t ready after missing key portions of training camp. Sharpe is intriguing, but has underwhelmed to a degree. Silberman shouldn’t leave the area, even if he gets cut. A versatile lineman like him might be a real option if Giacomini struggles. Feliciano has been the first backup at guard and center, but he has has a rough preseason. He needs to stay sharp. 

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In: Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin, Shilique Calhoun, Maurice Hurst, P.J. Hall, Justin Ellis, Tank Carradine, Mario Edwards Jr., Arden Key

Out: Shakir Soto, Treyvon Hester, Frostee Rucker, Fadol Brown
 
And we’ve reached the portion of this projection where y’all want my opinion on Mack. Some jumped all over last week’s prediction about Mack being part of the regular-season roster. That’s fine ... but my opinion hasn’t changed. Per my gut (not per sources), Mack may not be here on cut-down day, but I think he’s in Alameda before the first regular-season game. If that violates the spirit of this projection, so be it. Brown can be on there, and then become an extremely tough cut when Mack ultimately reports. 

Brown has earned a roster spot with his preseason play. He should be upset if he doesn’t make it, but I think Calhoun is my choice between those two. He has developed well in this scheme. He can blossom under coordinator Paul Guenther. 

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In: Nicholas Morrow, Emmanuel Lamur, Marquel Lee, Derrick Johnson, Kyle Wilber, Tahir Whitehead

Out: Jason Cabinda, James Cowser, Azeem Victor
 
This group seems settled. Wilber is a special-teams stalwart, and Morrow can back up most positions. The starters are locked. Johnson’s gonna play a lot. The coaches love Cowser’s attitude and work ethic. He has made strides this summer, while making a position switch. However, it remains to be seen whether that’s enough to earn a roster spot. Cabinda would be a good practice squad addition. He’s a solid NFL linebacker-in-waiting. 

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In: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Gareon Conley, Rashaan Melvin, Erik Harris, Reggie Nelson, Leon Hall, Marcus Gilchrist, Daryl Worley, Nick Nelson, Karl Joseph
Out: Dexter McDonald, Shalom Luani, Antonio Hamilton, Shareece Wright, Tevin Mitchel, Dallin Leavitt, Reysean Pringle, Qunicy Mauger
 
Rodgers-Cromartie is the new kid, but that doesn’t matter. He’s going to make it. He has a great track record and is, at bare minimum, an extra cornerback should Worley get suspended under the personal conduct policy – he pled guilty to DUI, illegal possession of a firearm and resisting arrest; the NFL frowns on that. Rodgers-Cromartie is likely more than just an extra body, and can be a significant contributor as the season wears on. 

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In: Eddy Pineiro, Andrew DePaola, Johnny Townsend

Out: Mike Nugent
 
Pineiro has been hurt for some time now, but I still believe he makes it back in time to start the season. Nugent seems like the option if Piñeiro isn’t ready for Week 1, though the veteran has lost lots of power in his leg. 

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