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Oakland Raiders: Three players on the roster bubble

By Sayre Bedinger

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 18: EJ Manuel #3 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass as Brian Womac #62 of the Los Angeles Rams defends during the second half of a preseason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 18: EJ Manuel #3 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass as Brian Womac #62 of the Los Angeles Rams defends during the second half of a preseason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 18: Connor Cook #18 of the Oakland Raiders chases a loose ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 18: Connor Cook #18 of the Oakland Raiders chases a loose ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The Oakland Raiders made a ton of changes to their roster in 2018 with Jon Gruden on board as the head coach. Which players are now on the bubble?

The Oakland Raiders have made many changes to their roster in 2018 since Jon Gruden came aboard.

That’s not uncommon at all for a team with a new head coach, but with so many additions to the roster, there are bound to be casualties.

Which players might be on the roster bubble for the Raiders heading into the team’s final pair of preseason games?

Let’s take a look at a few.

Connor Cook or E.J. Manuel

The Raiders’ backup quarterback race has provided anything but clarity to this point. Practice reports have indicated up-and-down performances from both Connor Cook and E.J. Manuel and the preseason games have provided no clear answer here.

Each player struggled a bit against the Los Angeles Rams’ backups on defense, but Manuel has fumbled in each of the Raiders’ first two preseason games and took three sacks against the Rams compared to just one sack and one fumble by Cook through two preseason games.

Cook also looked pretty good against the Lions in the Raiders’ first preseason game.

Of these two, it would seem more likely that Cook stays around since he’s younger and Manuel hasn’t done much to separate himself.

The Raiders are not necessarily required to cut one of these two quarterbacks, but they may want to find someone a roster spot elsewhere and if someone like Manuel is not making himself an asset, he isn’t likely to make the final 53-man roster.

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