HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders open the 2022 NFL regular season at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 11 at SoFi Stadium.
Big names dot the Raiders' roster at the offensive skill positions -- quarterback Derek Carr, wide receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, tight end Darren Waller, running back Josh Jacobs -- as well as on defense, with Pro Bowl edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones along with Pro Bowl linebacker Denzel Perryman.
But the key to the whole thing may very well rest with the grunts. Because while highlight reels feature the aforementioned players, games are won and lost on the line. And if the Raiders' offensive line can't give Carr time to find his pass-catchers downfield, none of it will matter. Jobs were won and lost on the lines in camp, with right tackle Alex Leatherwood, last year's first-round pick, the most intriguing storyline in the trenches.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection.
QUARTERBACK (2): Derek Carr, Jarrett Stidham
Stidham's preseason play and the trade of Nick Mullens makes carrying only two QBs on the initial 53-man roster more palatable. Especially if Chase Garbers can be stashed on the practice squad. Plus, it gives the Raiders more flexibility to find another roster spot somewhere else.