The Las Vegas Raiders are squaring off against the San Francisco 49ers this Thursday night in their final preseason game, and for a handful of rookies, it’s literally everything. This game marks the end of training camp, with the NFL’s cutdown day looming on Sunday. That means every single player on the bubble has one last shot to prove they belong on that 53-man roster, and for many, that pressure cooker moment is now.
Keyron Crawford: Not in Danger, But Buried Deep?
Third-round pick Keyron Crawford, the 67th selection overall, probably doesn’t need to sweat making the roster. Honestly, that’s not his battle. The Auburn product was always seen as a project coming out of college, and with guys like Kwity Paye signed, Malcolm re-signed, and the Maxx Crosby trade fizzling, he wasn’t exactly penciled in for a huge role anyway. But here’s the rub: he has generated just one pressure in two preseason games, per Pro Football Focus. Seriously, *one* pressure. He hasn’t even been a factor against the run! S&BP’s Bill Williamson just called out three *other* edge rushers , undrafted free agent Cian Slone and veterans Patrick Johnson and Jahfari Harvey , as players to watch against the 49ers, and get this: all three have flat-out outperformed Crawford this month. His spot might be safe, sure, but if he doesn’t step up on Thursday, he’s looking at getting buried so deep on that depth chart he’ll need a flashlight.
E.J. Williams Gets a Direct Shot From the OC
If you want to know what the coaching staff is thinking, just listen to Klint Kubiak. The offensive coordinator didn’t hold back after last week’s game, saying the wide receivers “gotta get a lot better and fast.” Yikes. That’s a direct challenge, and it screams opportunity for someone like E.J. Williams to earn a roster spot. He flashed with a 41-yard catch a couple weeks back, but then only hauled in one grab for six yards in Houston. Look, the Indiana product hasn’t had many chances, with just 13 offensive snaps combined in both games, according to PFF. But the final preseason game is usually where bubble guys get the most action. Williams should get plenty of snaps to prove himself. Plus, Kubiak did give him and fellow undrafted free agent receiver Chase Roberts a shoutout after the Cardinals game, which definitely can’t hurt their chances.
Roman Hemby’s Uphill Battle for a Running Back Spot
The running back room is a bit murky, with some uncertainty surrounding Ashton Jeanty’s injury and whether he’ll be ready for the regular season. That *could* open an extra spot, and that’s where Roman Hemby comes in. He’s got a seriously uphill battle, though. Dylan Laube and Dare Ogunbowale have simply outproduced him so far in the preseason. It’s tough, but the former Hoosier still has a fighter’s chance with a monster performance on Thursday night. This is it for these guys. Every snap counts.
The Raiders face off against the 49ers on Thursday night at 5 p.m. PT. For some of these rookies, their NFL dream for 2026 hangs in the balance, making this preseason finale an absolute must-watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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