With The First Pick
Fansided

4 Raiders veterans on the roster bubble after 2020 NFL Draft

By Timothy Rodriguez

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders discusses a penalty with a referee during a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders discusses a penalty with a referee during a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Erik Harris #25 of the Oakland Raiders looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Erik Harris #25 of the Oakland Raiders looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

S Erik Harris

Safety Erik Harris had a career year in 2019. After getting increased playing time in 2020 due to an injury to 2019 first round pick Johnathan Abram, Harris posted very solid numbers. Harris finished the season with 74 total tackles with three interceptions. Two of those interceptions went back for touchdowns, making him one of the few defensive players with multiple touchdowns.

Unfortunately for Harris, the Raiders have added even more talent to the safety room and are getting Abram back. Las Vegas is returning Lamarcus Joyner and Abram from 2019 and have made even more acquisitions. The Raiders signed Damarious Randall, a player who had a career resurgence in Cleveland, in 2020. They also added Cowboys’ thumper Jeff Heath who has a lot of experience with the coaching staff. The Las Vegas Raiders also drafted Clemson safety Tanner Muse. While he is listed as a linebacker on the roster, there are certainly packages where he would be lined up at safety.

With Randall and Heath being new additions, there is little to no chance of them not being on the roster after preseason. There are parts of the Raiders roster that will have to suffer if they intend to carry all the receivers they added this spring as well as three quarterbacks. With all the depth at safety, Harris may be a sacrificial lamb.

There is always the possibility that Harris forced Gruden’s hand by playing outstanding in training camp and the preseason. A good performance in July and August could either land Harris on the roster or traded. While he is on the roster bubble, he will certainly be on a roster in 2020.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders