The Las Vegas Raiders are still not done shuffling around their roster, for both the 53-man and the 16-man practice squad. They need to find the right group of players that fits how they want to play in 2024, and the initial 53-man roster was just not it.
And, that's how it goes most of the time, if not every time. Teams always make at least one move the next day or so after the initial 53-man is announced.
In this case, the Raiders' initial 53-man roster had a seventh-round pick, a 2024 rookie and cornerback from Pitt, M.J. Devonshire on it. Then, the next day, after the Raiders signed UDFA Thomas Harper from Notre Dame, the Raiders released Devonshire.
They didn't do it beforehand because he would have gotten claimed by another team off of the waiver wire, because he does have great potential. That's how crazy the roster cuts period can get. But, it's clear that he just is not where he needs to be yet, because the next move the Raiders made here on Thursday, was one that saw Devonshire hit the Raiders practice squad.
Devonshire made a few nice plays during the preseason, but some so many players played better than him. He also got beat on plays that he shouldn't have against players who are backups or third-stringers.
That's okay, though. Not every player is great right away, and the Raiders didn't think he would come in right away and be a star. But, it's clear that by them placing him on the practice squad, he just isn't ready yet.
