1 Raiders undrafted free agent who will make 2026 roster

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1 Raiders undrafted free agent who will make 2026 roster

Yago Antunes, ClutchPoints

Tue, Apr 28, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Las Vegas made the expected choice with the first overall pick, selecting Fernando Mendoza and giving him the No. 15 jersey, a symbolic link between the franchise’s future and its past.

While this part of the offseason was predictable, what follows the draft is often more complicated.

For the Raiders, that means evaluating a large undrafted free agent class, which has the potential to yield a solid roster candidate if one of the signings fits well.

Although Mendoza’s arrival will dominate the headlines, especially after entering the NFL history , the team still needs to build out the back end of the roster.

Among the undrafted players the Raiders signed post-draft, Indiana running back Roman Hemby stands out as the most promising candidate to make the final 53-man roster.

The Raiders’ undrafted class also includes quarterbacks, receivers, linemen, a defensive tackle, a linebacker, a safety, a kicker, and a long snapper.

Still, Hemby possesses the best combination of talent, roster need, and viable short-term opportunity.

NFL.com’s undrafted tracker lists him in this class , and local Raiders coverage quickly identified him as one of the team’s most intriguing post-draft additions.

Why Roman Hemby has the clearest path

Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Running back offers the best opportunity for an undrafted player on this roster.

However, this does not mean Hemby will step directly into a starting role, as it simply indicates that the competition ahead of him is more manageable than what most undrafted players face at other positions.

Las Vegas invested in Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. in the fourth round, showing that the team recognized the need for another young option in the backfield.

The same local coverage that highlighted Hemby noted that he was the only running back the organization pursued among the undrafted pool, which is significant.

Teams typically do not treat post-draft signings equally because some players are simply camp bodies, while others fill specific depth needs.

Hemby appears to fall into the latter category.

The connection to Mendoza is beneficial, but it should not be overemphasized.

Reuniting a rookie quarterback with his college teammate can facilitate a smoother offseason, especially for a running back who may spend spring practices working with the same quarterback group while trying to secure his spot in a new offense.

That familiarity is advantageous, but Hemby’s appeal is primarily based on his football skills.

According to a report from Jeremy Fowler following the draft, Hemby rushed for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns at Indiana in 2025, contributing additionally with 17 receptions and an average of 22.6 yards per kickoff return.

This diverse skill set is valuable for a backup seeking a spot on the roster, suggesting multiple avenues to contribute.

Versatility is crucial because backup running backs rarely make the team solely based on their rushing ability.

Coaches prefer players who can handle special teams duties, take on occasional pass-game responsibilities, and perform in a rotational role without requiring the offense to adjust significantly.

Hemby’s skill set meets enough of these criteria to warrant a practical evaluation rather than a hopeful one.

He is not simply a third-down specialist or a straight-line runner lacking versatility, and his production across various phases provides the coaching staff with options.

Additionally, Las Vegas has good reasons to maintain a deeper running back room while Mendoza acclimates to the NFL.

A rookie quarterback benefits from as much support as possible, and fostering a strong run game creates that support.

Typically, a team in this situation prefers to have more than one reliable reserve who can step in if the rookie runner is not ready for a full workload or if injuries occur during training camp.

Hemby enters at a time when the offensive context plays to his advantage.

Another reason he is a more viable candidate than the average undrafted running back is that the Raiders actively targeted him, rather than merely signing him after a quiet market.

While this doesn’t guarantee success, it often influences how many opportunities a player receives in the following months.

Repetitions and preseason chances are crucial, and a player that the coaching staff already liked enough to pursue as their sole undrafted running back is likely to get more opportunities to prove himself than a player brought on simply to fill out practice numbers.

Why does the rest of the class face longer odds

The other players in this group have talent, but the path to the roster becomes much narrower when considering their respective positions.

Quarterback is a prime example. Jacob Clark and Sawyer Robertson enter a situation where the team has already selected Mendoza as the No. 1 pick and has veteran players surrounding him.

Even if one of the undrafted quarterbacks performs well, the likelihood of securing a 53-man roster spot is slim, and practice-squad opportunities are much more probable.

The same challenges apply to the wide receiver.

Chase Roberts and E.J. Williams Jr. show promise, but receiver rooms are typically crowded with young draft picks, veterans, and options for return game duties before the undrafted talent even gets a chance to compete.

Roberts has received praise in local media for his short-area skills and experience, but it still seems more fitting for a practice-squad resume than for a spot on the active roster.

The situation isn’t much better in the trenches, as Gary Smith III has been identified locally as an intriguing candidate due to his low center of gravity and potential in run defense.

However, undrafted defensive tackles usually require more time to develop, particularly on teams that already have experienced players in front of them.

Opportunities on the offensive line can occasionally surprise, but those players typically need substantial guaranteed money or a significantly thin depth chart ahead of them.

In contrast, Hemby’s situation is simpler, as his role does not require as lengthy a developmental process.

Special teams also bring some uncertainty, making Kansei Matsuzawa worth mentioning.

Kickers can quickly earn jobs if there is instability in the position ahead of them, but it is difficult to project outcomes this early, as evidence remains scarce.

Running back presents a clearer path to making the roster.

Injuries during camp, a strong preseason, contributions on kick returns, and reliable ball security can propel a running back onto the final 53-man roster more swiftly than most undrafted positions.

That is why Hemby currently stands out among this class.

His signing makes sense given his talent, the backfield has space for another young player, and his profile offers the coaching staff multiple reasons to keep him.

Most undrafted players require several fortunate breaks, but Hemby needs fewer than most, which is often the clearest indication that a long shot may not be such a long shot after all.

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