UFAs Jalen Richard, Darius Latham among those to make Raiders 53-man roster

ALAMEDA - The Oakland Raiders kept four undrafted free agents on their 53-man roster, with running back Jalen Richard, defensive lineman Darius Latham, receiver Johnny Holton and cornerback Antonio Hamilton all surviving cuts at the roster deadline.

The Raiders traded safety Dewey McDonald to Seattle for a conditional draft pick, moved fullback Marcel Reece to the suspended list for the first three games and cut 20 other players Saturday.

The most noteworthy players to get cut were cornerback Neiko Thorpe, who had been given a second-round restricted free agent tender in the spring, and linebacker Neiron Ball, a fifth-round pick last year who was cut with an injured designation. Linebacker James Cowser was also waived/injured.

Richard, who played college ball at Southern Mississippi, impressed coaches almost immediately and joined rookie DeAndre Washington as the primary backups to Latavius Murray. Richard missed the first two exhibition games with an injury but showed some burst in the final two games as a runner, receiver and returner.

Latham, out of Indiana, was one of Oakland’s most consistent defensive players in the preseason and provides depth on the line with starter Mario Edwards Jr. out with an injury. Edwards is expected to miss several more weeks and could be placed on injured reserve to start the season.

Holton, out of Cincinnati, was competing with K.J. Brent for the fifth wide receiver spot on the roster. Both players had good moments in the exhibition season, but Holton ended up winning out that race.

Hamilton, out of South Carolina State, was a bit of a surprise to make the team as one of six cornerbacks on the roster.

The other players released by Oakland were running back George Atkinson III; offensive linemen Mitch Bell, Denver Kirkland, Oni Omoile; defensive linemen Drew Iddings, Branden Jackson, Derrick Lott and Greg Townsend Jr.; linebackers John Lotulelei, Korey Toomer and Kyrie Wilson; receivers Marvin Hall and Jaydon Mickens; tight ends Jake McGee and Ryan O’Malley; and cornerback Kenneth Durden.

ALAMEDA - The Oakland Raiders kept four undrafted free agents on their 53-man roster, with running back Jalen Richard, defensive lineman Darius Latham, receiver Johnny Holton and cornerback Antonio Hamilton all surviving cuts at the roster deadline.

The Raiders traded safety Dewey McDonald to Seattle for a conditional draft pick, moved fullback Marcel Reece to the suspended list for the first three games and cut 20 other players Saturday.

The most noteworthy players to get cut were cornerback Neiko Thorpe, who had been given a second-round restricted free agent tender in the spring, and linebacker Neiron Ball, a fifth-round pick last year who was cut with an injured designation. Linebacker James Cowser was also waived/injured.

Richard, who played college ball at Southern Mississippi, impressed coaches almost immediately and joined rookie DeAndre Washington as the primary backups to halfback Latavius Murray. Richard missed the first two exhibition games with an injury but showed some burst in the final two games as a runner, receiver and returner.

Latham, out of Indiana, was one of Oakland’s most consistent defensive players in the preseason and provides depth on the line with starter Mario Edwards Jr. out with an injury. Edwards is expected to miss several more weeks and could be placed on injured reserve to start the season.

Holton, out of Cincinnati, was competing with K.J. Brent for the fifth wide receiver spot on the roster. Both players had good moments in the exhibition season, but Holton ended up winning that race.

Hamilton, out of South Carolina State, was a bit of a surprise to make the team as one of six cornerbacks on the roster.

The other players released by Oakland were running back George Atkinson III; offensive linemen Mitch Bell, Denver Kirkland, Oni Omoile; defensive linemen Drew Iddings, Branden Jackson, Derrick Lott and Greg Townsend Jr.; linebackers John Lotulelei, Korey Toomer and Kyrie Wilson; receivers Marvin Hall and Jaydon Mickens; tight ends Jake McGee and Ryan O’Malley; and cornerback Kenneth Durden.