ALAMEDA — With the Raiders halfway through the preseason and 21 days until the regular-season opener, a projection of how the roster might look on Sept. 2 with the final cutdown to 53 players:

QUARTERBACKS (3)

Starter–Derek Carr. Backups–EJ Manuel, Connor Cook.

Only the No. 2 spot is in question. Chances are the Raiders keep three quarterbacks.

RUNNING BACKS (4)

Starters–RB Marshawn Lynch, FB Jamize Olawale. Backups–DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard.

Cut–Elijah Hood, John Crockett, George Atkinson III. For complete Oakland Raiders coverage follow us on Flipboard.

Both Hood, a seventh-round draft pick, and Crockett, a free agent, have done enough to merit practice squad consideration. Atkinson keeps flashing in the preseason but it’s a tough unit to crack.

TIGHT ENDS (4)

Starter–Lee Smith. Backups–Jared Cook, Clive Walford, Gabe Holmes

Cut–Pharaoh Brown, Ryan O’Malley, Cooper Helfet.

Smith listed as starter only because that’s how the Raiders do it. Cook’s role cannot be minimized and Walford looks much improved. Holmes is highly regarded by the personnel department. Walford could bring a mid- to late-round draft pick if he finishes strong.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)

Starters–Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree. Backups–Seth Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson, Johnny Holton.

Cut--K.J. Brent, Jaydon Mickens, Keon Hatcher, Isaac Whitney, Ishmael Zamora.

Patterson will return kickoffs and be available for offensive gadget plays. Holton gets the nod for his role on special teams. Brent, a polished receiver, is worthy of an NFL job somewhere. Mickens nosed out because Richard and Patterson are entrenched in return game.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

Starters–LT Donald Penn, LG Kelechi Osemele, C Rodney Hudson, RG Gabe Jackson, RT Marshall Newhouse. Backups–G-C Jon Feliciano, T Vadal Alexander, T David Sharpe, C-G Ian Silberman.

Cut–T Jylan Ware, OL Kareem Are, T Chauncey Briggs, G Jordan Simmons, G Oni Omoile, G Denver Kirkland (injured reserve). Like our Oakland Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation.

Common sense suggests Penn arrives at least a week before the opener in Nashville. Silberman’s versatility gives him an edge on Ware, who is a developmental choice for the practice squad and running behind Sharpe at tackle. Kirkland would be eligible to return after Week 8.

DEFENSIVE LINE (9)

Starters–DE Khalil Mack, DT Eddie Vanderdoes, DT Justin Ellis, DE Mario Edwards Jr. Backups–DE James Cowser, DT Treyvon Hester, DE-DT Denico Autry, DL Jihad Ward, DT Darius Latham.

Cut–DE Rufus Johnson, DT Paul Boyette, DE Jimmy Bean, DL Brandon Jackson, DE Fadol Brown.

Lots of rotating will be going on depending on down and distance. Latham, who made it last year as an undrafted free agent, wasn’t a standout early in camp but has showed up in the preseason games.

LINEBACKERS (6)

Starters–SLB Bruce Irvin, MLB Marquel Lee, WLB Jelani Jenkins. Backups–ILB Cory James, OLB Nicholas Morrow, OLB Shilique Calhoun.

Cut–LB Brady Sheldon, LB LaTroy Lewis, MLB Najee Harris, OLB IK Enemkpali, MLB Xavier Woodson-Luster, MLB Tyrell Adams, MLB Ben Heeney (injured reserve or injury settlement)

Lee has been predictably shaky against the pass, but seemed to get a vote of confidence from Del Rio following the Rams game. Jenkins may have passed James based on the last preaseason game. Morrow, if he doesn’t make the roster, would be an ideal practice squad player coming out of Division III. Not sure Raiders ready yet to give up on Calhoun, who has yet to assert himself as a third-round pick a year ago.

CORNERBACKS (6)

Starters–LCB David Amerson, RCB Sean Smith, Nickel–TJ Carrie. Backups–Gareon Conley, Breon Borders, Antonio Hamilton.

Cut–Dexter McDonald, Chris Humes, Kenneth Durden.

The only locks here are Amerson, Conley and Carrie. You could make a case for or against anyone else. Looks as if the Raiders will stick with Smith, but he can’t afford another slow start like 2016. The waiver wire will be checked closely.

SAFETIES (4)

Starters–FS Reggie Nelson, SS–Karl Joseph. Backups–Obi Melifonwu, Shalom Luani.

Cut–Rickey Jefferson, Marcus McWilson, Anthony Cioffi, Keith McGill (injured reserve).

Melifonwu will get a crash course when healthy to bring him up to speed. Until then, Luani could find his way to the field. McGill, who was also a possibility to be the hybrid player to guard tight ends, has a broken foot and would be eligible to return after Week 8.

SPECIALISTS (3)

Starters–PK Sebastian Janikowski, P Marquette King, LS Jon Condo.

Cut–LS Andrew East, PK Giorgio Tavecchio.

Pretty much cut and dried. If for some reason the Raiders thought Janikowski was slipping, they wouldn’t hesitate to anoint Tavecchio.