BEMIDJI - Brian Leonhardt’s quest to make an NFL opening-day roster is almost complete.

The former Bemidji State standout tight end has made the Oakland Raiders’ 53-man roster, the team announced Saturday.

According to Bemidji State head football coach Jeff Tesch, Leonhardt will be the first former Beaver to make an NFL roster.

Last season the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Leonhardt was among the last players the Raiders cut from the 53-man roster, but Oakland almost immediately re-signed him for the practice squad, where he spent all of 2013.

“It was almost like it was meant to be this year,” Tesch said. “He earned his spurs and stripes last year on the developmental squad and this year he played well in the preseason. And with other guys getting hurt he was able to step up so it seemed kind of destined to happen.”

With an injuries to tight ends David Ausberry and Nick Kasa - who beat out Leonhardt for the final tight end spot last season - Leonhardt took advantage of his increased chances with the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses.

In all this preseason Leonhardt caught two passes for 15 yards, but the Raiders plan on using the BSU graduate mostly as a blocker in running plays rather than a main pass-catcher.

In all the Raiders waived 19 players Saturday.

In addition to Ausberry and Leonhardt the Raiders kept Mychal Rivera on their 53-man roster at tight end but cut Jake Murphy and Scott Simonson.

However, teams may make more moves before their opening-day rosters are finalized. The Raiders could still sign players who were let go by other teams before their Sept. 7 opener at the New York Jets.