Raiders’ quick slants: 49ers edition

Tyreik McAllister’s splash plays, other standouts should make 53-man roster decisions difficult for Las Vegas

It was way back in late January where I noted the Las Vegas Raiders signing Tyreik McAllister to a future/reserve contract is an under the radar-type signing with potential to be a shrewd move.

In the Silver & Black’s final preseason clash Friday night against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, the CFL star and University of Charleston product showcased his electric speed can translate to an NFL field.

McAllister put his old-school Raiders-type speed (timed 4.39 40-yard dash at a pro day back in 2022) on film by housing a punt 81 yards for a score in the second quarter before making a nifty adjustment on a Carter Bradley pass for a 35-yard touchdown on Las Vegas’ first drive in the third quarter. The two scores helped the Raiders notch a 24-24 tie with the 49ers to close out the exhibition slate for both teams.

McAllister, a running back turned wide receiver — he’s listed as a wideout officially by the Raiders despite having a number normally reserved for a tailback — was a fringe player who showed well enough in the offseason, training camp, and preseason tilts to make Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco’s final 53-man roster decisions difficult.

And that’s a good thing.

Raiders decision makers are going to have to think long and hard about McAllister and he put enough tape on Friday night to merit looks from other NFL teams if Las Vegas deems the 26-year-old who stands 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds unworthy of a spot.

Having another blazer who can pitch in at wide receiver, running back, and on special teams is a mighty plus as McAllister brings similar jets to Tre Tucker who can also catch and carry the rock as well as provide electricity to the return game, particularly punts.

The Raiders aren’t a paragon for pure speed — wild isn’t it? Considering the rich history of fleet-footed players on the team — any more and they can use both Tucker and McAllister. However, there are several other players trying to carve out a spot to avoid getting axed come cut day. All 32 NFL teams must get down to the 53-man mandate from the bloated 90-man rosters they carry now and while some decisions will be no brainers, others will be taxing on personnel people.

In my estimation, McAllister has done enough to merit a serious look. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s kept or cut by Las Vegas. Telsco and Pierce will have some thinking to do, that’s for sure. But don’t get it twisted, the final say on the roster composition will come from the GM, not the head coach.

Let’s hit the quick slants as fast as McAllister found the end zone:

• Raiders undrafted free agent linebacker Amari Gainer shined on Friday night with 13 total tackles and two tackles for loss. The North Carolina product has played well all preseason and at 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds has great size for the position. I think he makes the roster.
• Defensive linemen Charles Snowden, Byron Young, and Matthew Butler each racked up a sack for the Raiders. This was a welcome sight after Las Vegas didn’t register a single sack in the first two exhibition games.
• Rookie running back Dylan Laube had another rough go despite showing some nifty moves, the sixth-round pick was rocked and fumbled resulting in San Francisco recovering the loose ball.
• Ramel Keyton led the Raiders receivers with seven grabs for 76 yards — including an impressive one-hand grab to help set up Las Vegas for the game-tying field goal. McAllister had 56 yards on two grabs and a score. Kristian Wilkerson was third with three grabs for 35 yards and a touchdown (from Nathan Peterman).
• Rookie quarterback Carter Bradley finished 9 of 21 for 169 yards with a touchdown and interception. Veteran Nathan Peterman, who started the matchup, ended 12 of 19 for 108 yards and a score. One of those two may be the third QB, or, maybe that third signal caller isn’t on the roster, yet?
• Second-year safety Chris Smith II came down with the Raiders lone interception — thanks to a pass deflection from cornerback Sam Webb. Smith appears set to make the 53-man roster and the diving pick is a confidence boost.
• After McAllister’s house call on the punt return, the Raiders special teams unit had an atrocious showing on the ensuing kick off return that the 49ers’ Isaac Guerendo took 93 yards before Webb stopped him before the end zone visit.
• Surprised to see the 49ers play first-team personnel against Raiders backups, but it was what it was. Brock Purdy went 9 of 12 for 96 yards and the interception and led with his shoulder on a tackle attempt on Smith’s interception return. That couldn’t have been something San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted to see.

Quote of Note:

“Me and Tom (Telesco) gonna sit up there and pound some tape away and brainstorm and put some names up there and just look at it. It’s tough. It’s not easy cutting 37 men and telling them they gotta find somewhere else to play.”
—Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce on final cuts

Enjoy the wild final play of the game: