Oakland Raiders: Biggest Winners And Losers From Training Camp

Winner: Eddie Vanderdoes

After a delayed start to his professional career, Eddie Vanderdoes has been making up for lost time.

Archaic and very outdated rules prevented Vanderdoes from joining his team until after UCLA’s term ended, forcing him to miss valuable time on the field. But judging by his very early body of work, you might not realize he missed any time at all.

Once Vanderdoes was finally able to get onto the field with his team, it didn’t take very long for him to establish himself – and begin to solidify a starting spot along Oakland’s defensive line.

Next: No More Excuses Is Over, Time For Change Is Now

At six-foot-four, 320 pounds, Vanderdoes is a big, imposing figure. Yet, he’s also shown that he has the explosiveness, mobility, and strength to give the Raiders the push on the interior of that defensive line that they’ve lacked – that they desperately need.

He’s turned heads at camp with his athleticism and has drawn a very favorable and encouraging comparison from Derek Carr – who’s seen up close and personal, just how athletic and explosive Vanderdoes is.

"“Very explosive, great hands. He reminds me a lot of the way [Justin] Tuck can get skinny and shoot a gap. The way he plays with his hands, and if he gets beat the first time, he’s going to counter again. If he gets beat then he’s going to counter again. His mind never stops. His motor never stops. That kind of player inside with Bruce [Irvin] and Khalil [Mack] rushing the outside, it’s going to be a problem. It really is. I’m really happy that we have him and he didn’t go to another AFC West team and let them add another pass rusher.”"

Because of some trouble with weight and injury while at UCLA, Vanderdoes lasted until the third-round. But based on his early performances, it looks like McKenzie may have gotten one of the biggest steals of the Draft this year.