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Oakland Raiders: The good, bad, and ugly in preseason loss to the Rams

By Kevin Saito

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders coaches from the sideline during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders coaches from the sideline during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Good: Marquel Lee

When GM Reggie McKenzie used a fifth-round pick on Wake Forest linebacker Marquel Lee last year, it was with the thought that he could man the middle of Oakland’s defense.

And why not? He has good size – six-foot-three, 235 pounds. He’s athletic, strong, and has relatively decent speed. McKenzie and former HC Jack Del Rio thought they’d found the solution to a problem in that second level of their defense that had plagued them for a long time.

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As a rookie though, Lee had an up and down year. A starter in the middle early on, he proved to be more of a liability than an asset on the field – especially on passing downs.

He made five starts to open the year, but struggled mightily. After being injured in the team’s week five loss to Baltimore, he missed the next three games. During that time frame, the team signed veteran NaVorro Bowman, and after that, Lee didn’t see the field all that much.

As a rookie, he appeared in 13 total games – with six starts – and racked up 22 total tackles (15 solo).

There were many who thought Lee would ultimately go the way of 2016 sixth-round pick Cory James – who was released this offseason, after struggling to fit in at the NFL level.

And he still might.

With an influx of talent in the linebackers room, Lee isn’t a lock to make the 53-man roster. But, so far this preseason, he’s quietly making his case for making the opening day lineup.

After finishing second on the team in tackles with six (four solo), Lee finished second on the team again against the Rams with five (four solo). Against LA, he also notched a sack, a tackle for a loss, and a QB hit.

It was a solid day in what’s been a solid offseason for the second-year pro. If he keeps producing at that level, he very well might find himself on the 53-man roster.

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