Oakland Raiders: The good, bad, and ugly in preseason win over the Packers

Good: Fadol Brown

A UDFA pickup out of Ole Miss last season, the rookie defensive end Fadol Brown didn’t move the needle very much in his first season under Jack Del Rio‘s watch, and spent the year on the team’s practice squad.

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He didn’t have much of an impact through the first two games of the preseason, leaving his status very much on the bubble, if not leaning heavily toward another year on the practice squad – if that.

But with some extended snaps against Green Bay, Brown seized the opportunity he was given, and had a solid impact on the game.

After registering just a couple of tackles in the first two preseason games, Brown was given more time on the field and responded by posting seven tackles – four solo – (second-best on the team). He also had a tackle for a loss, three quarterback hits, and notched one-and-a-half sacks for the game.

In the absence of Khalil Mack, a number of players are doing their best to take advantage of the situation and show they can contribute to the team. Given the talent and the depth already on the roster, guys are going to be hard pressed to catch the attention of Gruden and DC Paul Guenther.

Brown may have just done that with his standout performance against Green Bay.

Realistically, Brown is probably still a longshot to make the active 53-man roster. But, his showing against the Packers certainly didn’t hurt his stock any. And he may have made the decision Gruden and the coaching staff will be facing, a little more difficult come cut down day.