Oakland Raiders: A few guys who need to perform well in preseason finale

Shilique Calhoun

And speaking of being at a crossroads in one’s Raiders career…

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Since being drafted in the third-round (seventy-fifth overall), in the 2016 Draft, Shilique Calhoun has been a massive disappointment. He’s been so disappointing, that he was cut last year – then signed to the team’s practice squad – then eventually elevated back to the active roster.

It was a pretty stunning fall from grace for a guy picked that high. Granted, he’s nowhere near the bust JaMarcus Russell was, but his contributions on the field were – minimal (11 total tackles, half a sack in 19 career games with no starts).

But, with a new coaching regime, comes new life. Or, at least, Calhoun is hoping so. He believes that DC Paul Guenther’s systems and schemes are better suited to his playing style, and size. The six-foot-four, 250 pound defensive end has never lacked for size, speed or power, but, to hear him tell it, a scheme compatible with him.

And you would have to say that, if the early results are any indication, he may very well be right.

Through three preseason games that encompass a total of 134 defensive snaps, Calhoun has been effective. He’s racked up eight tackles (all solo), two sacks, five tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, and a pass defensed.

Basically, he’s looked more like the player GM Reggie McKenzie thought he was drafting back in 2016, and less like the draft bust who got cut last season.

Calhoun is still very much on the roster bubble, despite a standout performance through three preseason games. He’s going to need another solid performance against Seattle if he’s going to put himself in the best position possible to make it to the 53-man roster.

It may not be enough, but Calhoun, to this point, has showed that put into the right system and scheme, he can be every bit as disruptive as the team thought he would be when they drafted him.