Oakland Raiders: Preseason Week 1 — Stock Up/Stock Down
By Nico Di Fede
After the Oakland Raiders win against the Rams, which players’ stock rose with solid performances, and whose stock fell after disappointing performances?
The Oakland Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Rams at home in the Coliseum, 14-3 in the first preseason game of the season for both teams.
Overall the Raiders had a pretty good performance, only allowing three points on defense. And though they only scored 14 points, the offense drove down the field multiple times and showed a lot to like.
There are a lot more players to praise than there are players who disappointed after this one. But we’ll go over both in terms of who altered their stock most in this early preseason matchup.
Stock Up: DeAndre Washington, RB
His stats don’t pop out, though it’s preseason so that isn’t expected. But if you watched the game there is no way you weren’t impressed by running back DeAndre Washington.
Washington is a guy that has stuck onto the team the past couple years despite not doing much in the regular season. Well in this game he showed why.
The Texas tech product was reliable in this one finishing with six attempts for 24 yards and a touchdown as well as two receptions for 21 yards, one of those a nice one-handed catch.
While Jalen Richard is known as a receiving back, and Josh Jacobs was largely drafted due to his ability as a receiver, Washington showed he’s no slouch in that area himself.
Overall, Washington showed nice vision and patience and the ability to know when to cut outside or back inside, which is why he may be a better pure runner than Richard who isn’t the best in between the tackles.
His best play of the day was his seven-yard touchdown run which was the first of the day for the Raiders on their opening offensive possession.
Not his first rodeo.@dwa5hington does what he does for the score. #LARvsOAK pic.twitter.com/0CKna8UW8U
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 11, 2019
On this run, he was initially headed outside as it was an off-tackle run, but he noticed a sizable opening in the middle of the line and cut back inside. Great vision displayed by Washington and hopefully, he keeps this up throughout preseason.
Washington is most likely fighting for a roster spot against Doug Martin as Richard and Jacobs are locks who already have roles on the team. If Washington keeps this up he will likely get the nod as he is significantly younger.