Oakland Raiders: Preseason Week 1 — Stock Up/Stock Down

Stock Down: James Butler, RB

While running back DeAndre Washington made his case for a spot on the team, James Butler may have given away his.

There isn’t much to say other than the majority of his runs went for only one or two yards. Butler lacks vision and was unable to find any holes in the line which is the reason for his poor performance.

Butler did have four receptions for 25 yards, but those were mostly on dump-offs. And with the other backs in Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, and DeAndre Washington all considered receiving threats, that is not the way he is going to earn his spot on the team.

Stock Down: Nevin Lawson, CB

Like running back, cornerback is another position that has some depth and is tough to predict how the depth chart will turn out.

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The veteran Nevin Lawson was signed with the Raiders after spending six years with the Detroit Lions. In those six years, he has zero career interceptions and we saw some of why in this game.

Lawson had two pass interferences called on him. The second was a questionable call, but he didn’t turn his head which in today’s league is begging for a penalty.

The following play was made by Lawson where he turned his head covering a streak route and made the deflection, but in the regular season, one pass interference can lose you a game.

And Lawson is a veteran fighting for a roster spot on a team who looks to be at least decent on paper at the position. On top of his performance, Lawson is going to be suspended for the first four games due to a violation of the league’s substance policy.

Those things combined put the odds way out of his favor when it comes to making the team and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is cut before long.