Oakland Raiders: Preseason Week 3 — Stock Up/Stock Down

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 4: Luke Willson #82 of the Detroit Lions is tackled with the ball after making a catch in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Oakland Raiders (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Stock Down: Luke Willson, TE

While there are five other tight ends on the roster, Luke Willson is really in a battle with just Paul Butler, Brandon Barnes, and Derek Carrier.

Barnes showed some solid blocking, while Butler hauled in five receptions. Those five receptions only gained 18 yards, but he showed soft hands and was a safety blanket for Peterman in this one.

Willson, on the other hand, was targeted twice and came up empty with zero receptions. One of these was deflected, but he could have been more physical.

On his first target, he ran his route slowly and didn’t look to be playing full speed showing little effort. Little things like that mean a lot when you are fighting for a roster spot even if it doesn’t reflect him as an overall player.

Willson was signed to be a backup blocking tight end though he does have decent athleticism. But with rookie Foster Moreau listed as the backup as well as Carrier and Butler outplaying him, his chances of making the team are very low.

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