Eddie Vanderdoes is already down to 301 pounds

Oakland Raiders third-round draft pick Eddie Vanderdoes is unable to participate in the team’s offseason workouts until classes at UCLA are out in June. But he’s already shedding weight.

Due to an NFL rule, Eddie Vanderdoes, the third-round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders, is unable to participate in the team’s offseason workouts until classes at UCLA are out in June. But that hasn’t stopped him from getting in shape.

To be specific, the rule states that for rookies who attended schools that participate in the quarter system, which UCLA does, have to wait until classes are out before they can participate in NFL programs. As they are technically considered amateurs still — and again, this is an NFL rule.

For a player who has struggled with his weight and his conditioning in the past, this is a bit of a disappointment that Vanderdoes can’t get a jumpstart on getting ready for the NFL season — at least with the team. But he’ll surely be hitting the playbook hard, and working out on his own time. That way, he can immediately get rolling once he is allowed to.

In fact, Vanderdoes sounds like he’s off to a good start.

"“I’m in good shape and where I want to be,” Vanderdoes said. “Now, it’s just learning the playbook, learning the technique and taking it to the next level.”"

Following an ACL tear in 2015, Vanderdoes struggled with his conditioning in his final season at UCLA. As a result, his weight got out of hand, and he played at nearly 340 pounds. However, he got with the EXOS team and weighed in at 305 pounds at the NFL Combine. And as of last Friday, he’s down to 301 pounds.

"“Diet’s been huge. It’s just a matter of portion control and exactly what you take into your body. So, I learned a lot of that at EXOS. The … strength and conditioning staff here is also from EXOS, I learned that today. So, I’m able to take what I did at EXOS and do it here as well … I’m able to thrive in this strength and conditioning program and excited to get to work.”"

Next: ESPN ranks Raiders 7th in power rankings

To be down to 301 pounds without being able to workout with the team is a great sign of Eddie’s work ethic and commitment to getting in shape. On the field, he’s quite the player, and most of his weaknesses surround his poor conditioning, which negatively affected his play. So he if can get that in order, and keep it that way, he could turn out to be a steal in the third round.

As a third-round pick, Vanderdoes will be expected to make an immediate contribution to the team. Perhaps not as a full-time starter, but at least as a quality rotational player.