Five things that stood out with the Oakland Raiders initial 53-man roster

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Former head coach of the Oakland Raiders and now ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst Jon Gruden looks on during pre-game warm ups before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 18, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Former head coach of the Oakland Raiders and now ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst Jon Gruden looks on during pre-game warm ups before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 18, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 18: Brandon Allen #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass as FadolBrown #95 of the Oakland Raiders defends during the second half of a preseason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 18: Brandon Allen #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass as FadolBrown #95 of the Oakland Raiders defends during the second half of a preseason game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Fadol and Hatcher earn spot

Over the preseason schedule, one guy who really stood out on the defensive side of the ball was defensive end Fadol Brown. Brown proved himself to be a force on the edge for the Raiders, and likely earned his playoff spot by playing injured in the fourth preseason game, where his injured foot appeared to not hinder him.

Staying with that fourth playoff game, that is where Keon Hatcher earned his playoff spot, as he went nuts against the Seattle Seahawks. Hatcher hauled in eight catches for over 120 receiving yards, while finding the end zone three times. He showed the ability to beat people deep, and go over the middle, and the coaching staff was blown away by his performance.

Both men will be counted on in big ways in 2018 if the Raiders are going to have success. Brown’s importance was heightened when Mack was traded on Saturday, and when the team released veteran Martavis Bryant, it meant that Hatcher would have the opportunity to continue to move up the depth chart at wide receiver.