Oakland Raiders: 5 players whose stock has dropped this preseason

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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 12: Quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass ahead of defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes #94 of the Oakland Raiders during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Eddie Vanderdoes, DT

A third round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Eddie Vanderdoes had a solid rookie campaign as a rotational defensive lineman, where he recorded 17 tackles (12 solo). In the final game of the 2017 season, however, Vanderdoes suffered a torn ACL which caused him to miss the beginning of the 2018 season.

Vanderdoes would in turn miss the entire 2018 season dealing with the rehabilitation of his surgically repaired knee. The 2019 preseason looked promising for Vanderdoes, who came into camp healthy for the first time since his rookie campaign. However, it did not last long, as on July 27th, the second day of training camp, Vanderdoes left practice with a concussion during a non-contact drill and has been held out of activity since.

Jon Gruden’s concern for this season is players that are available and ready to play, and given the emphasis on addressing the need for more competition on the defensive line every day, Vanderdoes isn’t competing is another opportunity for another player to earn more reps. With a concussion holding Vanderdoes out of practice for nearly a month, there may be a deeper issue that is not being addressed, just as there was with linebacker Nick Roach in 2015.

With the elevated play of UDFA Anthony Rush, free agent Ethan Westbrooks, second year players P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst, and the re-signing of Johnathan Hankins, it looks as if Vanderdoes is holding on by a thread to his current roster spot.

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