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5 Oakland Raiders on the bubble entering the final preseason game

By Matt Holder

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Wide receiver Rico Gafford #10 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after scoring on a 53 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Wide receiver Rico Gafford #10 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after scoring on a 53 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 20: Ethan Westbrooks #95 of the Los Angeles Rams takes the field prior to the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 20: Ethan Westbrooks #95 of the Los Angeles Rams takes the field prior to the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Ethan Westbrooks, DL

Opportunities in the NFL are hard to come by and as player when given one, you have to make the most of it. A few days into training camp, Ethan Westbrooks got the call for his opportunity and has answered in a big way. The West Texas A&M product has complied six pressures and one sack in the preseason so far.

Working against Westbrooks, is the depth the Raiders have at defensive tackle. All of his production as a pass rusher has come as an interior defensive lineman. The coaching staff gave him a shot at defensive end against Green Bay, but that resulted in the defensive lineman’s worst game of the preseason.

It looks like Justin Ellis, Johnathan Hankins and Maurice Hurst are locks to make the team; so that leaves Westbrooks to compete with P.J. Hall and Anthony Rush for the fourth defensive tackle spot on the roster. Thursday night will be a big game for Westbrooks, and performing well at end and tackle will be key. Having some versatility along the defensive line could be the six-year veteran’s saving grace.

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