The first summer program can always be difficult for a brand-new head coach, but by all accounts, Klint Kubiak and his coaching staff knocked it out of the park. The Las Vegas Raiders got a lot of work done and learned a ton about themselves in the process ahead of roster cutdowns on Sunday.
And while the winners and losers at several junctures in training camp and the preseason have been talked about, we haven't done a comprehensive climbers and fallers list that takes both training camp and the three-game preseason slate into account. But that is precisely the point of this article.
So, from the time that the Silver and Black returned to Raiders HQ in late July through Thursday's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, here are the players who gained the most favor this summer and those who fell from grace.
Raiders' biggest winners and losers from the whole summer program
Climbers
Mike Washington Jr., RB
Washington Jr. was the only player who earned equal hype during training camp and the preseason. After flashing at times in practices, the rookie running back took things to another level in live action and ran all over every defense that he faced, while also flashing some nice pass protection and pass-catching skills. His habit of explosive plays will keep him in the rotation when Ashton Jeanty is back.
Patrick Johnson, DE
Johnson came relatively out of nowhere during the first exhibition game, but he made the most of his three appearances. Between sacks, run stops and plays on special teams, the veteran edge rusher turned in a strong summer and is making the Raiders' decision in the defensive line room very tough.
Malik Benson
Benson was the star of training camp, so he still ends up on this list, even though his preseason play left some to be desired. From an unlikely sixth-round pick to talk of being a starter, Benson worked his way into the franchise's good graces and bought plenty of time for himself to develop. He continued to flash in the preseason but also made mistakes, as any Day 3 selection does. But still, a riser.
Tonka Hemingway
Hemingway, like Benson, ascended the depth chart during training camp. After spending most of last season on the sidelines, the second-year defensive tackle is in line to be a starter. Hemingway didn't bring his best stuff during the exhibition slate, but he's still way ahead of where he was previously.
Zeke Masses
Masses wasn't even the most talked-about cornerback in the rookie class, but he may very well be a Day 1 starter. He started out training camp like gangbusters and although he tumbled in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, Masses rebounded well and is right back in the thick of things at CB2.
Foley Fatukasi
Fatukasi was a late addition, not joining the team until after the first preseason game, but he made sure his presence was felt in the little time that he had. After just one game, he was taking some first-team reps at practice, and if he doesn't make the roster at this point, it'd be somewhat of a shock.
Starting OL group
Rick Dennison has done incredible work with the first-team offensive line, and even the depth is coming along, even if the 2s didn't look tremendous this preseason. After watching the horror show that was last season, it's just a bit flabbergasting to watch a quarterback in a clean pocket and to see holes for a running back to go through. This unit is leaps and bounds ahead of last year.
Fallers
Aidan O'Connell
O'Connell was said to be in the running for the starting job, and he technically came into camp as the second quarterback. But even he knew that wouldn't last. And things weren't any better for him when the games started, as outside of a triumphant fourth quarter against the Houston Texans, he couldn't get much going with the 3s. He may still be on the roster, but he's on shakier ground than before.
Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Thornton Jr.'s inability to stay healthy has really been a disappointment. The Raiders don't have much in the way of proven talent at receiver, but instead of being out there developing and making a case for himself, he spent most of training camp and all of the preseason sidelined with an injury. It's getting tougher and tougher to justify keeping him on the 53-man roster.
Ian Thomas
Thomas was thought to be a reliable TE3 with good run-blocking ability and a reliable set of hands as a checkdown target. But he failed to put that on display this preseason, namely in the last two games. At this point, it wouldn't surprise me if the team looks externally for another body at the position.
Jalen Nailor
Nailor was thought to be a WR1 candidate in Las Vegas heading into camp, but he ended up getting dragged. While the starters sat on the sideline in Week 2 in Houston, Nailor was out there playing, which sent a message. And Kubiak has had no quarrels about effectively blaming him for Fernando Mendoza's interception against the 49ers. He should rebound, but Nailor didn't have a good summer.
Kansei Matsuzawa
Matsuzawa had a chance to be the Raiders' starting kicker with a strong training camp, but he didn't even put up a fight. Between bad kickoffs, missed field goals and botched extra points, The Tokyo Toe did not put his best foot forward, and he could be on his way out of town.
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