post game notes

The best part about preseason openers (relax, it’s a short list)? When a young player emerges from the far right of the depth chart and makes some plays. Anthony Rush for the Raiders was one such player on Saturday night.

The undrafted defensive tackle out of UAB had four tackles, one for a loss of 4 yards and three for no gain. Raiders coach Jon Gruden lit up when he was asked about Rush after the game.

“Anthony Rush,” Gruden said. “Big, 340-pound defensive tackle that did make some plays. He shows he can push the pocket.

“I’m really proud of these young players. You’re rooting for them like they’re your kids. You’re cheering for them, screaming at them, really hoping some of them can burst onto the scene.”

The Raiders sat 29 players and still beat the Los Angeles Rams, 14-3, in the last preseason game ever in Oakland. The starters will play a little bit Thursday night against the Cardinals, so now is a good time to look at the players on the roster bubble and which players’ futures with the Raiders may come down to the next three preseason games.

Trending up
DT Anthony Rush — Gruden went so far as to call Rush “not one-dimensional.” If he continues to make plays like he did Saturday, things could get very interesting for P.J. Hall and Eddie Vanderdoes (out with a concussion). Especially with the next guy on this list seemingly already having a roster spot.

DT Ethan Westbrooks — The former Ram had a quarterback hit Saturday night, and Gruden is constantly talking him up — from the nice things he said on “Hard Knocks” last week to calling Westbrooks “a Gruden Grinder” to saying Westbrooks was going to make a lot of big plays for the Raiders in his post-game speech to players.

QB Nathan Peterman — Peterman is growing on me, too. He led a touchdown drive, had a 50-yard run (the second-longest in Raiders preseason history since 2000, after George Atkinson III’s 53-yarder in 2016) and didn’t turn the ball over.

“Peterman showed his athleticism,” Gruden said. “He can run. And as he continues to gain command of the offense, then he’s going to be an interesting guy to watch.”

FB Alec Ingold — The undrafted rookie looked the part, blocking-wise, and he had four catches for 22 yards. But veteran Keith Smith is back soon from a knee injury and Smith is special teams coach Rich Bisaccia’s guy.

WR J.J. Nelson — Nelson has been one of the stars of training camp, and he showed why with a 38-yard catch from Mike Glennon on Saturday. The absence of Antonio Brown has been good for Nelson, as he has moved around and shown he can play the slot as well. It’s hard to imagine him not making the 53-man roster.

WR Ryan Grant — Grant has been the forgotten man with all the love being showered on rookie Hunter Renfrow. The slot receiver made three very nice catches for 32 yards (while Renfrow was targeted once and the pass was broken up).

“I like Grant,” Gruden said. “My brother (Jay) had Ryan in Washington. I used to go up there and sometimes all we talked about was Ryan Grant. He played excellent when (Pierre) Garçon was out. … I got my guy. I’m really excited about him.”

WR Keelan Doss — The Alameda native and UC Davis product had a TD catch and Gruden keeps talking him up. “I said I like that Doss,” Gruden said. “He’s playing three positions. It’s a credit to him. He’s a smart guy.” Marcell Ateman and Keon Hatcher also looked good — yes, Gruden likes them too — and the fight for the last receiver spot should be good.

G Denver Kirkland — Kirkland looked good on the opening touchdown drive. The Raiders need a fill-in for the injured Gabe Jackson, and Gruden has said veteran Jordan Devey has first crack. Kirkland has three weeks to change his mind.

DE Arden Key — Key has been getting better every day at camp, and not only as a pass rusher but against the run. He credited defensive line coach Brentson Buckner and Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth for helping him get the sack on Saturday night. Key asked Whitworth, a fellow LSU product, for advice after the joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

“They were telling me something about my rush moves, about how I’m giving it up too early,” Key said. “Run at him, and then at the last second, just do your move.”

CB Trayvon Mullen — The rookie has looked the part since he showed up, and he had a nice pass break-up. It’s only a matter of time before he is starting over Gareon Conley or Daryl Worley, and Mullen is trying to accelerate the process and make it happen by Sept. 9.

P A.J. Cole — Cole is definitely ahead in the punter battle. The rookie averaged 43 yards on four punts, with two inside the 20-yard line.

“He put on an orbital display the other day,” Gruden said. “We haven’t seen kicks like that since (Shane) Lechler was here or (Marquette) King. He has a live leg and it looks like he can directional punt and hold, so (Johnny) Townsend has his hands full.”

You know, King is available … never mind.

Trending down
QB Mike Glennon — He threw two interceptions, one because he made a bad decision and one because he was fooled by the Rams defense. Otherwise, he completed 17-of-23 passes. I think he still has a pretty good lead on Peterman, but it definitely shrunk a little bit Saturday night. I will say this, though: Peterman has a chance to make a play when the pocket breaks down, while Glennon is aiming for the water boy on the sidelines.

DE Maxx Crosby and CB Isaiah Johnson — The rookies sustained injuries, through no fault of their own, and lost some valuable reps. Crosby broke his hand, and while there was no word from the team on the severity, he tweeted to his fans that he was OK. Johnson sustained a concussion.

CB Nick Nelson — Nelson needs to be playing but was banged up and sat out the opener. Nevin Lawson’s pending four-game suspension for PEDs may buy Nelson some time, but not much and that’s not even guaranteed.

Status quo
RB DeAndré Washington — Washington looked great, with 45 yards rushing and receiving and a touchdown in the first quarter. But if a fourth-year running back can’t dominate against a bunch of scrubs, then something is very wrong.

DE Clelin Ferrell — The No. 4 overall draft pick was, by his own admission, “decent.” He had a couple of tackles, one for a loss.

“I left a lot of money on the table,” Ferrell said. “It was more so, not thinking so much. I feel like I was thinking a lot with everything being so new out there. I feel like it was OK, I didn’t have a lot of mental errors or things like that so I feel like it was a good day.

“The best part about it is I have a lot, a lot, a lot of room to grow so I’m excited.”

Didn’t play
QB Derek Carr, WR Tyrell Williams, WR Dwayne Harris, RB Doug Martin, RB Josh Jacobs, RB Jalen Richard, C Rodney Hudson, G Richie Incognito, G Gabe Jackson, T/G Denzelle Good, T Kolton Miller, T Trent Brown, TE Luke Willson, TE Darren Waller, WR Antonio Brown, CB Worley, CB Conley, S Lamarcus Joyner, S Karl Joseph, LB Vontaze Burfict, DT Gabe Wright, LB Kyle Wilber, LB Tahir Whitehead, DT Justin Ellis, DT Johnathan Hankins, DE Benson Mayowa, DT Hall, DT Vanderdoes, DE Josh Mauro.

53-man roster longshots
WR De’Mornay Pierson-El, WR Keon Hatcher, WR Jordan Lasley, RB Mack Brown, RB James Butler, G Lester Cotton, T Andre James, T Justin Murray, T Tyler Roemer, S Dallin Leavitt, DB Dylan Mabin, DB Keisean Nixon, S Jordan Richards, LB Koa Farmer, DE James Cowser, LB Te’von Coney, DE Alex Barrett.