Winners & losers from Los Angeles Rams-Oakland Raiders preseason game

Judging from last year, Los Angeles Rams fans had to know that they weren’t going to get a whiff of any stars in the week 1 preseason matchup with the Oakland Raiders. So, with that understanding, this game was all about guys on the bottom half of the 53-man roster that want to prove that they can contribute on a Super Bowl caliber team.

WINNERS

S Taylor Rapp

The second-round draft pick from Washington already had good buzz going into the game, but he had two bright moments that vaulted his stock up a little bit hight. Rapp has a clutch open field tackle in the first quarter and later broke up a pass. His brief play showed how technically sound Rapp’s playing style is. He’s a hustle guy that does things the right right and is sure to be a fan favorite.

EDGE Landis Durham

The LA Rams struggled to rush the QB on Saturday night... until undrafted rookie LB Landis Durham checked into the game. Durham had a sack, six tackles, a QB hit, and a tackle for loss. The dude also made a tackle on special teams. Let’s see this guy against the first team in the next preseason game, please.

WR KhaDarel Hodge

With 3 catches for 48 yards, Hodge started off hot, catching two passes from projected backup QB Blake Bortles. Last season, Hodge was a practice squad guy that was able to make it to the roster when a rash of injuries hit the wideouts. This year, Hodge seems to be getting some looks with the opportunity to be the 5th WR on the roster, battling with WR Mike Thomas. On Saturday night, it appears that Hodge was ready to compete.

S Steven Parker

Talk about a guy playing for a job, S Steven Parker was also a practice squad guy last season after going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft. Not the most athletic player, Parker is going to make plays because he has a high football IQ. Like Hodge, Parker is competing for a spot in a crowded position that will most likely place him on the practice squad once again. However, his 5 tackles and one interception definitely turned some heads.

LOSERS

QB Brandon Allen

After watching QB Brandon Allen complete 6 of 12 passes for 34 yards, it seems like the guy isn’t going to stay on the roster. Allen looks uncomfortable out there, throwing up questionable throws with little confidence in his body language. It wouldn’t be a shock if QB John Wolford passes him on the depth chart this week.

OL Jamil Demby

Projected to be a key depth guy for the offensive line, OL Jamil Demby didn’t do himself any favors Saturday night. Demby had two holding penalties and when he was switched to center, screwed up the snap. It’s understandable that mistakes are going to be made when these guys are moved all over the O-line as Demby looked a little rough.

EDGE Trevon Young

I was excited to see LB Trevon Young play in the first preseason game as the guy was getting some hype in training camp. The Rams are very thin at EDGE and Young has a great chance to get some snaps. However, Young wasn’t able to get to the QB with any sort of acceleration. He seemed to be overpowered by the Raiders lineman time and time again.

RB John Kelly

With all of the hype that RB Darrell Henderson has been getting, this was the night for RB John Kelly to get in there and compete for some touches. He had a 9 yard run, but that was pretty much it with only 3 rushing attempts. Kelly has some explosiveness but wasn’t able to showcase his talent enough (in my opinion) to quiet the Hendo-hype.