Eddie

Vanderdoes

The Texans released Vanderdoes, who opted out of 2020 season, in February. The 2017 third-rounder was a 13 game starter as a rookie but has appeared in just three games since. San Francisco also worked out undrafted DE Justus Reed.

Vanderdoes played three games with the Texans last year after starting 13 games for the Raiders in 2017. He didn’t play in 2018. He was expected to be part of Houston’s defensive line rotation this season. Vanderdoes will collect the $150,000 stipend designated for players who opt out for non-injury reasons.

He blew out his knee last year and has battled a concussion most of the summer. Vanderdoes underachieved with the Raiders, logging a mere 464 snaps over his two-year span in Oakland. The 2017 third-rounder is still just 24 and should get an opportunity elsewhere once healthy.

Vanderdoes (6’3/305) arrived at UCLA as the nation’s No. 1 defensive line recruit, yet battled repeated knee, foot, and weight problems, managing 12.5 career tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Vanderdoes ballooned north of 350 pounds at times before dropping weight during the pre-draft phase. Nonetheless physically gifted, Vanderdoes tested as a top-four athlete among defensive linemen at February’s Combine. While Vanderdoes has always been long on potential, he hasn’t realized it since high school. He could become a plus starter or fall out of the league before his rookie contract is up.

The Raiders listed Vanderdoes with the first team on their unofficial depth chart. Despite missing all of OTAs, Vanderdoes has drawn raves for his strong training camp. With Jihad Ward still recovering from surgery, Vanderdoes should see heavy early-season snaps.

It’s pretty unbelievable there are still draft picks unsigned at this point. Vanderdoes missed all of OTAs due to the NFL’s ridiculous rule for rookies from colleges whose semesters were still not over. Vanderdoes tested really well at the Combine but rarely lived up to his potential while at UCLA.

Vanderdoes will be a candidate for reserve/PUP after tearing his ACL in last season’s finale. The No. 88 overall pick of the 2017 draft, Vanderdoes played 464 snaps before going down. He was playing his best football before getting hurt. Vanderdoes turns 24 in October.

It is a terrible break for a player who showed well down the stretch as a rookie. Now Vanderdoes faces a recovery which will likely stretch into next season. He is at best questionable for Week 1.

Vanderdoes tore his ACL last Week 17 and had a rehab setback. Opening the season on PUP would cost Vanderdoes at least the first six weeks. The Raiders have good interior depth but nothing at end without holdout Khalil Mack.

It opens a three-week window for the Raiders to activate the second-year pro. If Vanderdoes remains sidelined through that time, his season will end. The Raiders could certainly use his help.