The final wave of cuts is coming. It can be an emotional time for both teams and the players involved. Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels recently alluded to the difficulties that this entails. Regardless, undrafted rookie Sam Webb did his best to stand out in the preseason and training camp. He’s certainly one of the gems that general manager Dave Ziegler signed post-NFL draft. The question is, did he do enough to win a roster spot?
Sam Webb made the of his experience with the Raiders
One thing about Webb is that each time he’s been given an opportunity on the field, he’s made the most of it. He didn’t allow a single touchdown when targeted in the final preseason game against the New England Patriots on Friday, effectively shutting down everyone he was matched up against. Of the eight times he was targeted, Webb surrendered just five completions. We can even go back to last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins when he caused and recovered a fumble.
According to Pro Football Focus, he was the highest-graded defender for the Raiders. In his 49 snaps, he was graded at 88.8 overall by the publication. As a side note, Webb also received a 72.7 grade for his run defense efforts.
Sam Webb is out here looking like that guy.
— Phil Robinson (@PhilRobinsonIII) August 27, 2022
Even when lined up against the Minnesota Vikings’ wide receivers, he held his own and showed no fear of whoever was in front of him. He’s demonstrated grit, hunger, and determination. Though they don’t appear on the stat sheet, they do appear on tape. Additionally, he’s outplayed others on his squad like Amik Robertson. Webb simply wants this spot more.
The ultimate underdog, from Missouri Western to Las Vegas…
Webb’s shined as one of the Raiders’ true underdog stories this year, so making the team takes it to another level. He is, after all, a cornerback from Missouri Western, a small Division II school in St. Joseph, Missouri. Much like his time with the Raiders, Webb made the most of his collegiate career. He earned an East vs. West Shrine Bowl invite; however, he went undrafted. Though Webb didn’t hear the call from an NFL team during the draft weekend, he could get one hearing that he made the Raiders’ roster. If that happens, look for him to figure into the Raiders’ secondary for a long time.
As for the front office, they’ve displayed an ability to find hidden talent. Ziegler has done a masterful job of working with what we had after trading away his first two picks this year for Davante Adams. If Webb turns out to be a contributor in 2022, it will only help to grow the fans’ confidence in this new regime beyond 2022.
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*Top Photo: AP Photo/David Richard