Stock up, stock down after Week 2 victory for Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are out of the gate quickly and off to a 2-0 start for the first time in five years.

It’s certainly unexpected for a team that was picked to win just five or six games all year based on the betting odds.

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The team playing to such a standard means a whole lot of individuals are also playing above expectations through two weeks, which made this week’s stock exchange selections even more normal than usual. There are just so many candidates beyond Kirk Cousins, who was the easy choice.

It also makes the process of choosing those whose stocks are on the decline a bit more difficult since there are so many positives at the moment.

But here’s the weekly look at some Raiders whose stock increased in the victory over the Chargers and some whose prospects might have taken a hit:

Stock up

■ Cody White — What more can even be said about the 27-year-old journeyman wide receiver?

White has been activated from the practice squad in each of the last two weeks, made a great special teams play in the opener and scored two touchdowns on Sunday.

That was after scoring one touchdown in six seasons as a pro before this year.

“I think you just keep waiting for your opportunity,” said coach Klint Kubiak, who coached him in Seattle. “All you can do is work hard and do your best, and when your opportunity comes, you got to make the most of it. Same thing happened last year when (the Seahawks) played Washington. We put him in there for a play and threw him a corner route for a big touchdown. So, he’s just been a guy that’s made plays when called upon.”

■ Nakobe Dean — The linebacker missed four snaps in the first half while he was in the medical tent after taking a hard fall, but he more than made up for it upon his return.

Dean tied for the team lead in tackles and forced a fumble with the Chargers driving and a chance to take the lead late in the game.

He has been everything the Raiders hoped for when signing him this offseason.

■ Taron Johnson — Johnson was one of the oldest players the Raiders brought in by the Raiders as part of their defensive overhaul to bring experience to a young group.

Not only was he able to provide a steadying influence with so many moving pieces in the secondary because of injuries and substitutions, Johnson also had a great game against the Chargers. He appears to be settling into his role in Rob Leonard’s defense.

Stock down

■ Jalen Nailor — Nailor led the wide receivers in snaps, but was targeted just three times.

He finished with just one catch for nine yards.

It has been a slow start for Nailor, who was hoping to break out this year after getting away from the superstar wide receivers in Minnesota and reuniting with Cousins.

■ The run game — A week after Ashton Jeanty eclipsed 100 yards and gave the Raiders some optimism about their ability to move the ball on the ground, the rushing attack was stuck in neutral.

The holes just weren’t there for Jeanty, who managed 48 yards on 21 carries.

It was a poor enough showing that the Raiders now find themselves at the bottom of the league at 2.8 yards per carry on the season.

■ Isaiah Pola-Mao — The former starting safety got extensive time with rookie Treydan Stukes in concussion protocol, but once again showed some vulnerability in coverage.

He does, however, remain a solid tackler who can have a positive impact coming up in the box and getting downhill.

The key is to try to deploy him in the right situations.