What is the story about?
The Raiders are coming off Klint Kubiak’s first draft class, while John Spytek’s second draft class since landing in Las Vegas. The Raiders selected 10 rookies, and signed another 21. The Raiders have a ton of roster turnover heading into their second season with Spytek at the helm, and after a few big ticket free agents, it’s clear the Raiders are going to let their young talent have the chance to compete for a roster spot. So far I have broken down the 2024, 2025, and now 2026 classes with all
of them likely seeing a ton of playtime which allows them the ability to stay young, develop in house talent, and then overall keep young talent in house. With all that in mind, a look at the Raiders rookies standings for 2026.
QB Fernando Mendoza: Competition for Starting QB
2025: 16 Games (724 snaps) | 71% completion rate (273/382), 2758 yards, 41 TD, 6 INT, 9.3 YPA, 182.9 QBR, 5.7% Big Time Throw Rate, 2.6% Turnover Worthy Play Rate | 76 attempts, 377 yards, 7 TD, 5 fumbles
- Mendoza had an excellent season for the Hoosiers in 2025, leading them to the national championship, winning the Heisman, and also solidifying himself as the first overall selection. The Raiders are going to be patient with Mendoza, he needs to work his way up to start, but he’s likely to start at least 1/3 of the season, if not more. Mendoza will need to learn from playing under center, he’ll need to adapt to the NFL level, and also show more than Kirk Cousins. Cousins is coming off a 2025 season where he logged just 269 attempts for 1721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Cousins started 10 games in 2025, 14 in 2024, and 8 in 2023 but the 38 year old QB is likely to be the Raiders starter come week one with Las Vegas slowly incorporating Mendoza into the NFL level. Mendoza is better than Cousins, and he’ll push him to start, but overall the Raiders clear ability to be patient and slowly incorporate Mendoza will give Cousins an upperhand. I’d expect to see Mendoza starting at some point, but not immediately.
SAF Treydan Stukes: Starting FS
2025: 10 Games (608 snaps) | 52 tackles, TFL, sack, 4 INT, 7 PBU, 10.7% missed tackle rate, 17 run stops, 59% reception rate (23/39), 213 yards, 34.4 QBR allowed
- Stukes is listed as mainly playing NCB for Arizona, though Arizona played a versatile defense that allowed for Stukes to work at NCB and quickly get to a FS role as they played a K type role. Stukes is fluid, he’s able to work downfield, he’s a true ballhawk, and his run defense left little to be desired. The transition from more of the near the LOS (10-12 yard drops) to the 15+ yard drops could be an adjustment, but Stukes has the necessary instincts, coverage traits, and movement to be a future Pro Bowler in the back end of the defense. Las Vegas has struggled to replace Trevon Moehrig since his departure to Carolina a little over a year ago, and Stukes should slide in well to help anchor the back of an extremely young secondary. With current ongoing issues around guaranteed money in Taron Johnson’s contract, there’s a potential world as well where Stukes can align himself as the teams starting NCB, though I expect him to end up mainly at FS with a little movement towards SS, nickel linebacker, and nickel cornerback in different packages.
EDGE Keyron Crawford: Rotational EDGE rusher
2025: 12 Games (616 snaps) | 36 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks, INT, 2 PBU, FF, 43 pressures, 22 run stops, 12 QB hits, 16.8% pass rush win rate, 24.4% missed tackle rate
- The Raiders shocked many, myself included when they selected Crawford with a top 70 selection. Crawford slots into a rather deep rotation for the Raiders off the EDGE, though he’ll have a clear runway to getting playtime as well. Crawford is extremely twitched up, has elite quickness, his speed to power is impressive, and Crawford also needs to show some development with his pass rush technique he did have flashes as well of noticeable rip, swim, and chop moves. Malcolm Koonce projects to start opposite of Maxx Crosby, he came on strong at the end of 2025 season after a torn ACL in 2024. Additionally, Kwity Paye will see a high share of snaps though he’s a better run defender then pass rusher, but Paye may be able to unlock his pass rush abilities as a true rotational pass rusher more focused on situations. Crawford will see roughly 20-35% of the Raiders snaps as a pure pass rusher while he develops core traits, and gets stronger. I’d expect a strong season from Crawford than expected, and pending an injury he may end up playing more and getting his feet wet faster. Overall, Crawford projects as a very similar player to Malcolm Koonce, but I’d expect him to get more immediate playtime, and Crawford is farther along then Koonce was coming out of Buffalo.
OL Trey Zuhn III: Competition for Starting RT/G
2025: 13 games (776 snaps) | 2 sacks, hit, 10 pressures allowed, 1.5% pressure rate, 1 penalty
- Zuhn has been a primary LT with 3018 of his career 3151 snaps coming on the left side, and the other 129 coming at center. Zuhn has a massive frame at 6’6, 319 and the soon to be 24 year old, doesn’t really meet the overall length requirements to potentially be a starting T in the NFL. Zuhn is powerful, he’s an up and down blocker in the run and pass game, though he’s shown flashes overall. Zuhn had a dominant pass blocking season in 2025, his foot speed is quick, he’s powerful, and Zuhn shows good ability to move in space, with strong lower body athleticism. The Raiders are going to work Zuhn both at RT and inside at guard. The Raiders like the athletic profile, and his length concerns but good size may make him better on the interior. Overall, there’s likely 3 spots up for grabs on the Raiders offensive line between both guard spots & tackle, and Zuhn will have a chance to compete for all three. Assuming he doesn’t land a spot in 2026, he’ll be a key option to develop and land a spot in 2027.
CB Jermod McCoy: Competition for Starting CB
2025: DNP – Torn ACL
- McCoy fell to the 4th round following issues with his bone plug following knee surgery on the ACL. McCoy is an elite talent and he was projected as a top 15 pick prior to the extreme fall on his knee issues. McCoy has all the potential in the world, is an elite mover in space, has high end ball skills, can play physical, and does well in both man & zone coverage. McCoy is a strong tackler, and if his knee holds up there’s a real world for McCoy to end up as a potential DROY candidate and future Pro Bowler/All-Pro. While it’s been brief, McCoy has participated in the Raiders OTA’s, and Las Vegas seems comfortable about where his knee is at in terms of future surgery. Las Vegas has overturned their cornerback room heavily the last two seasons, with 2025 3rd rounder Darien Porter the likely starter opposite Eric Stokes, McCoy will need to push out Porter though I’d expect Las Vegas rotates both of them throughout the season. Additionally, fifth rounder Hezekiah Masses could push for more playtime, as could Dalton Johnson, and don’t overlook 2024 3rd rounder Decamerion Richardson.
RB Mike Washington Jr: Backup, Change of Pace RB
2025: 12 Games (571 snaps) | 167 attempts, 1070 yards (6.5 avg), 8 TD, 34 missed tackles forced, 3.86 yards/after contact per attempt, 28 receptions, 226 yards (8.1 avg), TD
- Klint Kubiak made a huge emphasis when he was initial hired on adding competition to the runningback room, while also having a second back to compliment Ashton Jeanty. Seattle saw Kenneth Walker post 1027 yards, 5 TD and see a total of 221 rushing attempts. Additionally, Zach Charbonnet had 184 attempts for 730 yards and 12 TD. The Raiders have Ashton Jeanty, who will see most of the playtime on third downs, and he will also have the majority of the rushing attempts as is. Washington isn’t nimble, he’s an exceptional straight line runner, and he’ll struggle to find lanes when they aren’t very present to him. Despite that, Washington has home run threat, he’s a massive back, and does well in short yardage situations while also having the true 4.32 speed. Washington has an ability to see 140-170 touches this season, similar to Charbonnet, though I’d expect Jeanty has more production than what Walker had in the regular season. Washington is an explosive runner, his receiving game is adequate, and he’s a good blocker so a large impact may come in short yardage, second downs, and possible receiving concepts overall to give Jeanty a rest.
SAF Dalton Johnson: Rotational DB
2025: 12 Games (771 snaps) | 97 tackles, 2 TFL, sack, 4 INT, 10 PBU, FR, FF, 13.5% missed tackle rate, 26 run stops, 55% reception rate (25/45), 206 yards, TD, 37.8 QBR allowed
- Johnson is a versatile defensive back, and I’d expect to see him push his way onto the field. While he’s not an elite athlete, Johnson has the ability to play nickel cornerback, nickel defender, free safety, and strong safety. Johnson has good instincts, he’s a strong run defender, and Johnson has good movement skills. The Raiders are going to be versatile in their secondary, and the defense overall, which will allow for Johnson the opportunity to push for a true third safety role with Las Vegas ahead of Isaiah Pola-Mao. If the Raiders truly have an issue with Taron Johnson, then I’d expect Dalton Johnson to also get playtime in the nickel, and he could start immediately should Johnson’s holdout extend to the point he’s losing quality snaps with the defense. The Raiders secondary is young, and Johnson’s going to be competing with Isaiah Pola-Mao & Taron Johnson at the same time, giving him a chance to find more ways on the field.
CB Hezekiah Masses: Rotational CB
2025: 13 Games (847 snaps) | 47 tackles, TFL, 5 INT, 13 PBU, 15.3% missed tackle rate, 14 run stops, 49% reception rate (30/61), 413 yards, 4 TD, 59 QBR allowed
- Masses has the chance to push his way onto the field immediately, while it may be tough for him to get towards a starting cornerback role, Masses has the traits to be a productive third or fourth cornerback immediately. He has exceptional ball skills with 7 interceptions and 28 pass breakups in his career. Additionally, Johnson has allowed just a 71.4 QBR across four seasons, and his best season came in 2025 with Cal where he logged a career high 5 interceptions & 13 PBU. The Raiders boundary cornerback room is fairly deep with young talent having the aforementioned Jermod McCoy, who when healthy is likely the starter opposite Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, and now Masses. McCoy and Stokes have injury concerns, and Masses could see a fair share of snaps given his experience, ball skills, and instincts. The learning curve for the Raiders DB may be steep at first adjusting to the NFL level, but ball skills and instincts translate immediately.
WR Malik Benson: Rotational WR
2025: 15 Games (533 snaps) | 43 rec, 719 yards (16.7 avg), 6 TD, 2.3% drop rate, 4.2 YAC/reception, 60% contested catch rate (6/10)
- Benson has a good frame at 6’1, 195 and he has elite true downfield speed with a 4.37 40. The Raiders WR room is rather interesting, 2025 draft selections Jack Bech (2nd), and Dont’e Thornton (4th) could be playmakers with Bech likely aligning himself as a possible starting option at X or Z. Bech lacks the true makeup of a X receiver, but he’s physical, able to work across the field in diverse packages, and also has good YAC skills. Free agent Jalen Nailor aligns in the slot, and I’d expect Tre Tucker to align as the Z receiver. Benson has quality traits, and he could be an option to push past Thornton. The soon-to-be 24 year old Benson has good speed, he’s an explosive playmaker, and his route running leaves room to be desired but did show flashes. While it’s unlikely that Benson will beat out Bech, Nailor, and/or Tucker I’d expect him to give a real shot for the fourth receiver option. Benson has a few things to clean up on his film, and while he’s never likely a starting receiver consistently, he can be a very consistent fourth player in the room.
NT Brandon Cleveland: Competition for Starting NT
2025: 13 Games (490 snaps) | 36 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 13 pressures, 5 QB hits, 21 run stops, 5.7% pass rush win rate, 8% missed tackle rate
- The Raiders have a three way competition for nose tackle, and could add a fourth if JJ Pegues is truly an option there as past experiences say he can be. Las Vegas signed free agent Benito Jones, who has experience with Rob Leonard, over 2000 snaps of NFL experience, and is an inconsistent pass rusher but has flashes. Additionally UDFA Gary Smith can be a possible option in the room, he’s stout, physical, and anchors well with no pass rush upside. Cleveland is the third man in the competition, though he’s likely sitting 2nd overall behind Jones. Cleveland is physical, exceptionally strong, and plays well vs the run. His hands are active, he’ll fire into the rep quickly, and has the physical makeup to consistently get into the backfield and defend the run well. Cleveland has a limited ceiling as nothing more than a 1-2 down nose tackle, his pass rush technique isn’t quite there at the NFL level, and he’s an average athlete. Overall, Cleveland will have a tough competition with Jones, if he wins he’ll be on the roster, and if he doesn’t I’d expect he lands on the practice squad if not claimed off waivers.
