What is the story about?
A
leak of the top 100 rookies in Madden 27 was recently released, and the Las Vegas Raiders featured four of their rookies inside the top 100 including their entire day one and two selections, along with 4th rounder Jermod McCoy.
Treydan Stukes – 76 overall (22nd)
- Stukes, the Raiders early 2nd round pick, ranks as the 3rd safety just behind Caleb Downs (82nd overall) and Dillon Thieneman (77 overall). The Raiders rookie is slated to be a starter at free safety for the Raiders this season, and he figures to be a longterm playmaker in the backend of the secondary for Las Vegas. The Raiders viewed Stukes as a capable nickel corner and safety hybrid, and he’ll rotate in the Raiders secondary heavily this season along with his former teammate Dalton Johnson who the Raiders selected in the 5th round.
Keyron Crawford – 75 overall (38th)
- A key note of Madden ratings comes with positional ratings, Crawford ranks higher than Mendoza largely due to Madden’s logic on athleticism pushing players up the board in ratings. Crawford, the Raiders 67th overall selection ranks as the 11th rookie EDGE rusher behind David Bailey (81), Rueben Bain (80), Akheem Mesidor (79), Derrick Moore (77), Cashius Howell (77), TJ Parker (77), R Mason Thomas (77), Zion Young (76) , Gabe Jacas (76), and Romello Height (75) with Arvell Reese ranking as a 79 overall. Crawford is likely to see limited snaps this season due to the Raiders depth at EDGE, but Crawford will see the field in core rotational snaps and clear pass rush situations to give him the chance at developing. The 21 year old is an elite athlete, and has raw technique, but a massive runway to success.
Fernando Mendoza – 74 overall (50th)
- Madden has historically ranked rookie quarterbacks lower than you’d expect with Cam Ward a 72 overall, CJ Stroud 73, and he has the same overall as Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Bryce Young while behind Caleb Williams’ 76 overall. Mendoza ranks as the first overall quarterback in the class, and the Raiders will be expecting to see Mendoza possibly start this season. The first overall pick is coming off a stellar season in his only year at Indiana, and the Heisman trophy winner has a chance to become the Raiders franchise quarterback with time, development, and the right offensive coaching.
Jermod McCoy – 74 overall (50th)
- McCoy ranks as the 4th cornerback behind Mansoor Delane (79), Chris Johnson (76), Colton Hood (75), and Avieon Terrell (75). McCoy was notably a projected top 10 pick prior to an issue with his ACL reconstruction, and bone plug resulting in him falling to the first pick in the 4th round. The Raiders are projecting to have McCoy as one of their starting cornerbacks opposite of Eric Stokes, but McCoy will also compete with fellow rookie Hezekiah Masses, and 2025 3rd rounder Darien Porter. McCoy ranking as the 4th cornerback is shocking, but not off the path with Madden’s ratings off draft boards. The Raiders are hoping that McCoy can be a staple of the Raiders secondary, especially after logging a top ten talent on the start of day three.
Trey Zuhn III – 73 (65th)
- Slightly shocking, Zuhn finds his way into the top of the rookie classes ranking behind fellow offensive lineman Spencer Fano (78), Ola Ioane (78), Francis Mauigoa (78), Kadyn Proctor (77), Caleb Lomu (75), Monroe Freeling (75), Blake Miller (75), Chase Bisontis (75), Jake Slaughter (74), and Keylan Rutledge (74). Raiders 2nd year guard Caleb Rogers came into the NFL as a 71 overall, before finishing the season as a 70 overall, while Charles Grant remained a 70 overall across the season. Zuhn is expected to compete for the Raiders LG/RG position, while also likely adding depth at tackle with the ability to spot start if needed, and he provides depth at center. The Texas A&M standout is an elite athlete, good pass protector, and shows decent upside to develop into a starter down the line.
