The Raiders selected Cal CB Hezekiah Masses with the 175th overall selection, adding another player to their secondary with Jermod McCoy, Treydan Stukes, and Dalton Johnson already being added to the Las Vegas secondary. The Raiders are clearly making it a priority to add to a secondary that lacked talent, depth, and youth. Masses provides a highly instinctual, pass game focused cornerback, that can help add depth but should also force his way into play time.
Introduction:
Age: 21 (turns 22 in July) Height: 6’1
Weight: 1 Stats: 152 tackles, 6 TFL, 7 INT (2 TD), 25 PBU, 2 FR, FF, 12.8% missed tackle rate | 50.4% reception rate allowed (98/195), 1185 yards, 10 TD, 71.4 QBR allowed
- Allowed just 44%, 370 yards, and 2 TD in 2026 with 5 INT, 13 PBU
Positional Splits:
- Boundary CB: 2477 snaps
- SS: 232 snaps
- NCB: 55 snaps
RAS Testing:
- 4.45 40 (1.57 10-split), 31.5 Vert, 9’11 Broad, 4.51 Shuttle, 7.31 3-Cone | 3.45 RAS Score
Positives:
Masses is young, and he’s highly experienced despite only being 21 years old. He is coming off his best season, and his first season at Cal where he logged 5 INT, and 13 PBU while being named an All-American. Additionally, he saw improvements as a tackler, and consistently gets better as he’s seen more time in college. Masses does best in man, but can work in zone as well with his instincts, length, and reaction skills. Masses does well to read and react to the quarterback, uses his length well to his advantage, and does a good job closing passing lanes to make a play on the ball which was seen heavily in 2025. Masses will consistently work to break on concepts reading in zone, or undercut to make a play on the ball. He gets his hands in well to knock the ball out, and Masses likes to play aggressive at the catch point. He has fluid hips, clean footwork, and doesn’t have any wasted movements. He takes good tackling angles, though the form needs improvement, but the angles and willingness are key to developing better skills at the NFL level. Masses plays patient, he’ll react well, and he reads the ball incredibly well over the top with a good ability to high point and come down with a play. Masses contributes on special teams with a FF, blocked kick, and 11 tackles in three seasons. He plays well throughout his frame, can turn and run well, and his third gear/long speed does show, but it lacks the initial burst.
Weakness:
Masses has a lot to work on, but the traits are also present. He wants to be physical, but lacks strength, though his wiry frame can hold that length. He’ll need to do better jabbing off the LOS, and working to stay physical through the route, but adding strength can do that. Masses also needs to turn down the grabbing through the route, where he’ll get flagged including 14 in the last two seasons with 8 in 2025. Masses struggles to tackle due to low strength, and he likes to ankle bite which causes him to simply just miss the tackle. I’d like to see him try and be less “bait the QB” approached, which he’ll do to create a turnover, but he’ll also get targeted and allow a big play. Masses can get beaten with double moves & with play action where he’ll bite down and give up a hole shot to the boundary. Masses needs to refine his game in a few areas, but mentally and physically the traits are there, learning how to apply them, adapt to the NFL, and also stay consistent is key.
Recap:
Masses is experienced, and he’s just turning 22. He has length, size, and instincts which can’t be taught. Masses is a limited athlete at times, though he’s fluid, just not overly explosive. He’ll get beaten off his first step, doesn’t have great recovery speed but can make a play downfield on the ball when he’s able to turn and run. Masses may fight his way into the CB rotation quickly banking on his instincts, which as you can tell is a common trend for the Raiders under Rob Leonard. Masses has the ability to develop into a starting CB, he’ll need to be refined, and coaching will be crucial, but Las Vegas is adding depth and upside with Masses. You can’t teach his mentality, and you can’t teach instincts, if there’s a 5th rounder I’d bank on having a long career it’s Masses.
Pro Comp: Ahkello Witherspoon
Ceiling: Starting Boundary CB
Floor: ST gunner
Consensus: 164th
