The Las Vegas Raiders are in the final week of training camp for what’s expected to be a rebuilding year/season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at where the Raiders’ 2026 NFL draft class stands on the depth chart since the Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins is right around the corner.
QB Fernando Mendoza
Klint Kubiak has made it pretty clear that he wants Kirk Cousins to begin the campaign as the starting quarterback in Las Vegas, and that hasn’t changed in training camp. Reportedly, Mendoza has had reps
with the first-string offense but has primarily been working with the second team over the summer. As expected with a rookie quarterback at this stage, camp reports note a mix of good and bad practices, and that he’s even fluctuated throughout the day on occasion.
In other words, there’s been no indication that the Raiders are going to deviate from their original plan of easing Mendoza into the NFL.
DB Treydan Stukes
The playmaking ability Stukes displayed in his final season at Arizona hasn’t shown up in Las Vegas yet. He’s been solid but nothing spectacular in camp, and that was the case in the first preseason game. Granted, the coaching staff has admitted that they’ve thrown a lot at the second-round pick, and he’s getting comfortable at a new position after primarily being a nickelback in college. Also, he had a solid outing in Houston.
Stukes has reportedly been getting more reps in practice with the first-team defense lately, but it still seems like he’s firmly behind Isaiah Pola-Mao for the starting free safety job.
EDGE Keyron Crawford
An injury held Crawford back a bit, sidelining him for a few practices at the beginning of training camp. But he’s healthy now, and from the sounds of it, he’s made a few splash plays here and there. However, edge is the deepest position group on the Raiders’ roster, and undrafted rookie Cian Slone has caught the coaching staff’s eye. Baring a roster shake-up before cutdown day, Crawford will likely spend this season behind Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce. And the Auburn product will have to fend off Slone from creeping up on the depth chart.
OL Trey Zuhn III
At the beginning of training camp, it felt like every report I read had Zuhn playing a different position from one day to the next. It seems like he’s settled in at right tackle more recently, though, where he could push DJ Glaze for a starting spot. However, Glaze has been the starter all summer, and it appears as if the Texas A&M product will begin the regular season as a versatile backup who could fill in if anyone is struggling or injured.
On that note, Jackson Powers-Johnson’s recent injury could open up another opportunity for Zuhn to see the field in year one if Caleb Rogers isn’t getting the job done.
CB Jermod McCoy
The hopes of McCoy pushing Darien Porter for a starting spot right away never came to fruition. The Raiders had the fourth-round pick on a pitch count during the spring practices and the beginning of camp, making it difficult to climb up the depth chart quickly. Plus, the emergence of fellow rookie corner Hezekiah Masses hasn’t helped McCoy’s cause.
However, beat writers have noted that he’s been getting some run with the starters more recently. From the sounds of it, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Tennessee product doesn’t get much playing time early in the year, and instead will be a prime candidate to get more opportunities in the second half of the season.
RB Mike Washington Jr.
Outside of maybe Mendoza, no rookie has fulfilled the “meets expectations” criterion for me more than Washington so far. The Arkansas product does appear to have a strong role in Kubiak’s offense, which could grow depending on if or how long Ashton Jeanty has time at the beginning of the season. Plus, Washington’s first two preseason games highlighted the home-run hitting style of back that he is, with five carries and 53 and 33 yards.
S Dalton Johnson
There hasn’t been much chatter about Johnson in camp, as he doesn’t appear to be standing out in either direction. That’s fine for a fifth-round pick, as he’ll probably contribute the most on special teams and serve as a versatile backup in the secondary this season. But both Jeremy Chinn and Pola-Mao are entering contract years, allowing the Arizona product to learn this year and potentially compete for a bigger role in 2027.
CB Hezekiah Masses
As referenced above, Masses started hot with strong performances in OTAs, minicamp and the beginning of training camp to be a surprise contender for a starting job. However, he seems to have cooled off more recently, highlighted by a tough outing in the Raiders’ first preseason game.
The coaching staff has been experimenting with ways to get Eric Stokes, Porter and Masses on the field at the same time, reportedly giving the rookie a shot at nickel corner. He may not fit that role, but it sounds like the Cal product will at least be the first cornerback off the bench in year one, especially if Porter isn’t getting the job done.
WR Malik Benson
Benson has been turning heads in camp, wisely establishing a connection/chemsitry with Mendoza and pushing Jack Bech for the third wide receiver role. But the sixth-rounder has reportedly been working with the second-team offense primarily, only receiving a significant amount of snaps with the starters when Jalen Nailor was sidelined. So, it seems like Bech has the upper hand for the job, but Benson will likely begin the campaign as WR4 and a special-teamer. That’s good value in year one for a late Day 3 pick.
DT Brandon Cleveland
It wouldn’t surprise me if Cleveland gets cut and spends 2027 on the practice squad. There’s been little to no buzz about him in camp while the defense needs a defensive tackle to step up against the run. The NC State product has that type of skill set, but he hasn’t proven to be a diamond in the rough yet. At this rate, even if the seventh-round pick makes the team, one has to imagine he’ll be a healthy scratch on gamedays to begin the campaign.
