Writing off the Las Vegas Raiders' 2025 NFL Draft class after just one season would be premature, lazy and a proclomation made while missing plenty of context and nuance. And Jack Bech's showing in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals is early proof of that.
Pete Carroll and his coaching staff didn't put an emphasis on teaching these young players the ropes, nor giving them much of an opportunity to figure it out for themselves, as the Raiders barely played their rookie class in a season in which they won a single game between Weeks 1 and 18.
While Bech came into the 2026 NFL season under a new coach with the right approach, early reports indicated that he was struggling this offseeason, making fans question if he could carve out a role. It became rather obvious last Thursday, however, that Bech is more than capable of being an asset.
The second-year wideout from TCU made a big statement with his back up against the wall.
Raiders' Jack Bech impressed in more ways than one during preseason opener
Looking at the box score tells part of the story for Bech, as he caught three passes for 25 yards and a touchdown, the first of his NFL career, preseason or regular season. That is an impressive showing in just 22 offensive snaps for the young wideout, and an important one with his role in doubt.
However, Bech's impact went way beyond what one can see on the stat sheet. All three of his catches came in crucial situations, as one was a contested grab on third down, another was for a critical third-down conversion in the red zone, and the final was on a third-down near the goal line for a score.
Making catches is one thing, but being a player whom the coaches and the quarterback, whether it be Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza, can rely on in key situations is massive for him. It's a big signal that this coaching staff and team trust him in big moments, and Bech delivered in the opener.
Not only that, but Bech did incredible work as a run blocker. He sprung Mike Washington Jr.'s 53-yard run by popping a defensive back and paving a lane, and he finished with an 86.1 run-blocking grade from PFF, which was the third-best on the Raiders and the best among non-offensive linemen.
Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor are penciled in as starters for Las Vegas at wide receiver, but the next man up is very much in question. Malik Benson had a strong showing, but he didn't perform as well as Bech. In fact, no receiver did; Bech was the Raiders' best wideout last Thursday in an overall sense.
To be entirely honest, this performance was a bit of a surprise to fans after Bech had a quiet training camp. But it sounds like his strong outing didn't come as a shock to those who have been working with him, as Kubiak noted during his post-game press conference.
"He stepped up [and] had an excellent game. He really has had an impressive camp as far as just being a guy that's continually straining and getting better and hasn't had all the ops in practice and then he came out tonight and was ready to roll. So, I was happy but not surprised with what he did tonight."
Kirk Cousins echoed Kubiak's sentiment in the same media availability.
"I don't think the ball has found him as much in practice as we would have liked," Cousins admitted. "What I've noticed of Jack [Bech] is very strong hands, and as a quarterback, there's going to be tight coverage in this league, and you need people who, with someone right on them, can still go grab the football. That's what the great receivers I've played with have been able to do, and Jack has that trait. And so, he showed it again tonight. And part of the reason I felt I could put it on him is because I knew Jack's going to be like a power forward with an entry pass there. Even though the DBs coming, he's going to have strong hands and bring the ball in and hold on. He has a play strength that I really like, and it gives me confidence to drill the ball on him, knowing that he can make those plays."
It goes beyond what Bech showed on the field during the match against the Cardinals, though. The second-year receiver is impressing everyone in the building with his selflessness and his ability to make an impact, even if he's not getting the ball or the glory.
"He's a guy that has been highlighted before in our team meetings as a guy that plays really well without the football," Kubiak told reporters on Friday morning. "And [it] just so happens that when the ball finds him, he goes and makes plays. I don't think that's an accident. I think that's the kind of guy that he is, the kind of teammate that he is. Was really proud of the contested plays and critical situation plays that he made last night. So, that doesn't surprise me about Jack [Bech]. That's what his character is."
With his back against the wall, Bech showed out. Now, there is a bit of pressure on him to continue his high level of play throughout the preseason and to carry that into the regular season, where he can be an asset for the Raiders' offense in more ways than one.
Based on how he has attacked past challenges, Bech should be just fine.
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