Roster cutdown day is upon us, and the Las Vegas Raiders are going into it with a distinct advantage as the first team in the waiver order. That could mean that several players on the roster bubble are simply released or waived in favor of external talent being added into the picture.
As far as the Raiders' rookie class is concerned, many of them have already secured spots on the 53-man team with strong play in training camp and the preseason. However, several of them are still contending for a roster spot or vying for a bigger role.
So, let's take a look at where the rookie stock report has changed since last week, just ahead of cutdowns. And for fun, we'll throw in a prediction about each of the players selected by Las Vegas in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well as a pair of notable UDFAs.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie stock report after second preseason game vs. Texans
Fernando Mendoza, QB
Mendoza wasn't bad in the preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, but he wasn't exactly lights out, either. He threw another interception and only led one scoring drive (Matt Gay missed a field goal on another). Mendoza isn't going to start, so his stock remains down for the time being, even though he still looks like a franchise quarterback for the Silver and Black.
Verdict:Â Stock Down
Prediction: Mendoza takes over before the halfway mark in the season.
Treydan Stukes, DB
Stukes was treated like the starting free safety in the last exhibition game, and it looks more and more likely that he'll be out there to kick things off in Week 1. Not only does he look more comfortable, but the whole unit looked better with him helping out Jeremy Chinn on the back side.
Verdict:Â Stock Up
Prediction: Stukes is in the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Keyron Crawford, DE
Crawford was actually having his best preseason game yet, but he left early with an ankle injury, and it is unknown what the prognosis is. He could potentially be headed for an IR stint, hopefully not a season-ending one. Balancing these two realities, Crawford's stock remains neutral.
Verdict:Â Stock Neutral
Prediction: Crawford is placed on IR and spends most of the season effectively redshirting.
Trey Zuhn III, OL
Zuhn III finally got some work at center in the preseason finale, and he fared much better than he did at right tackle against the Houston Texans. Based on how low his stock fell last week, it's back up again, even if he is penciled in as a backup to begin the year.
Verdict:Â Stock Up
Prediction: Zuhn III starts more than 5 games this season.
Jermod McCoy, CB
McCoy stacked another solid performance against the 49ers, but both the team and fanbase are still waiting for that splash moment to let everyone know that he's arrived. Maybe McCoy will still rotate in early, but he's certainly not in the conversation to be the starter opposite Eric Stokes.
Verdict:Â Stock Neutral
Prediction: By the end of the year, McCoy takes on a larger role and is borderline CB2.
Mike Washington Jr., RB
Washington Jr. looked just as dominant and comfortable with the first-team offense as he did with the 2s. This young player looks to be a star in the making, and with Ashton Jeanty's injury potentially keeping him sidelined, Washington Jr. should have a big opportunity early in his rookie year.
Verdict:Â Stock Up
Prediction: Washington Jr. runs for over 600 yards as a rookie.
Dalton Johnson, SAF
Johnson saved his worst preseason performance for last, but he'll still make this roster with flying colors. It seems like the Raiders are challenging him to be both a versatile safety and a nickel, which means they must think highly of him. Special teams is where he'll make most of his impact this year.
Verdict:Â Stock Down
Prediction: Johnson is a core special teamer for the Raiders.
Zeke Masses, CB
Masses continues to show that his tough debut was the exception, not the rule. It doesn't seem like he'll dethrone Darien Porter for the second starting cornerback job, but he should be a significant piece in the rotation as Las Vegas continues to sort out that battle throughout the year.
Verdict:Â Stock Up
Prediction: Masses still starts a handful of games for Las Vegas early in the year.
Malik Benson, WR
Benson is a promising player, but he clearly still has a long way to go. Between the Raiders likely scanning for wide receiver help and him struggling this preseason, Benson may get buried on the depth chart a bit more than fans expected him to early in training camp.
Verdict:Â Stock Down
Prediction: Benson makes more of an impact on special teams than offense as a rookie.
Brandon Cleveland, DT
Cleveland had his best game of the preseason against San Francisco, but it may be too little too late for him. Between arriving late to the party and not being much of a factor on special teams, it is hard to see how Cleveland makes the 53-man roster.
Verdict:Â Stock Up
Prediction: Cleveland is left off the 53-man roster but returns to the practice squad.
Cian Slone, DE
Slone did not bring his best stuff in the last exhibition game. But Crawford's injury and potential IR stint pave the way for him to still make the roster, as the Raiders may no longer have to choose between him and veteran Patrick Johnson.
Verdict:Â Stock Down
Prediction: Slone sneaks onto the 53-man roster if Crawford goes to IR.
Roman Hemby, RB
Hemby still didn't get many touches in the preseason finale, so it's tough to assess him. He made two nice grabs but only had two carries for four yards, which isn't the kind of showing Hemby needed to make this roster in what is suddenly a crowded running back room.
Verdict:Â Stock Neutral
Prediction: Hemby is waived and claimed by another team.
Add us as a preferred source on Google