The Las Vegas Raiders lost their first preseason game of the season by a score of 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. Wins and losses don’t matter this time of year as much as evaluating young players, though.
With how young the Raiders' squad is heading into the 2026 NFL season, these games are crucial in seeing development. The 2025 draft class, outside of Ashton Jeanty, was a disappointing in Year 1 for most of Raider Nation.
So, the pressure is on this class to show why John Spytek saw them as players he believed in. Those players put together performances that suggested last season might have been a coaching problem rather than a lack of talent.
2025 Draft class puts on a show for Raider Nation in preseason opener
One of the players facing criticism was Jack Bech. Bech wasn’t creating a ton of buzz during training camp, and fans believed he was falling on the depth chart. He answered with three receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown, with all three coming on third down.
Bech displayed his ability to separate and be a sure target in big situations. However, it wasn’t just catching the ball; it was his blocking presence as well. He appears to be a staple when the Raiders go into 11 personnel, as he effectively becomes an extra tight end.
Charles Grant also showed that he is the future at left tackle behind Kolton Miller. Fans are even clamoring for him to have a chance on the right side to challenge DJ Glaze right now. Grant had the block of the day to spring Mike Washington Jr. for a 53-yard run.
Grant finished with an elite run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. He was consistently getting push in the run game with angry blocks as well. In pass protection, he did give up a pressure, but he looked clean on most of his reps.
A player who didn't play a single snap on defense in 2025 appeared ready to leap: seventh-round pick Cody Lindenberg. He was all over the field, finishing with two run stops, according to PFF. His stock will continue to rise with the coaching staff.
Caleb Rogers didn’t give up a pressure on the day and outplayed Jackson Powers-Johnson as well. He is in a battle with the former second-round pick for the starting spot. It will be a battle all the way to the end of the preseason.
Ashton Jeanty was Ashton Jeanty, running well in limited snaps. Tonka Hemingway and Darien Porter didn’t have their best days, but the rest of the class has fans excited for the future. If the class can leap this year, it can help the Raiders surprise the NFL.
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