Before the Las Vegas Raiders kick off for the preseason, it's a good time to check in on their rookies. Since the spring, the team's incoming group has made some strides. Although their 2026 NFL Draft class doesn't have a surefire starter yet, several could challenge for lead roles in the coming weeks.
Las Vegas has its first test against the Arizona Cardinals. Next week, the club will have joint practices with the Houston Texans, who will field one of the league's best defenses again this year. Then, the Silver and Black will host the San Francisco 49ers in its final preseason outing.
Based on reports from training camp, here's a Raiders rookie ranking, highlighting the five most impressive players based on their short-term outlooks ahead of the regular season.
5 Raiders stood out in a 10-player rookie class, and they're all trending in the right direction
5. OL Trey Zuhn III
Trey Zuhn III will probably open the 2026 NFL season in a backup role, but he could be the primary fill-in at right guard, right tackle or center, where he's taken a notable number of practice reps.
Remember, Zuhn played left tackle at Texas A&M, so he's juggling a few new positions. Yet the Raiders listed him as the No. 2 right tackle on their unofficial depth chart for Thursday's preseason game.
If three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum misses time or the team benches right tackle DJ Glaze for poor performance, Zuhn could see the field.
Thus far, it seems that Zuhn has handled cross-training at multiple spots well through the first couple of weeks of training camp. He'll likely line up at two or three different positions in the exhibition games.
4. DB Treydan Stukes
Treydan Stukes opened training camp on the second-team defense, though according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden, he's recently mixed in with the first-stringers.
"Stukes, the team's second-round pick, has come alive as of late. The safety has been getting more snaps with the first team and has begun to make more plays on the field."
Heading into Week 1 of the preseason, Stukes isn't a probable starter anymore, but the rookie Day 2 pick has plenty of time to work his way into a lead role. But for now, Stukes is behind safeties Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao on the unofficial depth chart.
He only played 39 snaps at free safety in college, per Pro Football Focus. With that in mind, the Arizona product may be eased into a role in center field if Pola-Mao's struggles in coverage carry over from the previous season.
McFadden noted that Taron Johnson has taken reps at safety as well. He could be an option to replace Pola-Mao in certain packages, which would open up a spot for Stukes in the slot, his primary position over the last three years.
3. QB Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza has made his fair share of mistakes, but he's learned from them.
Last week, head coach Klint Kubiak kept Kirk Cousins out of practice because of his dust-up with edge-rusher Maxx Crosby. According to The Athletic's Sam Warren, Mendoza found his rhythm after a slow start with the first-team offense.
"Mendoza started a bit slow but got better as practice progressed. Had a few TDs in red zone, goal line drill."
Kubiak told reporters that Mendoza could get snaps with the starting offensive line in the preseason. It's a reasonable plan because the Raiders don't want to see their No. 1 overall pick behind backup offensive linemen for extensive periods.
Mendoza has shown promise through ups and downs, but two other rookies have consistently stood out at practices.
2. WR Malik Benson
Malik Benson was one of the stars at training camp. He had highlight catches that will excite you, but the rookie sixth-rounder maintained his humility at the podium on Tuesday.
“I just try to focus on my job and let everything else come with it.”
The Raiders listed Benson as a backup wide receiver on their unofficial depth chart, though it's important to note that he's already above Phillip Dorsett II, Shedrick Jackson and Deven Thompkins, who all have experience in the league.
If Benson shows out in the preseason, he should leapfrog Dont'e Thornton Jr., who's had a quiet camp and recently suffered an injury that's kept him out of practice. The Oregon product could play his way into a featured role in three-receiver sets if 2025 second-rounder Jack Bech doesn't stand out in the next few weeks.
1. CB Hezekiah Masses
Masses is the only rookie who has consistently practiced with the starters. He's a top contender in the competition for the No. 2 cornerback spot.
For most of training camp, Masses and Darien Porter have rotated opposite lead cornerback Eric Stokes. According to McFadden, the Raiders even experimented with Porter on the boundary and Masses in the slot as a way to play all of them at once.
The coaching staff may try to tap into Masses' versatility to get him on the field even if Porter earns the starting job, which would be a fair consolation prize for the impressive fifth-rounder.
In his final collegiate campaign, Masses recorded 13 pass breakups and five interceptions as a starter at California. If he puts his ball skills on full display during the preseason, the Raiders must find a spot for him in the secondary, on the outside or in nickel packages.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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