Raiders Rookies Earn High Praise for Strong Early Impact

Raiders 2026: Insider analysis—rookies earn high praise for major early impact, fueling Vegas’s momentum in the first six games.

Fernando Mendoza | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) will host the Los Angeles Rams (2-4) at Allegiant Stadium this weekend.

This season's early storyline has been the overachieving rebuilding Raiders and their impressive rookies.

Fernando Mendoza | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Despite the No. 1 overall pick that had NFL executives calling him the best QB prospect in the past four drafts, Fernando Mendoza, sitting on the bench, the Raiders' freshman class is making moves.

In fact, the narrative has focused more on high-priced veterans who have struggled than on rookies.

Let’s dig in.

Treydan Stukes | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

The 2026 NFL Draft Class

When the 2026 NFL Draft wrapped up, the Raiders selected ten players.

In case you don’t remember, here they are:

NAME	POSITION	SELECTED	WHERE ARE THEY?
FERNANDO MENDOZA	QB	RD 1, #1	53-MAN ROSTER
TREYDAN STUKES	S	RD 2, #38	53-MAN ROSTER
KEYRON CRAWFORD	DE	RD 3, #67	INJURED RESERVE
TREY ZUHN III	OL	RD 3, #91	53-MAN ROSTER
JERMOD MCCOY	CB	RD 4, #101	53-MAN ROSTER
MIKE WASHINGTON JR.	RB	RD 4, #122	53-MAN ROSTER
DALTON JOHNSON	S	RD 5, #150	53-MAN ROSTER
HEZEKIAH MASSES	CB	RD 5, #175	53-MAN ROSTER
MALIK BENSON	WR	RD 6, #195	53-MAN ROSTER
BRANDON CLEVELAND	DT	RD 7, #229	PRACTICE SQUAD

Praise for the Raiders Rookies

Hezekiah Masses | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Justin Melo is our NFL Draft expert On SI, and he recently did a deep dive into all 32 NFL teams, evaluating how each team’s rookie class is doing.

He ranked the Raiders’ class No. 3 overall, and even the biggest hater of the Silver and Black couldn’t argue with his case.

Despite multiple players making significant contributions on game day, the Raiders have an astonishing 17 rookies in the building.

Malik Benson | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Eight are on the 53-man roster, two are on injured reserve, and seven are on the practice squad.

That many rookies in the building for Klint Kubiak’s first campaign is nothing short of extraordinary.

Where Are the Rest?

With eight of the ten draft picks on the 53-man roster, one injured reserve, and one on the practice squad, where are the other seven undrafted rookies?

NAME	POSITON	WHERE ARE THEY AT?
JUSTIN PICKETT	GUARD	INJURED RESERVE
PATRICK GURD	TIGHT END	PRACTICE SQUAD
ROMAN HEMBY	RUNNING BACK	PRACTICE SQUAD
NIKLAS HENNING	OFFENSIVE TACKLE	PRACTICE SQUAD
TIM KEENAN III	DEFENSIVE TACKLE	PRACTICE SQUAD
KANSEI MATSUZAWA	KICKER	PRACTICE SQUAD
CIAN SLONE	DEFENISVE END	PRACTICE SQUAD

Kubiak Is Not Surprised

Along with GM John Spytek and his amazing staff of Brian Stark, Brandon Hunt, Brandon Yeargan, and a myriad of others, Klint Kubiak and his staff also had a significant part in this rookie class. While none of them will pat themselves on the back, they deserve it.

Kubiak understands what this class means foundationally for the franchise and what it means right now. I asked him about them today.

Klint Kubiak | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

"Yes, a lot of key contributors and guys that we're still counting on. I think that's a big part of being successful in the NFL is getting your young guys to play early, and credit to John Spytek for the young men that he's brought in, not only as good players, but guys that are team-oriented individuals that are about the Raider Way."

"So, they just have to keep developing. And young guys, they have setbacks too. You have a good game, okay, you get beat, and now you just keep competing. That's the league. It's the most competitive business that I know, and that's what makes it the most rewarding."

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