The first three Raiders training camp practices are already in the books, and while the big takeaways have centered on Fernando Mendoza, Maxx Crosby and the sudden buzz around Zeke Masses, a few smaller details from Las Vegas have been easy to miss.
One of the quieter developments has been Brandon Johnson making himself noticeable at wide receiver. He came into town mid-summer with little attention, but he has put together a couple of strong showings.
Johnson was again praised on Day 2 for a solid practice while building chemistry with Mendoza with the second unit, and he added a diving catch on Thursday. In a room that has lacked much pop so far, that kind of steady flash has caught the staff’s eye.
On defense, Rob Leonard let a key job detail slip when he said Nakobe Dean will handle the mike linebacker role and wear the green dot for the Raiders in 2026. Quay Walker and Dean both arrived with experience as mike linebackers and play-call communicators, but Leonard made it clear Dean is the one taking on that responsibility here.
"Command. Confidence," Leonard said.
"[Dean will say], 'Robbie, get out of my huddle. I got it.'
I want to get up in there and start up, but that's not reality of how the game's played. Just leadership.
It feels good to have that at the mike linebacker."
Walker addressed the change as well, saying it will be different not having the green dot, but not necessarily a bad thing since he’ll have less on his plate. He’ll still help with communication, but Dean will have the gren dot distinction.
There’s also been a careful rollout for Jermod McCoy. He has not yet gotten a crack with the first-team defense, even though the Raiders keep rotating that second corner spot opposite Eric Stokes.
McCoy has looked good with the second and third units, but the team wants to see how his knee responds before giving him more. The Athletic’s Sam Warren also noted that McCoy took part in special teams drills on Friday and had return work earlier in the week.
If he isn’t going to be a major part of the cornerback rotation, Las Vegas is clearly trying to give him another lane to matter.
The fullback competition has been more active than people might expect, too. Connor Heyward has been used plenty this week, both as a blocker for Ashton Jeanty and as a pass catcher, while Patrick Gurd has rotated in behind him. Kubiak said he likes what he has seen from Heyward, but the job is still open.
"I think your fullback has to be one of your smartest players on the team. For us to be able to block the two-back run game and block the drop-back protections, and to play all the special teams, you’ve got to be in great shape and you’ve got to be really smart.
Connor's made a really good first impression, and Patrick Gurd is pushing him as well. Love the competition there.”
And then there was a small but notable look at Decamerion Richardson with the first team. Warren reported that Richardson got reps with the 1s on Wednesday alongside Stokes, Masses and Darien Porter. It apparently didn’t last long, since he was flagged for pass interference on Tre Tucker and hasn’t been mentioned with that group again.
Still, that kind of shuffle is exactly what happens this time of year. Training camp is for testing ideas, and the Raiders are clearly doing plenty of that already.
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