The Raiders’ new look has already started to reveal a few unexpected winners.
Las Vegas entered 2026 with a reshaped roster and a different coaching staff, and training camp offered the first real glimpse of how some of those changes might play out. Then came the preseason opener at Allegiant Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals, where a loss still did plenty to reinforce what camp had hinted at: a few surprise performers are not just flashing in practice, they’re carrying that momentum into games.
Benson has been one of the clearest examples. He kept making the most of the extra chances he’s earned throughout camp, and his showing against Arizona only strengthened the case that he belongs in the conversation.
It’s been a strong start, but the bigger point is simple: he has to keep doing it. The opportunity in front of him is real, and the league changes quickly.
Jack Bech is another name that keeps coming up. The second-year wide receiver was expected to need more from him this season, and the Raiders’ offseason changes may have set him up to deliver it.
With an upgraded ground game, a new offensive staff, and a different quarterback situation, Bech’s path looks cleaner than it did a year ago. He also separated himself from Dont'e Thornton in what Kubiak described as a position battle during camp.
That carried into Thursday night, and Kubiak made it clear he noticed Bech’s growth.
“He's a guy that has been highlighted before in our team meetings as a guy that plays really well without the football, and just so happens that when the ball finds him, he goes and makes plays. I don't think that's an accident,” Kubiak said.
“I think that's the kind of guy that he is, the kind of teammate that he is. Was really proud of the contested plays and critical situation plays that he made last night.
So, that doesn't surprise me about Jack [Bech]. That's what his character is."
There’s also been production on the defensive front from players who aren’t the biggest offseason headlines. The Raiders added names like Kwity Paye and Keyron Crawford at defensive end and edge rusher, but Patrick Johnson and Cian Slone have been turning heads too. Both showed up in camp, and both followed it with strong work against the Cardinals.
Johnson finished with six tackles and a sack. Slone added three tackles and a sack. Those were the Raiders’ only two sacks of the night.
For a team that wants to make its living by pressuring quarterbacks and shutting down the run, that kind of output matters. Johnson and Slone could end up being useful rotational pieces who help keep the more established pass rushers fresh.
The next test comes in Texas, where the Raiders will hold a joint practice with the Houston Texans before meeting them in a preseason game two days later. Kubiak sees it as a valuable measuring stick, especially against a Texans team that made the playoffs last season.
“I'm really excited about next week, it's going to be extremely competitive. What a great defense that we're going to be going against, those pass rushers are impressive,” Kubiak said on Friday.
“Our offensive line is going to get some great work being out there in the heat. A different kind of heat will be a great challenge for us in our conditioning. This trip to Houston couldn't have come at a better time for our team."
In Other News...
Brock Bowers' Absence Just Put Raiders Fans On Edge
Brock Bowers was nowhere to be found at a recent Raiders practice, and the silence around it was almost as notable as the absence itself. The All-Pro tight end did not participate in the session, while Tonka Hemingway and Carter Runyon were also missing, leaving Las Vegas to shuffle extra reps to its other tight ends as camp work continued.
For a team that leans on Bowers as one of its most important pieces, any missed practice naturally draws a close look, especially after he was limited at points in his second season. The Raiders have not offered an injury designation or any explanation for why he sat out, which leaves a familiar kind of practice-day suspense hanging over a player fans are watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Overlooked Raiders Just Gave The Coaching Staff Early Roster Answers
The Raiders preseason opener against the Cardinals offered more than the usual first-game rust and rotation work. For a roster still sorting out the bottom half of the depth chart, a few under-the-radar performances stood out, especially along the line of scrimmage. Charles Grant, Atonio Mafi and Caleb Rogers all showed strong blocking effort, giving the staff a better look at who can handle the physical side of camp battles as the team keeps trimming the roster picture.
On the other side of the ball, Treven Ma'ae, Greedy Vance Jr., Cody Lindenberg and Dalton Johnson each made their presence felt with tackles and coverage work that can matter a lot in August. Even special teams got a small but meaningful answer, with long snapper Tyler Duzansky turning in a solid outing and grading higher than his competition. None of it guarantees anything this early, but it does give Las Vegas some early clues about which overlooked players are making a legitimate case to stick around. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Mayer Could Be The Raiders Answer On Offense
Michael Mayers first preseason look in 2026 offered another reminder of why the Raiders have been so intrigued by his fit in the offense. The tight end flashed as a receiver in the opener, and with Las Vegas now bringing in veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, the passing game has a chance to look more stable around him.
Mayer is expected to be part of a two-headed tight end attack with Brock Bowers, giving the Raiders a pair of capable options in a scheme that still wants to lean on a physical run game. For a team looking to build something more balanced and dependable, that kind of usage could turn Mayer into a much bigger piece of the offense than he has been in previous stretches. [Read more 🡒]