The Raiders are heading into 2026 with a roster that still looks young, and that’s by design. General manager John Spytek has taken a measured approach to the rebuild, building toward what he sees a few years down the line. That means this draft class should have plenty of chances to get on the field, and some of those rookies could wind up in starting roles before the season is over.
Fernando Mendoza, the first-overall quarterback, will likely take over at some point. But beyond the quarterback spot, there are a few other first-year players who could force their way into major snaps in 2026.
Treydan Stukes looks like the easiest name to circle. The Arizona defensive back could open the season as the Week 1 starter at safety, and he also projects as the long-term answer at nickel, where Taron Johnson currently starts. After a strong training camp and preseason, the Raiders apparently decided Stukes was too good to keep parked on the sideline.
His game gives defensive coordinator Rob Leonard options. Stukes can help in coverage and against the run, and that kind of versatility matters when a rookie is trying to carve out a real role. He has the look of a player who can make an immediate impact, and he is my personal dark-horse pick to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
On the offensive line, Zuhn brings a different kind of value. A third-round pick who can play all five spots up front is exactly the sort of piece a team wants to keep around. He has the functional athleticism, quickness, football intelligence, and movement skills to handle left tackle through right tackle at a sufficient level.
That kind of flexibility becomes even more important when injuries hit, and they always do along the offensive line. The Raiders would love for their front to stay intact, but if it doesn’t, Zuhn figures to be one of the first names called. That makes him an easy fit here.
Then there’s McCoy, the fourth-round cornerback the Raiders are easing in carefully because he hasn’t played football in almost two years. That slow build makes sense, especially for a player who was considered a top cornerback prospect before the draft.
The Raiders are going to want to find out what they have in their young cornerbacks as the season unfolds. If McCoy keeps progressing and shows what he can do later in the year, his talent may simply be too much to leave on the sideline. He’s one of the most gifted players in the secondary, and one of the most gifted players on the roster overall, which is why he belongs on the list of rookies who could start in 2026.
In Other News...
Maxx Crosby Just Got Pulled Back Into Raiders Trade Talk
The Cowboys latest round of restructures has turned a previously tight cap situation into one with real flexibility, and that immediately changes the kind of phone calls they can make ahead of the trade deadline. Dallas has gone from a little more than $14 million in room to roughly $33 million, a jump that puts premium players back on the table if the front office wants to chase a bigger swing.
Maxx Crosby is the name that naturally rises to the top of that conversation because of his contract and his status as one of the leagues most disruptive edge rushers. For Raiders fans, it is another reminder that whenever a contender finds unexpected cap space, Crosbys name tends to surface almost instantly, even if the path from speculation to a real move remains a long one. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Rebuild Could Hinge On Two Decisions Fans Wont Ignore
The Raiders are trying to reset after a 3-14 season, and the early signs of that rebuild have already put a couple of franchise-defining choices in focus. Klint Kubiak was hired after the Super Bowl and quickly settled the quarterback question by naming Kirk Cousins the starter, leaving rookie Fernando Mendoza in a limited role as the staff tries to stabilize the offense and give the roster a clearer direction.
Maxx Crosbys status adds a harder layer to the picture. The pass rusher remains one of the most valuable players on the roster, but there is already a sense that Las Vegas could weigh a trade if the team is not in playoff position by midseason, with an eye toward collecting draft capital for the next stage of the rebuild. For a fan base that has already watched one painful season slip away, those are the kinds of decisions that will define whether this is a quick reset or a longer overhaul. [Read more 🡒]
Jerry Jones Could Reignite Cowboys Chatter With One All In Move
Dallas has already spent the offseason trying to tighten up its defense under coordinator Christian Parker, and the Cowboys still sound open to making another move if the right one comes along. That is why the chatter around Maxx Crosby keeps hanging around the edges of the conversation, especially after reporting surfaced that Dallas had previously put multiple offers on the table for the Raiders pass rusher, including packages built around draft picks and players.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has floated the idea of the Cowboys circling back, and it is easy to see why the speculation keeps resurfacing whenever Jerry Jones starts talking like a team that is not done yet. Crosby was already part of trade discussions with Dallas before his brief stop with Baltimore and return to Las Vegas, and while nothing has come together, the possibility alone is enough to keep this storyline alive if the Cowboys decide to go all in. [Read more 🡒]