The Raiders’ rookie class may not be landing in a championship setup, but that’s exactly what makes the path to the field so clear. Fernando Mendoza is the headliner, and his early snaps feel like a matter of when, not if. But he’s hardly the only first-year player with a real shot to get on the field fast.
Las Vegas upgraded the roster this offseason, yet several rookies still enter camp with a legitimate opening to crack the rotation - and in a couple of cases, push for starting jobs. Here are five non-Mendoza rookies who could make an immediate impact.
Treydan Stukes looks like the safest bet to be on the field right away. The second-round safety from Arizona worked with the first-team defense this spring, and the Raiders even had him matched up with Brock Bowers at times.
That kind of usage says plenty about how the team views him. His versatility gives Las Vegas options, and his knack for creating turnovers should fit neatly into the defense.
He could wind up as an All-Rookie defensive back.
Jermod McCoy is another rookie who could jump straight into a starting role if he’s healthy. Eric Stokes has one side covered, but the Raiders still need a true answer on the other.
Darien Porter flashed last year, but McCoy has the kind of talent that makes this feel straightforward: if the Tennessee corner is ready to go, he’s almost guaranteed to start opposite Stokes. Injuries are the only real question here, because the talent is not.
On the offensive side, Mike Washington Jr. has a clean path to touches behind Ashton Jeanty. Klint Kubiak has already made it clear Jeanty will be leaned on heavily, but Washington Jr. is the obvious backup when the sophomore needs a breather.
The Arkansas running back brings size and speed, and if he adapts quickly to Kubiak’s outside zone system, he could earn even more work. Ball security and pass protection remain the areas he has to sharpen before the role grows.
Malik Benson was one of the names that kept coming up during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and that matters because the Raiders’ wide receiver room still has plenty of questions. The sixth-rounder has a chance to sneak into the rotation in a new-look offense, but he’ll have to beat out Dont'e Thornton Jr., Jack Bech and Shedrick Jackson for that third spot behind Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor. If Benson carries his spring momentum into padded practices, he could carve out early responsibilities.
Keyron Crawford may have the steepest climb of the group, but he still has a route to snaps. If Rob Leonard spreads the workload and takes some pressure off Maxx Crosby, Crawford can compete with Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce by doing what he did in college.
Cian Slone gives the Raiders another option as an undrafted free agent, but Crawford doesn’t face a crowded path. With Las Vegas likely rotating four edge rushers, he should be on the field soon, if not immediately.
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Darien Porter arrived in Las Vegas as one of the more intriguing developmental bets in the 2025 draft, a third-round corner with a receivers background and enough athletic upside to make the Raiders believe the transition could stick. He spent much of his rookie season behind Kyu Blu Kelly before carving out a bigger role, and the flashes were there even if the consistency was not.
Now the Raiders are asking a bigger question of him in training camp: whether that growth is enough to hold off younger competition and turn potential into a real starting job. Porter has shown enough to stay in the mix, but with the cornerback room still unsettled, he is going to have to clean up the rough edges quickly if he wants to make this a summer of separation instead of another battle for snaps. [Read more 🡒]
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For the Raiders, the wrinkle is that a deal with Seattle would not come out of nowhere. Las Vegas has brought in former Seahawks personnel, including Klint Kubiak, and that connection could help open the door if talks advance. The question now is whether the Raiders are willing to listen if the return starts centering on a first-round pick and a veteran piece from Seattle, or whether Crosbys value keeps the conversation from getting that far. [Read more 🡒]
Why Raiders Fans Should Feel Different About Ashton Jeanty Now
Ashton Jeantys first season in Las Vegas was productive enough to hint at what the Raiders might have, but not explosive enough to satisfy the expectations that followed him into the league. He finished with 1,321 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns, yet the run game never quite took off the way the Raiders hoped, leaving his rookie year feeling more like a preview than a payoff.
Now the conversation shifts to what comes next, and the fit matters as much as the talent. With Klint Kubiak in place as the new offensive coordinator, the Raiders are moving toward a zone-based rushing approach that leans on versatile backs, which could line up better with Jeantys game if the offensive line takes a step forward and the supporting cast holds up. [Read more 🡒]