Best- and worst-case scenario for Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 NFL draft class during training camp

The Las Vegas Raiders’ rookies report to training camp on Thursday, meaning the Raiders’ 2026 NFL draft class will have its first chance to make a stamp on the roster soon. With that in mind, let’s dive into the best- and worst-case scenarios for each of Las Vegas’ 10 draft picks during training camp.

Fernando Mendoza

Best case: Win starting QB job

While it seems like the coaching staff’s plan is for Kirk Cousins to begin the season as the starter, even Cousins has said that the best quarterback needs to be on the field. And let’s be honest, the “competition” is less about Cousins versus Mendoza and more about Mendoza battling himself. If the rookie proves that he’s ready to be thrown into the fire during camp, he should be the Week 1 starter.

Worst case: Falling behind Aidan O’Connell

It’s completely reasonable for the No. 1 pick to begin the year on the bench and take some time to get adjusted to the NFL before being ready for action. However, if he doesn’t prove capable of at least holding down the backup job, then that could be a bad sign that the franchise is in trouble.

Treydan Stukes

Best case: Win starting FS job

The Raiders’ defense desperately needs someone on the backend who can create turnovers. That’s a big reason why Stukes likely enters training camp as the favorite to take over for Isaiah Pola-Mao at free safety. Ball skills are one of the Arizona product’s biggest strengths, making him exactly what the secondary needs right now.

Worst case: Struggle to find a position

While the second-rounder is a versatile defender, sometimes those types of prospects can have a hard time finding a home in the NFL because they fall into the “jack of all trades, master of none” category. That has the potential to happen with Stukes, especially since he was primarily a nickelback and had very little experience playing free safety in college.

Keyron Crawford

Best case: Become third-down rusher

As long as Maxx Crosby is on the roster, it’s hard to see Crawford winning a starting job over Crosby and free agent signing Kwity Paye in year one. However, it’s not out of the question for the third-round pick to beat out Malcolm Koonce as the defense’s third-down rusher. Koonce is living off an impressive nine-game run during the second half of the 2023 season, but he hasn’t done much outside of that stretch. That leaves the door open for the rookie to take over the role moving forward.

Worst case: Fall into “healthy scratch” category

Even if he’s awful in training camp, it’s highly unlikely that the 67th overall pick will get cut. But he is a project who needs development, and it wouldn’t be out of the question for a Top 100 selection to barely see the field as a rookie. Just ask Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant. The depth chart at edge is already crowded with Crosby, Paye and Koonce at the top, while Cian Slone and Brennan Jackson are also looking to make names for themselves to put some pressure on Crawford.

Trey Zuhn III

Best case: Become a surprise starter

Zuhn coming out of camp with a starting job would be a surprise since he isn’t a favorite to win either guard battle or take over at right tackle. But he should be in the mix at both spots, and it isn’t like Spencer Burford, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Rogers, Jordan Meredith, DJ Glaze and Charles Grant are such heavy favorites that the rookie third-round pick doesn’t have a fighter’s chance.

Worst case: Fall into “healthy scratch” category

On the other side of the coin, there is a world where 2026 is a “redshirt year” for Zuhn, especially since he’s another versatile player who will be finding his true position at the next level. That doesn’t mean the third-round pick will be a bust and never see the field during his tenure in Las Vegas, but it would certainly be underwhelming if he doesn’t get much playing time as a rookie.

Jermod McCoy

Best case: Win a starting CB job

It’s been said multiple times throughout the offseason that McCoy is the most talented corner on the Raiders’ roster, and his ability to become a starter is primarily just a matter of how healthy his surgically repaired knee is. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the first-round talent earns a starting job when he’s back to 100 percent.

Worst case: Knee is too fragile

While McCoy has been medically cleared to play and the concerns with his knee seem to be more of a long-term issue, training camp will be the first significant stress test the joint faces. Hopefully, that doesn’t prove to be an issue, but it has to be in the back of the coaching staff’s and John Spytek’s minds. That’s part of the risk of drafting someone who has medical concerns.

Mike Washington Jr.

Best case: Win RB2 job

It feels like Washington has the least variable outcome of the entire draft class heading into training camp. Baring an injury, it’d be a massive shock if he beat out Ashton Jeanty for the starting job, and the rest of the running back room is a collection of unproven talent. Dylan Laube and Chris Collier are a pair of veterans who barely have any regular-season experience, while Roman Hemby enters as an undrafted rookie.

Worst case: Fall to RB3

Again, there’s a pretty narrow range of outcomes for the Arkansas product. But if he isn’t playing well and Laube, Collier or Hemby are standing out, then it isn’t out of the question for Washington to begin the campaign buried on the depth chart.

Dalton Johnson

Best case: Earn role as big nickel

“Big Nickel” personnel (five defensive backs but an extra safety instead of an extra cornerback) has become more popular in the league (h/t Ryan Paganetti on X), and expect to see more teams pivot toward the trend since the Seattle Seahawks leaned on it heavily during their Super Bowl run last year. Especially with Klint Kubiak coming from Seattle and Rob Leonard working for Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald in the past, the third safety spot on the Raiders’ depth chart will be important. Pola-Mao is likely the favorite for the role, but Johnson should be in the mix for it, too.

Worst case: Special teams contributor only

To be clear, this wouldn’t be a terrible situation for a fifth-round pick in year one, and getting production on special teams from a Day 3 rookie is a win. So, it certainly feels like Johnson is entering camp playing with house money.

Hezekiah Masses

Best case: Become 3rd outside CB

There is a scenario where McCoy isn’t healthy, and Masses beats out Darien Porter for a starting spot. However, that includes one variable that is out of the fifth-rounder’s control and another that works in his favor. So, a more realistic “best case scenario” is that one of those two factors goes in his way rather than both, creating an opportunity for the Cal product to carve out a role off the bench.

Worst case: Special teams contributor only

Again, this isn’t the end of the world for a late-round rookie and would be a completely reasonable start to Masses’ career. In other words, he’s also entering camp with some house money.

Malik Benson

Best case: Become WR4

Since Benson’s skill set is similar to Tre Tucker’s and Jalen Nailor’s, it seems unlikely that the rookie will earn a starting spot in camp, barring an injury. He likely has to bring something different to the table compared to Tucker and Nailor to beat out Jack Bech or whoever else holds the third receiver spot. But the Oregon product could easily become the first receiver off the bench with a strong showing this summer.

Worst case: Cut

It’d be a bit of a surprise if Benson doesn’t make the team, but the Raiders cut two sixth-round picks last year: Cam Miller and Tommy Mellott. Granted, that was a different coaching staff. But it’s not out of the question since Shedrick Jackson, E.J. Williams and Chase Roberts will have big chips on their shoulders.

Brandon Cleveland

Best case: Win starting DT spot

It’s pretty rare for a seventh-round pick to earn a Week 1 starting job, but Las Vegas’ defensive tackle room is pretty weak heading into camp. The defense is looking for starters at all three interior line positions (assuming the switch to a 3-4 base scheme), and Cleveland’s versatility gives him a fighter’s chance to fill any of the job openings.

Worst case: Cut

Obviously, this is a wide range of outcomes, which speaks to how open the Raiders’ competition at defensive tackle is. The NC State product isn’t guaranteed a roster spot with where he was drafted, and the defense has a handful of options to fill out the depth chart at the position if he isn’t up to snuff this summer.