Raiders Rookie Power Rankings heading into Week 2

The Raiders need production from their rookie class. At the outset of a rebuild, finding valuable players playing on their first contract is critical. 

So far the 2026 draft class has been limited in playing time, with only one rookie getting a start in Week 1. As the season moves along, the Raiders will need to start giving their rookies more playing time to understand what they can do. 

Here are the power rankings for Raiders’ rookies heading into Week 2.

1. Treydan Stukes 

Stukes is at the top of the list by default. He’s the only rookie to actually start. But Stukes played all 55 defensive snaps on Sunday and picked up his first interception. 

He was targeted three times by the Dolphins, and he allowed two catches for 39 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Stukes was a second-round pick for the Raiders. He has the draft capital to warrant early playing time, but also has a responsibility to be good. The Raiders have whiffed on too many draft picks in recent years. If Stukes can be a reliable starter, it will help turn the defense around. 

2. Mike Washington

Mike Washington has to operate in Ashton Jeanty’s shadow, but the rookie running back acquitted himself well in Week 1. He handled seven carries and turned in 41 yards. 

Washington will likely have some sort of role in the offense, even with Jeanty getting one of the bigger workloads in the NFL. Having a good backup running back isn’t crucial to a rebuild, but he will certainly provide brief moments of excitement. 

3. Hezekiah Masses

The Raiders didn’t intend to use rookies at cornerback on Sunday, but an injury to Darien Porter forced Hezekiah Masses into the game. 

He only played 10 snaps, as Porter’s foot injury took him out of the game in the fourth quarter, but Masses made an impact quickly. He broke up a pass on his first snap in the NFL. 

Masses led college football in passes defended while at Cal last season. If he can keep that up, the Raiders may have hit on a fifth-round pick.

4. Trey Zuhn 

This is where the rankings run out of steam. Zuhn didn’t play on offense, but saw six snaps on special teams. He provides an important role as backup offensive lineman that has practiced at center, tackle and guard. But the Raiders hope he doesn’t see the field in 2026. 

5. Fernando Mendoza

The first-overall pick didn’t play in Week 1, but he looked engaged while on the sideline. 

This is the plan for Fernando Mendoza, but until he actually plays, there is no reason to rank him very highly. 

6. Jermod McCoy

Another rookie that didn’t play is cornerback Jermod McCoy. He is fourth in the pecking order for snaps at cornerback, behind fellow rookie Hezekiah Masses. 

The Raiders didn’t rotate cornerbacks at all. If that continues, McCoy would need another injury to see the field. 

7. Malik Benson

The rookie wide receiver did play seven offensive snaps, but there were five other wide receivers that saw the field more. No player has seen his stock fall further since training camp than Benson. 

He caught one pass for six yards and had a carry that lost eight yards. He’ll need to regain the trust of the coaching staff before he starts to see more playing time. 

8. Dalton Johnson

The only rookie that was a healthy scratch on Sunday was Dalton Johnson. The Raiders took the safety in the fifth round, but didn’t have him suit up in Week 1.