Calling all Las Vegas Raiders rookies Thursday to the Intermountain Health Performance Center.
It’s time for training camp.
Though the Raiders won’t practice in full until next Thursday, rookies are due to report and acclimate before their veteran teammates arrive next Wednesday. All their draftees inked their deals save for top overall pick Fernando Mendoza, soon, presumably, to sign his contract.
Here are trends to track for their 10 draft picks:
First-team reps for Mendoza: Kirk Cousins didn’t get $20 million guaranteed from the Raiders to back up their future franchise quarterback, handling most of their first-team reps and positioned to be their Week 1 starter. But the No. 1 overall pick figures to get the occasional first-team look in practice.
How he plays with — and leads — that unit could expedite his push for playing time if Cousins struggles.
Treydan Stukes’ versatility: The second-rounder from Arizona is an all-around defensive back, bringing to Las Vegas perimeter experience with know-how as a nickel and a sense for playing safety. The Raiders drafted Stukes as safety but could deploy him at nickel as well. He repped this spring across the secondary and should log a high snap count this season, regardless of position.
Keyron Crawford’s role in the rotation: Maxx Crosby and Kwity Paye bookend what figures to be a formidable pass rush, leaving the third-round rookie rusher a reserve. But there’s no such thing as too much depth for a defensive front and Crawford figures to compete for reps as rotational pass rusher amid his development.
Inside or outside for Trey Zuhn III: Zuhn played center at Texas A&M in 2025 after three years at left tackle, landing as a third-round pick with the Raiders, for whom he was drafted as a guard. But he repped some at right tackle in the offseason program and could compete with DJ Glaze.
At guard he’d compete with Caleb Rogers, Jackson Powers-Johnson and Spencer Burford.
Reps, rhythm and health for Jermod McCoy: The Raiders figure to manage McCoy and the long-term health of his rickety right knee, already sidelining him last month for mandatory minicamp. A first-round talent turned fourth-round pick, he’s due to rep at cornerback — at which only Eric Stokes has solidified himself a starter — and would bolster an unproven secondary if his health remains intact.
Mike Washington Jr.’s workload or lack thereof: Second-year running back Ashton Jeanty is due for an uptick in usage this season with Washington drafted to spot and spell him. With Jeanty in line for the featured role — and keeping him fresh for the fall a probable priority — the fourth-round pick should see plenty of reps with the first and second teams alike.
Dalton Johnson, safety and special teamer: The fifth-round pick doesn’t have a clear pathway to start at safety with incumbent starters Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao returning — plus the drafting of Stukes. It’s possible he best makes an impact on special teams while serving as a rotational safety.
Hezekiah Masses’ perimeter push: Masses was a fifth-round pick but a first-team corner during minicamp, competing for reps on the perimeter. Perhaps he — along with McCoy — pushes second-year cornerback Darien Porter for more first-team reps this fall.
Malik Benson … the returner: A sixth-round draftee as a wide receiver likely to develop as he serves as depth, Benson could vie to play punt returner. The speedster fielded nine punts last season (with Oregon), returning one 85 yards for a touchdown.
Brandon Cleveland’s developmental depth: A seventh-round selection at defensive tackle, Cleveland would have to thrive at camp to beat out vets at a position of depth.
That’s the point of practice, though.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
