The Raiders are coming off Klint Kubiak’s first draft class, while John Spytek’s second draft class since landing in Las Vegas. The Raiders selected 10 rookies, and signed another 21. The Raiders have a ton of roster turnover heading into their second season with Spytek at the helm, and after a few big ticket free agents, it’s clear the Raiders are going to let their young talent have the chance to compete for a roster spot. So far I have broken down the 2024, 2025, and now 2026 classes with all of them likely seeing a ton of playtime which allows them the ability to stay young, develop in house talent, and then overall keep young talent in house. With all that in mind, a look at the Raiders rookies standings for 2026.
QB Fernando Mendoza: Competition for Starting QB
2025: 16 Games (724 snaps) | 71% completion rate (273/382), 2758 yards, 41 TD, 6 INT, 9.3 YPA, 182.9 QBR, 5.7% Big Time Throw Rate, 2.6% Turnover Worthy Play Rate | 76 attempts, 377 yards, 7 TD, 5 fumbles
- Mendoza had an excellent season for the Hoosiers in 2025, leading them to the national championship, winning the Heisman, and also solidifying himself as the first overall selection. The Raiders are going to be patient with Mendoza, he needs to work his way up to start, but he’s likely to start at least 1/3 of the season, if not more. Mendoza will need to learn from playing under center, he’ll need to adapt to the NFL level, and also show more than Kirk Cousins. Cousins is coming off a 2025 season where he logged just 269 attempts for 1721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Cousins started 10 games in 2025, 14 in 2024, and 8 in 2023 but the 38 year old QB is likely to be the Raiders starter come week one with Las Vegas slowly incorporating Mendoza into the NFL level. Mendoza is better than Cousins, and he’ll push him to start, but overall the Raiders clear ability to be patient and slowly incorporate Mendoza will give Cousins an upperhand. I’d expect to see Mendoza starting at some point, but not immediately.
SAF Treydan Stukes: Starting FS
2025: 10 Games (608 snaps) | 52 tackles, TFL, sack, 4 INT, 7 PBU, 10.7% missed tackle rate, 17 run stops, 59% reception rate (23/39), 213 yards, 34.4 QBR allowed
- Stukes is listed as mainly playing NCB for Arizona, though Arizona played a versatile defense that allowed for Stukes to work at NCB and quickly get to a FS role as they played a K type role. Stukes is fluid, he’s able to work downfield, he’s a true ballhawk, and his run defense left little to be desired. The transition from more of the near the LOS (10-12 yard drops) to the 15+ yard drops could be an adjustment, but Stukes has the necessary instincts, coverage traits, and movement to be a future Pro Bowler in the back end...
Silver And Black Pride
