Raiders rookies who could have an instant impact in 2026
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek and other members of the front office couldn't contain their smiles during the 2026 NFL draft.
In the Raiders' 10-player draft class, highlighted by the selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, they believe the group has high ceilings and can compete for significant roles early in their careers.
The team's optimism in rookies such as safetyTreydan Stukesand offensive linemanTrey Zuhn IIIcomes from their experience playing in a good amount of games at the college level and their versatility.
"It's a part of it for sure. They're just really good football players that are selfless and do whatever's asked of them," Spytek said. "Stukes has played outside corner, nickel [and] safety. We went to the Miami-Texas A&M game this year, [and] we watched Trey play center, left tackle, center, left tackle. I mean, he moved all around that game against a pretty damn good front, too.
"So, versatility is awesome, but wherever they were put, they were OK with and they proved themselves to be pretty good football players."
Overall, the Raiders' rookie class could very well jump-start the rebuild process. Here's a look at four players who can make an immediate impact for Las Vegas.
QB Fernando Mendoza, No. 1 overall
Whether it's Week 1 or Week 8, Mendoza is expected to play at some point in 2026. The last six quarterbacks taken with the No. 1 overall pick (Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow and Kyler Murray) were named Week 1 starters and combined to play 93 games in their respective rookie campaigns.
Kirk Cousins, who the Raiders signed this offseason,will likely be the starter to begin the season, given his experience and familiarity with coach Klint Kubiak's system. However, it's hard to imagine Cousins maintaining the role for the entire season unless the Raiders are in playoff contention with him under center.
Mendoza has a lot to learn, adjusting from a RPO system, which he played at Indiana, to a pro-style offense that requires him to play frequently under center. But it's not an impossible task for him to handle. Mendoza has been praised by the Raiders' staff for being a hard worker and quick at processing information, a trait that will allow him to adapt to the team's offense sooner rather than later.
Mendoza will make it tough for Cousins to win the starting job. And even if his debut is postponed for later in the season, he should be effective whenever his number is called. Of course, he might have some growing pains like other rookie quarterbacks in the past. At the same time, he seems to have the mental toughness to withstand it.
Safety Treydan Stukes, No. 38 overall
Out of all the rookies, Stukes might have the clearest path to be an opening week starter. Las Vegas' depth at safety was incredibly thin ahead of the draft. On top of that, Stukes can play deep middle safety, a role that belonged to Isaiah Pola-Mao last season, but he was inconsistent.
In 559 coverage snaps, Pola-Mao allowed a completion rate of 70%. Stukes' ball skills and speed, which allow him to keep up with wide receivers, make him better suited to play in the back end. Stukes had four interceptions and allowed a completion rate of 26.1% on 23 targets as the primary defender for Arizona last season.
Stukes' experience at nickel will also allow defensive coordinator Rob Leonard to move him around the field, possibly splitting reps with veteran cornerback Taron Johnson. Stukes is a player to keep an eye on from now to training camp, as it shouldn't be too hard for him to stand out among the rest of the safeties.
Guard Trey Zuhn III, No. 91 overall
Zuhn prides himself on being able to play all five positions on the offensive line.
"It's super important," Zuhn said. "Being able to be versatile and play multiple positions just increases your value and how much you can help the team. So, it's all about what the team needs, and [you've] got to be able to help out however much you can."
Zuhn, who was drafted as a guard despite playing left tackle and center at Texas A&M, has a good chance to play a meaningful role on Las Vegas' offensive line. Zuhn joined the Raiders with a ton of experience, having been a four-year starter for the Aggies.
Left tackle Kolton Miller, right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson and center Tyler Linderbaum should be penciled in as starters. The remaining two spots on the offensive line are up for grabs. Zuhn has a shot of beating out Caleb Rogers andSpencer Burfordat guard. However, don't rule out Zuhn competing with DJ Glaze and Charles Grant at right tackle.
Zuhn's skill set fits Kubiak's wide zone scheme, and even though Glaze is a two-year starter, he struggled in 2025, allowing 70 pressures and 16 sacks.
"We're trying to add multiple people to this room that are violent, football lovers [and] big people," Brandon Hunt, the team's vice president of player personnel, said. "He's one of those guys we're really excited about."
RB Mike Washington Jr., No. 122 overall
Kubiak said he would like to have a two-running back system so the team can take some of the workload off last year's first-round pick, Ashton Jeanty. And with Washington being the only major addition to the running backs room so far this offseason, he is in a prime position to take over that RB2 role.
After Washington played three seasons at Buffalo and one at New Mexico State, he stood out at Arkansas in 2025. He rushed for 1,070 yards, with 606 yards coming after first contact, and eight touchdowns. Washington also totaled 28 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown.
Washington is 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, and he has blazing speed. At the NFL combine in February, he completed the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds -- the fastest among running backs.
"[Washington] is going to generate explosives for us and just another weapon that's going to add to our offense," Hunt said. "And Klint and [OC Andrew] Janocko are going to do a great job of utilizing them [to] help us score the football."
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