The Las Vegas Raiders loaded up on secondary talent during the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting four defensive backs across the class. Of all the secondary additions, fifth-round cornerback Hezekiah Masses out of Cal is quietly generating buzz as one of the rookies to watch heading into training camp

“Who is an under-the-radar rookie to watch in training camp/preseason? Cornerback Hezekiah Masses. The fifth-round pick was one of four defensive backs taken by the Raiders in the draft. The overall depth at cornerback is fairly young, meaning Masses could play his way into having significant snaps early. During minicamp, he alternated first-team reps with second-year corner Darien Porter. And at times, Masses’ ball skills and man-to-man coverage ability were on display. Expect him to be in the mix for the starting outside cornerback role, along with Porter and fellow rookie Jermod McCoy.” — Ryan McFadden, ESPN

Hezekiah Masses: “I'm coming in to change the program around”

— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) April 25, 2026

The Raiders’ 2026 draft class was headlined by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who carries franchise-altering expectations for an organization that has been stuck near the bottom of the league for years. Las Vegas followed that pick with a string of versatile, high-upside selections. Safety Treydan Stukes can play anywhere in the secondary.

Offensive lineman Trey Zuhn profiles as a player who can line up at multiple spots along the offensive line. Edge rusher Keyron Crawford brings explosive pass-rush ability with plenty of room to grow. Cornerback Jermod McCoy could end up being one of the best players from this entire class if his health cooperates.

Massis is the kind of late-round find that separates good drafts from great ones

Then there’s Masses, taken in the fifth round. He has the coverage tools and physical profile to carve out a real role in this defense. The fact that he’s drawing attention this early, before pads even go on, says something about the kind of player Las Vegas may have found.

The beauty of a fifth-round pick like Masses is the risk-reward equation. If he doesn’t pan out, the Raiders aren’t losing significant draft capital. But if Spytek hit on a coverage corner that late in the draft, the ceiling for this secondary gets a whole lot higher. That’s the kind of find that separates a good draft from a great one, and it reflects well on Spytek’s ability to identify talent deep in the class.

The flip side of all this secondary depth is the roster math that awaits at the end of training camp. Las Vegas now has a crowded group of defensive backs, and not all of them will make the initial 53-man roster. Some of these players are legitimate contributors, even if they aren’t projected starters. Having that kind of competition is a good problem, but it also means at least one quality player could be on the outside looking in when the final cuts are made.

The secondary competition will be fierce, and that’s exactly what the Raiders need

When you look at the full picture, the Raiders clearly felt their secondary needed an overhaul. Drafting four defensive backs in a single class sends a direct message about how the front office viewed the roster before the draft. The additions of Stukes, McCoy, Masses, and safety Dalton Johnson give Las Vegas options it simply did not have before.

Masses still has to prove it on the field. The early returns suggest the Raiders may have found a player who can develop into a meaningful piece. If all goes well with McCoy’s health and Masses continues on this trajectory, Las Vegas could have one of the league’s more improved secondaries heading into the 2026 season.

Now, Spytek and the coaching staff just have to sort through the depth and figure out who earns a spot. There’s also Decamerion Richardson, Greedy Vance, and Darien Porter that we haven’t really mentioned in this equation. That’s a far better position than the one this team was in a year ago. Some tough decisions will have to be made.