Las Vegas Raiders’ Day 3 picks are using each other to get better in training camp, and it’s working tremendously
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted a great rookie class in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they’re all making each other better, including Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses, and Malik Benson.
The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into Thursday’s first preseason game of the 2026 season with a few standout rookies turning heads at training camp. The surprising part? They’re both day 3 picks, one on each side of the ball. And both are pushing for significant roles on the 53-man roster.
Hezekiah Masses is fighting for a starting cornerback spot
The first is fifth-round cornerback Hezekiah Masses out of Cal. Masses has been one of the better stories of Raiders training camp so far. He’s won some tough matchups against good receivers and has shown he can be sticky in coverage. He’s also lost some reps against guys like tight end Brock Bowers, but that’s Brock Bowers.
Coaches have praised Masses as one of the better coverage players on the roster in terms of technique and the way he flows on the field. He’s currently fighting for a starting spot alongside Darien Porter, which is a significant accomplishment for a fifth-round pick this early in camp.
Malik Benson has developed a special connection with Fernando Mendoza
On the other side of the ball, sixth-round wide receiver Malik Benson out of Oregon has been even more impressive. Benson currently sits as the second wide receiver on the Raiders’ unofficial depth chart behind Jack Bech, which is remarkable for a player drafted that late.
Benson has developed a strong connection with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza throughout training camp. He’s been effective in the deep part of the game, with crossing routes over the middle of the field, and has shown he can do a little bit of everything. The Raiders have praised him relentlessly.
So much so that his rookie teammates are taking notice. Fourth-round cornerback Jermod McCoy, who could have been the first cornerback taken in the 2026 NFL Draft but fell because of knee concerns, had this to say about going up against Benson in practice:
“Every time I’m against Malik, I love it. They love throwing to him, so when I matched up with him, I know the ball is coming.”
That tells you everything you need to know. The Raiders love Malik Benson, and they throw the ball to him all the time. That’s exactly what you want to hear about a sixth-round pick.
The Raiders could have 3 day 3 starters from the 2026 class
Las Vegas could realistically end up with three day 3 picks who become starters: Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses, and Malik Benson. Hitting on a sixth-round wide receiver just doesn’t happen all that often. There are guys like Antonio Brown who turned into one of the best receivers of all time, but Benson is not someone many thought would be in this position this early. He’s thriving right now.
On Thursday, fans are going to get to see a lot of Benson in his preseason debut. What makes him special isn’t necessarily breakaway speed where he’s dusting everybody down the field. It’s more that he’s extremely quick and his separation ability is really good. He just has to catch the ball and do whatever the offense needs him to do. If he can do that consistently, Benson is going to have a critical role in the Raiders’ offense in 2026.
