Rising Stars and Dark Horses: How Las Vegas Raiders Training Camp Is Shaking Up the Depth Chart

Roughly a week and a half into the Las Vegas Raiders’ training camp, the atmosphere surrounding the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson is charged with a palpable sense of urgency and transformation. Summer training camp is traditionally a time when depth charts begin to settle into predictable patterns, but this year in Las Vegas, the narrative isn’t following the standard pre-season playbook. Instead of high-priced veterans comfortably coasting into starting roles, a hungry, relentless wave of dark horse contenders and rookie draft picks is turning the Silver and Black roster hierarchy upside down.

As the team takes an off-day to rest and review tape, coaching staff and fans alike are taking stock of a camp that has been defined by fierce position battles and eye-opening individual performances. From late-round wide receivers seizing first-team reps in high-pressure situations to unheralded defensive linemen cementing themselves as foundational starters, the Raiders are seeing an unprecedented level of competition across nearly every unit.

For the coaching staff and offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak, this unexpected surge of talent presents the best kind of football challenge. It signals a cultural shift where earned performance on the practice field completely supersedes draft position or veteran seniority. As the regular season approaches, several standout players are not merely making a case for roster spots—they are rapidly forcing their way into starting roles and redefining the team’s identity for the upcoming campaign.

The Offensive Shockwave: Malik Benson’s Meteoric Rise

Perhaps the most compelling story emerging from the early weeks of practice is the rapid ascension of sixth-round rookie wide receiver Malik Benson. Coming into camp, most analysts projected the receiver room to be dominated by established veterans, with young players fighting for depth roles at the back end of the roster. However, Benson has completely shattered those expectations through consistent, explosive play during team drills.

Benson’s breakthrough has been impossible to ignore. Day after day, he has consistently logged reps with the first-team offense, outpacing competitors like Jalen Nailor, Jack Best, and Dante Thornton. When Nailor missed practice time earlier in camp, Benson capitalized on every extra snap available, proving that his early success was no temporary flash. Even when Nailor returned to full action, Benson maintained his elevated role, running in crucial two-wide-receiver (12-personnel) sets alongside Trey Tucker.

The most telling sign of the coaching staff’s confidence in Benson occurred during critical two-minute drill simulations. Rather than deferring exclusively to veteran presence in high-stress situations, the offense featured Benson on the field with the primary unit. His crisp route running, vertical speed, and ability to track the ball downfield have earned him glowing endorsements from key team leaders.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins did not hold back his enthusiasm when discussing the rookie’s development, noting how impressed he has been with Benson’s poise and soft hands. Meanwhile, tight end Michael Mayer echoed that sentiment, publicly praising Benson’s reliability when lined up on the perimeter and noting that the entire offensive unit trusts him to make plays outside. For a sixth-round rookie to command such high praise from veteran leaders just ten days into camp speaks volumes about his ceiling. Benson is no longer just a developmental prospect; he is making a legitimate bid to be a primary target in Las Vegas.

Versatility in the Trenches: Trey Zoo Rearranges the Offensive Line

While Benson is making waves on the perimeter, the battle in the trenches is producing its own share of intrigue, centered around rookie offensive lineman Trey Zoo (Trezon). Entering camp, the Raiders were focused on solidifying their interior offensive line, particularly at left guard alongside veteran Spencer Burford and second-year interior anchor Jackson Powers-Johnson (JPJ). What they didn’t anticipate was Trey Zoo displaying a rare degree of position flexibility that has completely disrupted standard line rotations.

Trey Zoo has been getting genuine starting reps at left guard, actively splitting snaps with Burford and pushing JPJ in competitive drills. But what truly sets him apart is his unbelievable cross-training regimen. On any given day, Zoo can be seen taking reps at left guard, right guard, right tackle, and even taking snaps as a backup center.

In modern NFL offenses, an offensive lineman who can seamlessly transition between guard and tackle is worth his weight in gold. While Zoo might not possess the overwhelming, massive frame of traditional power tackles, his core strength, footwork, and understanding of leverage give him legitimate upside across the line. Analysts and coaches view him as a potential long-term solution at guard, but his rapid development suggests he could step into a starting role much sooner if injuries strike or if the coaching staff decides to field the best five linemen regardless of position.

Joined by fellow interior contender Caleb Rogers, who has also earned starting reps in multi-guard packages, the Raiders’ offensive line depth is suddenly looking significantly more robust and adaptable than it did a month ago.

Defensive Lockdowns: Hezekiah Masses and a Reimagined Secondary

Over on the defensive side of the ball, the secondary has emerged as one of the most competitive and deeply talented units on the field. The headliner of this defensive transformation is cornerback Hezekiah Masses, a late-round draft pick out of California who is playing like a seasoned NFL veteran.

Masses entered training camp with a reputation for sharp instincts, but his performance on the practice field has surpassed even the most optimistic internal projections. He has consistently blanketed receivers in one-on-one drills and demonstrated a natural feel for zone coverage concepts. The highest praise came directly from the Raiders’ defensive back coaching staff, who made a stunning comparison by noting that Masses’ agility, quick twitch reflexes, and closing speed mirror those of Cleveland Browns All-Pro cornerback Denzel Ward.

While no one is crowning Masses an All-Pro just yet, being compared to a player of Ward’s caliber highlights how high his ceiling truly is. Masses is currently locked in a fierce battle with Darien Porter for starting boundary reps opposite established veterans. Porter himself presents an intriguing option for defensive coordinator Clint Kubiak; standing tall with elite length and track-level speed, Porter shares physical traits with Tariq Woolen, whom Kubiak coached against extensively during his time in Seattle.

Adding to the secondary’s wealth of talent is Jeremiah McCoy, a consensus top-tier athlete whose raw skills give him top-five potential at his position. The coaching staff has been careful with McCoy’s workload, granting him strategic rest days to manage his physical durability while gradually easing him into high-leverage defensive packages. Combined with the nickel and safety flexibility provided by veteran Taron Johnson, the Raiders’ defensive backfield is evolving into a physical, ball-hawking group capable of matching up against the league’s most dangerous passing attacks.

Interior Power and Edge Resilience: Tonka Hemingway Dominates

If there is one player on defense who has locked up a starting spot through sheer force of will, it is interior defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway. From the opening whistle of camp, Hemingway has been an absolute menace in the trenches, routinely penetrating the backfield, disrupting running plays before they can develop, and collapsing the pocket during pass-rush reps.

Coaches and media observers agree that Hemingway’s performance has elevated him from a promising rotation piece to a virtually guaranteed Day 1 starter on the defensive front. His combination of explosive lower-body power and relentless motor gives the Raiders a true interior anchor who frees up edge rushers to wreak havoc on the outside.

Hemingway’s interior presence has proven vital, especially as the edge rotation works through early-camp bumps and injuries to key players like K’Lavon Chaisson and K’Ronn. In their absence, edge rusher Brennan Jackson has stepped up admirably, seizing extra practice reps and demonstrating a refined pass-rush repertoire. The resilience shown by depth players like Jackson ensures that the Raiders’ defensive line will maintain its physical edge regardless of rotational shifts.

Clint Kubiak’s Offensive Vision: Power Personnel and Tight End Sets

Beyond individual player breakouts, training camp has provided a clear preview of Clint Kubiak’s offensive philosophy for the Silver and Black. Kubiak’s scheme heavily features 12-personnel (two tight ends) and 13-personnel (three tight ends) packages designed to physically overpower opposing defenses and establish a dominant running game.

By utilizing multi-tight end sets, the Raiders intend to force opposing defenses to bring extra safety help into the box. Once the defense commits to stopping the run, Kubiak’s scheme exploits the middle of the field with aggressive play-action passes and seam routes.

This tactical structure plays directly to the strengths of tight ends Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers. Mayer excels as a physical, in-line blocker who can also haul in contested catches over the middle, while Bowers possesses the athletic mobility to line up out wide as a receiver mismatch. Operating together, Mayer and Bowers give the offense a versatile tandem that can dictate defensive personnel matchups on any given down.

In the backfield, the running back room is adopting a complementary approach. Dynamic runner Mike Washington has looked crisp executing interior runs, while rookie Dylan Laube is being groomed for a versatile pass-catching role out of the backfield. Meanwhile, Connor Heyward provides unique power utility, serving as a bone-crushing lead blocker, short-yardage specialist, and a reliable option for QB sneak and short-yardage packages.

A New Era of Competition in Silver and Black

As the Raiders conclude the first leg of training camp and prepare for upcoming preseason action, one central truth has become abundantly clear: nothing will be given, and everything must be earned in Las Vegas this season.

The meteoric rise of rookies like Malik Benson, Hezekiah Masses, Trey Zoo, and Tonka Hemingway has injected a fresh wave of energy, urgency, and optimism into the entire organization. By challenging established veterans and demanding first-team snaps, these young standouts are forcing the coaching staff to build a deeper, tougher, and more dynamic roster. For Raider Nation, this intense summer competition is the clearest sign yet that the Silver and Black are forging an identity rooted in grit, versatility, and unyielding competitive spirit.