We are early in the Las Vegas Raiders training camp, and rookie Hezekiah Masses is starting camp strong. Masses was drafted in the 5th round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He has been getting some first-team reps alongside Eric Stokes. Masses is battling Darien Porter and another rookie, Jermod McCoy, for the starting spot.
Stong Workouts
.Masses’ strong play started in OTAs and mandatory minicamps for the Raiders. The momentum has carried over into training camp, where he has continued to work alongside the starters instead of fading into the background. This is a very unique situation for the Raiders, but it proves that the Raiders’ scouts did their homework on Masses.
Ball Skills
Im sure the one thing that the Raiders liked about Masses was his ball skills at the University of California. As a Cal Bear, Masses had 13 passes defended and five interceptions. The Raiders struggled with takeaways last season, which probably led them to draft Masses. The Raiders coaches want more turnovers, and hopefully Masses can help create them.
Competition
The competition will be fun to watch between Porter, McCoy, and Masses. Porter saw some time as a starter last year as a rookie. He played well at times and is still learning the position. McCoy is a first-round talent but slipped to the fourth round because of injury concerns. McCoy is being eased back to action, but could make a run at the starting position. Masses has made plays whenever he is on the field, and the coaching staff has taken notice.
Masses has confidence and outstanding football IQ, which gives him a nose for the football. Coaches have praised his balance and overall consistency while continuing to increase his workload with the first-team defense. If he continues to play well, Massess could be the steal of the draft.
Next
What’s next for Massess is proving he can play at the NFL level with pads on. The Raiders have yet to practice with pads, and Masses is on the smaller side at 6-1, 195 pounds. The Raiders will need to see how physical he can play, how he holds up in game situations, and whether he can be a consistent tackler. If he proves so, Masses will be the starting corner.
Every training camp there is a breakout player; Masses could be just that for the Raiders. What looked like a developmental fifth-round selection has quickly evolved into one of the biggest surprises of camp. By taking advantage of increased reps, showcasing elite ball skills, and earning the trust of the coaching staff, Masses has transformed himself from an overlooked rookie into a legitimate contender for a starting role.
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