Raiders ‘other’ rookie CB already turning heads
It’s been a long time since the Raiders had an above average cornerback room, and the hope is that a series of moves this offseason could return the organization to that status sooner than later.
In 2025, Eric Stokes was the leading cornerback for the team and will be back this season under a three-year contract. There are hopes that Jermod McCoy’s knee will enable him to meet the first-round expectations that numerous teams had for him before his injury, and another rookie cornerback has also begun to make a name for himself in OTAs.
According to the California Post’s Vinny Bonsignore, fifth round pick Hezekiah Masses has been a bright spot in the Raiders’ secondary in recent weeks.
“I was really impressed with Hezekiah Masses. I think the Raiders have found themselves a nice cornerback, obviously, with no Jermod McCoy on the field,” Bonsignore said on Raider Nation Radio’s Morning Tailgate.
“He’s getting an opportunity. He was split in time, if you want to talk about first and second teams, it doesn’t really matter, but when the top group was out there, Masses was out there,” Bonsignore continued. “The young cornerback from Cal, really impressed with Treydan Stukes. I see what everybody’s talking about, the speed, the versatility, he was lining up all over the field.”
McCoy was held out of OTAs, at least for the media portions of the practices, but the expectation is that McCoy will be ready for training camp.
According to Raider Nation Radio host Q Myers, the Raiders have a detailed plan for McCoy in his return from a brutal knee injury he suffered 15 months ago, and the rookie cornerback will be eased back into action this year.
“Didn’t see Jamad McCoy [at OTAs]… Whenever I don’t see Jamad McCoy, I never really think twice about it because we know he’s on a plan to get him to the starting blocks,” Myers said on the Locked on Raiders podcast.
“They’re going to have him out there on the field a certain amount of time. They’re going to go through how many steps he takes every single day. There’s a full plan that Alex Guerrero and company has in place for Jermod McCoy. So whenever I don’t see him out there, I just figure it’s part of the plan. He’s working where he needs to be working and working himself to being able to participate.”
Silver & Black Sports Network’s Jesse Merrick said last month that there is already something noticeable about the way McCoy carries himself on the practice field.
“Anybody that’s been around athletes knows this, and all these guys that play are athletes, but you can just tell how springy guys are and the way they walk. That’s one of those things that stands out a lot of times. And you watch [McCoy] and you’re just like, ‘Yeah, I can tell he’s a freak of nature athlete,’” Merrick said Raider Nation Radio’s JT the Brick Show.
“As I’m watching him, I’m sitting there trying to see like, okay, where does he look hampered by this knee? Because it is such a big deal in the storyline. And yes, they’re keeping him on a pitch count and kind of limiting what he’s doing and everything like that. But if you had no idea that he had this knee problem, you wouldn’t notice it out there on the field.”
On the offensive side of the ball, a more familiar face was turning heads at OTAs this week.
“The biggest playmaker of the day was seemingly receiver Shedrick Jackson,” Levi Edwards reported on the team website on Tuesday.
“In team period and 7-on-7, [Jackson] recorded at least five receptions, including a long touchdown grab from Kirk Cousins. What made Jackson’s showing impressive was his versatility as he made plays at outside receiver and in the slot. While he’s shown flashes at times throughout OTAs, Tuesday morning felt more like a standout practice.”
“Jackson, who is notably Raiders legend Bo Jackson’s great nephew, caught his first career touchdown in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos last season.”
For those who don’t remember, Jackson’s big highlight last year was a 26-yard touchdown strike from Kenny Pickett in the Raiders 24-17 loss at Allegiant Stadium.
x: @raidersbeat
I had us drafting Masses in my mock drafts.
Led the country or was among them in the most important stats for a CB.
How the whole league overlooked this guy is beyond me.
Same with Mike Washington Jr.
As a Cal Bear fan, I am very familiar with Masses. I couldn’t believe he fell that far—he was all over the field, always around the ball, fast and gutsy. He had penalty calls, but I’m sure pro coaching will iron some of that out. He’s aggressive, and that’s a good trait in a DB. I thought this draft was one of the Raiders’ best in ages.
It’s Raiders time baby!