2 hidden gems on Raiders 2026 roster you need to know

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2 hidden gems on Raiders 2026 roster you need to know

Douglas Fritz, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, Jun 2, 2026 ·

4 min read

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While the Las Vegas Raiders wonder about whether Fernando Mendoza will hit the ground running, there is high hope for another rookie . But here are two hidden gems from the Raiders' 2026 roster that you need to know about.

One of them is defensive tackle Jonah Laulu . A seventh-round pick by the Colts in the 2024 NFL Draft, Laulu got cut but landed with the Raiders. He started 15 games for the Raiders last season, totaling four sacks with 51 tackles, eight of them for loss. Laulu also added seven quarterback hits.

Raiders DT Jonah Laulu looks like a riser

Laulu became a big part of the Raiders' defense last season, and that should bode well for 2026. It's not about his overall game, but a key skill, according to Bleacher Report.

"Laulu still struggled (in 2025), specifically against the run, but he's included here because he brings a very specific and valuable skill set," Brent Sobleski wrote. "Laulu is a legitimate interior pass-rusher. Even if he continues to struggle on early downs, he can easily be a regular sub-package contributor."

Teammate Maxx Cosby said Laulu has earned his spot, according to reviewjournal.com.

"He works his (expletive) off," Crosby said last season. "And he's getting better and better. (I) love Jonah. He's a super talented guy. And he's just going to keep getting better."

Last year's head coach, Pete Carroll, said Crosby's assessment was spot on.

"The plays we (liked) the most were the perimeter tackles that he made out on the edge, just showing great effort," Carroll said. "Really complete effort. It's a great story. But he's doing it by hard work.

"He's playing great football. It's not just a size, weight, speed thing. It's his heart, the intensity that he plays with, the technique. Great pass rushes over the last couple of weeks where he's winning one-on-ones, and he's doing a tremendous job."

Now Laulu has a new coach to impress in Klint Kubiak. And he stands in a starting position on the team's current depth chart , according to ESPN.

WR Jack Bech could emerge as a playmaker

This is a tough call. The second hidden gem could easily go to Dont'e Thornton. But since Bech is currently listed as the starter, we will go with him.

The Raiders showed their faith in these players during the draft. The team didn't pick a wide receiver until the sixth round. That's when they got Malik Benson out of Oregon. However, Benson doesn't figure to see a lot of snaps as a rookie.

And the door is wide open for Bech and Thornton, according to the Raiders' post on their YouTube page via heavy.com.

"They're both big, and they work really hard, and it's really important to them," Raiders GM John Spytek added. "They seek people out and look for answers. They look for ways they can get better. They're always trying to learn, and they work their tails off. It means a lot to both of those guys. And I'll stand by guys like that.

"Guys who are willing to lay it on the line, exhaust themselves to get better. Be vulnerable, ask questions, and take feedback and criticism in a sense. I think you want guys on your team like that because they're going to get better."

The Raiders drafted Bech in the second round of the 2025 draft. As a rookie, Bech caught 20 passes for 224 yards, but didn't find the end zone.

He's standing behind WR1 Tre Tucker , along with WR2 Jalen Nailor . The latter came over from the Vikings after four average seasons in terms of catches and yards. However, Nailor totaled 10 touchdown receptions over the last two years.

Bech will have his shot. And there are reasons to believe in him , according to Sports Illustrated.

"Bech is 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds with good speed, route-running ability, and supreme athleticism," Carter Landis wrote. "He isn't afraid to be physical at the top of his routes, but he can also turn on the burners and speed past defensive backs on go routes if necessary.

"With a full skill set that should translate to the modern NFL, the Raiders have a chance at a player who can be a serious piece for this offense. It won't hurt to have better quarterback play from Kirk Cousins and eventually Fernando Mendoza."

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