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Las Vegas Raiders Breakout Candidates

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The 2026 NFL season is nearly in full swing, with the Las Vegas Raiders starting training camp & eventually they’ll be playing their first pre-season game coming up very quickly. The NFL always sees players hit their strides, breakout, and become core players on their rosters especially young players who have made strides and are set to see more snaps in different schemes. The Raiders offense and defensive coaching staff’s have been extremely turned over, and as a result, there will be opportunities for coaches that weren’t present earlier in their careers. All that in mind, my potential breakout candidates are below:

* Nailor is coming to Las Vegas after serving as the main WR3 and at times 2nd receiver in the Vikings system where he logged 57 receptions, 858 yards, and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons. The former 6th rounder has history with Klint Kubiak and is arguably the best receiver in the Raiders room. Similar to Tre Tucker, Nailor has a chance to explode in an offense that will give him opportunities with the ball in his hands, and also scheme him open. Nailor isn’t a prototypical X receiver, and works best in the Z/Slot but he’s an explosive receiver, who has a ton of natural speed especially in his start/stop abilities. There’s been moments of Nailor showing the ability to be a consistent 1000 yard receiver, and he has a good chance in Las Vegas.

* I’ve been a big fan of Tre Tucker for the last few years and I think 2026 will be the year everything comes to mold. To start, Tucker is coming off his best season in 2025 with 57 receptions, 696 yards, and five touchdowns. Additionally, Tucker should see his chance to play in an offense that will allow him to work with the ball in his hands, work intermediate threat, but also be the true top off the defense option. Tucker needs to improve on his drops, but he’s shown the speed, improved route running, and contested catch ability that can make him a capable WR2 in the NFL. Heading into a career year, and a new offense (the fourth of his career) Tucker will also have the best QB play he’s had in his NFL tenure.

* Hemingway saw his rookie season filled with ups and downs, where he logged 4 sacks, 5 TFL, and 9 tackles along with 7 QB hits and a PBU. Hemingway saw inconsistencies in his pass rush, largely needing to improve his pass rush moves, and he was a raw prospect in that regard coming out of South Carolina. That said, Hemingway is an ultra athlete, he’s able to consistently use his first step and second step moves to get upfield and get past the offensive line. Additionally, Hemingway is strong in his lower half and converts speed to power with a great bull rush. There’s issues as a run defender, where Hemingway has never been good stemming back to South Carolina, but the Raiders should put him in a spot to be a capable pass rusher and he does have double 8+ sack potential with improved pass rush moves.

* Booker is similar to Hemingway, he’s an ultra athlete but he’s bigger, and likely a bit stronger as well. Booker’s pass rush moves need improvement, but he’s shown an ability to add a club/swipe and he has an elite swim move as well. Booker didn’t record a sack in 2025, but he created 7 sacks for fellow defensive lineman, including 2 of Hemingway’s 4. Booker is likely to see similar, or increased snaps this season depending on Adam Butler’s potential regression and Tonka Hemingway’s development. Booker is an adequate run defender, but he’s best in pass rush situations using his strength and athleticism to get upfield quickly and flush quarterbacks into uncomfortable situations as he did last season.

* Olubi has just 32 tackles, an interception, and a FR in his 141 NFL snaps which include just 28 over the last two seasons. Olubi has been a standout on special teams, and there’s no question on his ability to provide for the Raiders in that regard this season where the expectation is likely at least one turnover and one blocked kick. The Raiders have relatively limited LB depth behind Quay Walker & Nakobe Dean (honorable mention breakout candidate if he stays healthy) who both need to stay healthy, but have a history of missing games. If one goes down, the Raiders are likely to ask Olubi to step up into a WILL or SAM role with the non injured linebackers and/or Tommy Eichenberg playing the MIKE role. Olubi has shown a good understanding of the run game, instincts in coverage, and he moves well with sideline to sideline range. He’s just 27 and around the age of NFL breakouts for linebackers. This is likely a long shot, but if an injury occurs you could possibly feel comfortable with Olubi as a depth option.

* It’s hard to call a rookie a breakout, but Masses has a chance. The 5th rounder has been working with the first team CBs along side Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, and Jermod McCoy indicating that the Raiders are likely to rotate their secondary heavily (as they should). Masses has added weight which was necessary due to his biggest flaws being at the catch point and a lack of strength in the run game. Masses is an incredible athlete, has elite ball skills, and he’s a good mover in coverage. Masses logged 5 interceptions, and 18 PBU in just 13 games last year while allowing a 55.8 QBR. Masses has among the best, if not the best, pure ball skills in the Raiders secondary and if he can find consistency at the catch point, maintain his natural instincts, and play patient there’s room for a breakout rookie season.

* I’ll be quick because Mayer has always been mentioned a breakout, there’s a great shot that Mayer will see a career high in snaps this season as the inline TE with Brock Bowers split into an H-Back, or slot role. Increased snaps should improve Mayer’s total receiving line, and he should also figure to be a big player in the red zone. Mayer is a top run blocker, and that alone will get him paid well this off-season, but improve his receiving film could go a long way as well. Klint Kubiak’s offense has lived heavily out of 12 personnel, and a large part of that offense can be implemented with Bowers and Mayer.