Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) scans the field from the line of scrimmage during the ...
Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) scans the field from the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang
Those holding stock in Fernando Mendoza, hypothetically, had to be excited about the rookie seeing his first game action on Sunday in the Las Vegas Raiders’ blowout loss to the New England Patriots.
But his cameo appearance didn’t do much for that stock’s value.
He was fine. Mendoza entered the game for one series and picked up a couple first downs.
He was competent and appeared prepared.
That should be no surprise for the top pick in the draft.
A couple dropbacks against some third stringers in the secondary against an aggressive, but vanilla front didn’t tell us much else, though. And it definitely shouldn’t impact his timeline.
Coach Klint Kubiak and the Raiders have a plan and they should stick with it, even if a couple losses and seeing Mendoza in action has some fans anxious to turn to the future.
His stock remains very high.
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But was an awful performance by the Raiders all around from coaching to offense and defense.
While some weeks it has been difficult to pick those whose stocks went down from the previous game, the opposite is true now.
One off the board selection would be Deven Thompkins, who took advantage of his practice squad callup and provided at least a bit of a spark in the return game.
“I just look for any way I can help the team,” Thompkins said after the game. “I’ve been in this situation a couple times with a couple teams, so I understand it’s just about staying ready and being ready when your number is called.”
Here’s our weekly look at some Raiders whose stock increased in the loss to the Patriots and some whose prospects might have taken a hit:
Up
Dylan Laube — The third-year pro has put in a ton of work to earn the trust of his teammates over the last couple years.
Kubiak and his new staff seem to have taken a liking as well.
Laube is a trusted special teamer who is one of the top returners in the league so far and is willing to do the dirty work.
That has also earned him reps on offense.
His ability in the passing game, as a receiver but especially in protection, have earned him a role ahead of splashy rookie Mike Washington Jr. in those situations.
He even got his first career touchdown this week, just down the road from where he played collegiately at New Hampshire.
Adam Butler — The veteran defensive tackle looked like he turned back the clock on Sunday.
Most of the defense, especially up front, was getting pushed around. Butler, however, pushed back.
He was really the only obstruction for the Patriots to do whatever they wanted to do much of the day.
Butler even forced a fumble at a time where the momentum swing could have actually mattered.
He earned by far his highest snap count of the year, likely because his effort was being recognized.
Darien Porter — He lost his starting cornerback spot after getting injured and missing the second game of the season, ceding it to Hezekiah Masses after the rookie intercepted two passes.
Porter may have won it back.
He rotated with Masses on Sunday and mostly outplayed him.
It would be a bit surprising if he is not back in the lineup against the Buffalo Bills this week.
Down
Starting cornerbacks — Masses was off to a great start, but the Patriots really went after him.
They found quite a bit of success doing so.
Masses is very talented and has a nose for the ball, but he is still a rookie and teams have tape on him now.
It will be on him to adjust.
Fellow starter Eric Stokes has been one of the Raiders most consistent defenders the last two seasons, but it wasn’t his best game.
He drew a couple flags, though to be fair it was a pretty over-officious crew.
Mike Washington Jr. — The talent is obvious, but his absence on Sunday was glaring.
Despite Ashton Jeanty’s injuries and a stated desire from the coaching staff to get him more involved, Washington barely saw the field.
It’s pretty clear the Raiders don’t yet fully trust him in passing situations and once they fell behind, he was stuck on the bench.
“I think he just needs more opportunities,” Kubiak said Monday. “And that starts with me too.”
He may also need to work on pass protection.
Spencer Burford — It has been an up-and-down start for the free agent left guard.
Burford has had some very solid games, including a great one last week against Kansas City.
Sunday wasn’t his best effort. He struggled to create much push in the run game and was beat several times in protection.
He’s certainly not alone. The Raiders are struggling on the offensive line. But Burford probably won’t enjoy watching tape this week.