Assistant general manager Brian Stark recently weighed in on the Las Vegas Raiders‘ rookie class. Indeed, they are setting a high standard from the start.
Stark may be the “new guy” in the Raiders’ front office, but he’s already sounding like a believer in this rookie class—and Raider Nation should be too.
The second in command…
Stark, who joined the team after serving as the college scouting director for the Denver Broncos, had no involvement in this year’s draft. Nevertheless, his message after just a few weeks on the job is clear: the young players are stepping up, and none of them have backed down under pressure. This is a notable change from the experiences with Raider rookies in recent years.
“It’s not just the draft picks,” Stark stated. “Even some of the undrafted free agents are showing the qualities that got them here.” In other words, this isn’t a rookie class dominated by top picks—rather, it’s a deep group that’s challenging veterans.
A significant portion of that edge stems from Pete Carroll’s renowned culture of competitiveness. Stark attributes the players’ newfound confidence and belief to Carroll, which enables them to play freely rather than becoming tense. When young players approach the game with this looseness, their potential becomes evident on the field.
The Raiders might finally have some depth thanks to their rookie class…
As for roster cuts, Stark didn’t bite on picking one position group under the microscope—because the truth is, it’s everywhere. Every rep, every practice, and every snap in the preseason is a job interview, and the battle for those final spots will be absolutely chaotic until the very end.
That’s the kind of challenge Raiders fans should welcome. Depth has been a taboo topic in Vegas for too long, and many recent draft classes have faded away before making an impact. But this year? You can sense a change. The rookies aren’t just filling spots—they’re serious competitors, and they’re elevating the team’s standards.
If Stark’s read is right, the Raiders might have finally found something they’ve been chasing for years: a rookie class that doesn’t just fill holes but changes the entire tone of the roster.
In the fierce AFC West, such a spark has the potential to significantly impact the team.
Related: Is Raiders DE Malcolm Koonce Ready To Be No. 2?
*Top Photo: Getty Images