Dylan Laube calls Fernando Mendoza “a special talent,” Klint Kubiak praises Malik Benson’s rise, and a bruising running back earns new buzz at Las Vegas Raiders camp.
Raiders players and coaches offered plenty of praise at practice Sunday. Laube called rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza “a special talent.” He also said Mendoza “had a great couple drives” against Arizona. Laube added that Mendoza “is going to be a very good player.”
Laube also had high marks for fellow running back Mike Washington Jr., calling him “just a bruiser.” Meanwhile, Kubiak addressed rookie receiver Malik Benson’s rise to first-team reps, saying, “He’s earned those reps but he’s got to stay humble and stay hungry.”
What stands out from all of this praise?
The Mendoza praise carries the most weight here, if we’re honest. Kirk Cousins remains the entrenched starter; that’s not new. Still, every positive locker room reaction to Mendoza’s preseason flashes adds pressure to that timeline. It also shapes how the Raiders think about their QB room beyond this season.
Benson’s promotion to first-team snaps matters just as much on the depth chart: with Dont’e Thornton still working back from injury, Benson is carving out real receiver room competition on a rookie contract, which is exactly the kind of cost-controlled production the Raiders need behind Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor. Washington’s bruiser reputation, meanwhile, signals the Raiders may be building a complementary short-yardage role behind Ashton Jeanty rather than a true committee.
Related: Things you might’ve missed at Day 12 of Raiders camp
Expect Benson’s workload to keep climbing through the preseason, while Mendoza’s every rep gets scrutinized as a referendum on how much runway Cousins actually has.
Which of these developments would you keep the closest eye on the rest of camp: Mendoza’s growth, Benson’s rise, or Washington’s role next to Jeanty?
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images