Raiders’ fifth-round rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses is in the mix for a starting job

The Raiders knew they needed help in the secondary in the 2026 NFL draft, which is why they selected four defensive backs. The last of those four, fifth-round cornerback Hezekiah Masses, is making an early impression.

Masses is in the mix for a starting outside cornerback job, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN.

At the Raiders’ minicamp, Masses was alternating first-team reps with Darien Porter, a 2025 third-round pick who started 10 games as a rookie last season. Reporters said Masses looked good in offseason practices that were open to the media.

Masses played three seasons of college football at FIU before transferring to Cal in 2025, where he was named first-team All-ACC.

The Raiders also drafted another cornerback, Jermond McCoy, and safeties Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson. They’ll have a young secondary this season, and they’ll need those young defensive backs to be ready in a hurry.