Cal in 2026 NFL Draft Recap: Hezekiah Masses picked by Raiders, with many UDFA signings
DBU Continues to DBU
The NFL Draft is something that my Eastern European mind is still trying to wrap its mind around. What do you mean these players don’t get to choose where they go for professional sports? That sounds like socialism to me, where scarce resources (highly talented players with cost-controlled contracts) are redistributed by need (worse performing teams get the first choice) and not by the forces of the free market (immediate free agency).
The Premier League would never.
Round 5, Pick 35, Las Vegas Raiders: DB Hezekiah Masses
The Raiders selected Masses as their second defensive back in the draft, after the highly touted Tennessee DB Jermond McCoy. However, McCoy has had some medical flags about his knee raised by the NFL; hence, his slide from the projected first-round grade, which means that Zeke will likely get some snaps ahead of McCoy in their rookie years as McCoy recovers from his knee issues.
Per Dane Buegler’s “The Beast” Masses was the 26th best Cornerback with a 6th Round rating. His blurb on Zeke is as follows:
Masses is underpowered and grabby, but his sudden footwork and coverage awareness lead to plays on the football, which in turn gives him starting upside. He has surpassed expectations at every level, and it won’t be surprising if that continues.
Overall, there is a good chance that Zeke can earn snaps, not just from the aforementioned McCoy injury, but by the fact that “Masses Catches Passes” and Raider defense needs some of that on the defensive side as they try not to end on the bottom of the AFC West for the third year in a row. I have a feeling he’ll do well—he is indeed a Cal football alum, and we’re DBU:
UDFAs, or where players write their own story
Three-time Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jacob de Jesus
The Chiefs added Jacob de Jesus after drafting WR Cyrus Allen in the 5th. Overall, the Chiefs are a little thin on the WR room with only Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy guaranteed snaps at the WR spots. However, as an undersized UDFA, he’ll have to really stand out in camp to earn meaningful snaps catching passes for Patrick Mahomes.
JdJ will likely have to earn his spot on the 53-man roster as a kick and punt returner, where he will have to battle former Cal WR Nikko Remigio, who has been with the Chiefs since 2023.
Jacksonville Jaguars: DE TJ Bollers
TJ Bollers joins a crowded defensive line room, where the Jacksonville Jaguars already drafted Wesley Williams in the fourth round, and Zach Durfree in the 7th round. And have added Jalen Hunt and Bryan Thomas Jr. alongside TJ Bollers in UDFA. This situation projects to be a steep hill to climb for the Cal lineman, where the depth chart projects him to have three players ahead of him in the interior DL, and even more if he were to try to play as a three-point stance EDGE.
Denver Broncos: DB Brent “Paco“ Austin
Paco Austin signs with the Denver Broncos, who added a safety Miles Scott in the draft, as well as DBs Will Wright and Ahmari Harvey as fellow UDFAs. There is a small outside chance for Austin to join the practice squad, with the CB room being stacked with talent, headlined by 2024 DPOY Patrick Surtain II, 2025 1st round draft pick Jahdae Barron, and Riley Moss, who started all games in 2025 for the Broncos opposite of Surtain II. There is an outside chance that he may get burn at nickel back or special teams, but I predict Paco being a practice squad player for the Broncos in 2026.
Detroit "Jared Goff” Lions: DL Aidan Keanaaina
He joins the Detroit Lions, AKA The Fighting Jared Goffs. The Lions added Skyler Gill-Howard in the draft in the 6th round in the interior, and Keanaaina in the UDFA ranks. There is a chance of Aidan making the roster, with only 2025 1st round pick Tyleik Williams and recently extended Alim McNeill guaranteed spots and snaps on the interior DL. Otherwise, there is the oft-injured Levi Onwuzurike, undersized 2024 sixth-round pick Mekhi Wingo, who are remaining veterans on the roster.