The Las Vegas Raiders are set to start training camp within the next month, and as they gear up for an interesting 2026 season, a few players and/or position groups can really make or break the season. The Raiders added a plethora of talent over the last off-season, with the Raiders likely to only return starters at left & right tackle, tight end, runningback, and one wide receiver on offense. Defensively, they likely return 3 starers on the defensive line, one at safety, one at corner, and none at linebacker. Needless, to say the Raiders are turning over the roster with talent, and for a roster that has been void of young talent in previous years, that was crucial.
I’ve also already broke down the offense, and special teams. Those links may be live when you read this, and if not they will be soon.
Rob Leonard
- No matter how much talent the Raiders have on defense, it will all come down to Rob Leonard. Leonard’s scheme is still an unknown, and after spending time with Patrick Graham, Mike MacDonald, and Brian Flores it’s likely he’ll adapt each system into one culmination. I’d expect the versatility of MacDonald, aggression of Flores/Graham (yes Patrick Graham’s defense was aggressive in terms of blitz rates, havock plays, etc), and similar coverage tendencies to Graham. Leonard is the true wildcard, he’s shown an ability to be a leader of men, is clearly a player focused coach, and he’s preached aggression, effort, and attack on defense. If the Raiders can put together a quick moving, aggressive defense, that is able to deconstruct, work through assignments, and play consistent the unit can elevate quickly. However, aggressive and complex defenses can also fail, and Leonard will be tasked with a lot in 2026.
Defensive Backs
- The Raiders added an influx of talent into their secondary this year. The core remains with CB Eric Stokes, who enjoyed a massive breakout season for the Raiders and arguably played at the level of a top 15 corner in the NFL. Additionally, the Raiders will keep safety Jeremy Chinn, who will work in a variety of formations, styles, and overall defensive fits to allow the Raiders flexibility in the secondary. Taron Johnson comes over from Buffalo in a trade, and while Johnson is likely on the decline he’ll work in a secondary that allows him flexibility across the nickel, free safety, and slot cornerback. In addition to those three, the Raiders also return Darien Porter who played well as a rookie, but has a ways to go in his development as well.
Porter played roughly 50% of the Raiders snaps, and he’ll be pushed for that role this year by rookies Jermod McCoy & Hezekiah Masses. Porter has good ball skills, moves well, and is fluid in coverage with good instincts. He’s still learning the position, technique is rather inconsistent, and he’s a poor tackler which could really limit his chances in this defense. McCoy, if healthy, has a chance to be the Raiders best overall cornerback. His knee will be the biggest question, but all signs point to him being an immediate impact player for Las Vegas. Fellow rookie, Treydan Stukes will work between free safety & the slot allowing the Raiders versatility and more playmaking instincts in the backend of the secondary.
The Raiders secondary will largely hinge off Stukes, Porter, Johnson, and McCoy. If McCoy is healthy he slots in across of Stokes with Porter and forms a very strong trio of boundary corners for the Raiders. Taron Johnson’s flexibility will be crucial, but he’ll need to stay consistent in the slot or the Raiders could be forced to move around their secondary, with the nickel position being a big point of emphasis for Las Vegas defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. Overall, the Raiders secondary is young, and it’s also had it’s ups and downs, but if the unit can come together and players perform to expectations then there’s a very good chance it can be the strength of the Raiders defense.
Thomas Booker & Tonka Hemingway
- Booker and Hemingway both fit a similar mold for the Raiders, as pass rush focused defensive tackles. Booker played adequate vs the run last year, but his focus is as a pass rusher, and he’s a capable player in that situation. Booker is athletic, strong, and works well moving laterally in stunts and loops. While he wasn’t credited with a sack last season, he ranked inside the top 10 for generated sacks (sacks produced through a player but credited to another player) and he’s shown an ability to generate 35-45 pressure seasons. Booker’s run defense did come along down the stretch, and he showed an ability to anchor, get off blocks and tap into his athleticism, which moving to an attack front should help.
Hemingway is likely never going to be an every down defensive tackle in the NFL, he’s struggled in run defense since his freshman year at South Carolina, and it’s never developed across his years. Like Booker, he’s extremely athletic, works well in stunts and loops, and has a knack as a pass rusher. Hemingway turned in 4 sacks last year off a 7% win rate, and 15 pressures in limited snaps down the stretch. He’s going to work well in a pure attack front allowing him to use his flexibility & athleticism to get into the backfield, and it could cause some pop in the run game. The Raiders interior defensive line is among the worst in the NFL, but Booker and Hemingway having the ability to be 35 pressure, and 5 sack players can turn it into an adequate unit and set the team up for better success in 2026 and beyond.
Malcolm Koonce
- Koonce struggled to start the 2025 season, he didn’t have the same explosiveness, athleticism, or real movement skills that we saw in his 2023 season where Koonce recorded 8 sacks and 54 pressures. Heading into 2026, he’ll be a year removed from a torn ACL, and should have a shot to be back on track to his 2023 self. Additionally, Koonce took positive steps forward in 2025 as a run defender, where he was arguably among the better EDGE defenders against the run down the stretch, using his athleticism, and pure hand power far more often than in previous seasons. The Raiders may move Maxx Crosby before, during, or after the 2026 season, and in all three aspects if Koonce can return to his 2023 form you likely feel far more comfortable about the unit going forward. The likely starter opposite of Maxx Crosby, Koonce will rotate with Kwity Paye and Keyron Crawford, as will Crosby, but producing in his opportunities would push the Raiders defensive line above their current projections by a favorable margin
