Raiders defense chasing their identity and their destiny

Jul 30, 2026 at 03:30 PM

Digital Team Reporter

Without pads, two practices into training camp, it's premature to label the identity of this Raiders defense.

There are a few familiar faces to be seen roaming the sidelines. Maxx Crosby remains the focal point, Eric Stokes earned a second contract, and much of the defensive line remains in tact with Malcolm Koonce, Adam Butler and Jonah Laulu.

But with the vast array of additions made since March, this could be deemed as an unpredictable unit. However, unpredictable doesn't mean unproven.

The Raiders have obtained a lot of talent entering into prime. Look no further than linebacking tandem Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean in the middle of the field. The former Georgia Bulldogs teammates combined for 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss with their respective NFC teams in 2025.

"I think we're coming together pretty well," Walker said. "We have different personnel. We're moving a lot of guys around. ... We're flowing around pretty good."

Dean is handling green dot duties in camp so far, which has been beneficial for Walker who's been seen playing in multiple spots in the front seven.

"It's pretty fun honestly. It just like pretty much just puts me at ease," Walker said. "Not saying my mind is not still going, because that's me, regardless of whatever the situation is. But like I just said, it just kind of freed me up a little bit that way I can just focus on certain things instead of actually having to get the call."

Behind Dean and Walker is an upstart secondary still finding their way with several first and second year players poised to get a lot of reps at cornerback, including rookies Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses alongside Darien Porter.

"Everybody [is] going to have their own growing pains and all that stuff, but that's part of it. This is training camp," Eric Stokes said of the cornerback room. "That's why we [were] just talking on the sideline, man. Go out there and practice things that you don't normally do, that you don't really want to try. I'd rather for you to mess up here than you get out of game and you mess it up."

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The safety room added Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson through the draft, who like Dean and Walker, were college teammates at Arizona.

"We don't have the luxury of time to develop relationships and when they know each other, it does help," Leonard said. "And to create that brotherhood and you're looking for that connection ... that's really important. I believe in that wholeheartedly."

Even with an array of new players, the secondary still has veterans Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao to rely on for guidance. Not to mention Taron Johnson, a former second-team All-Pro nickelback who the team acquired from the Bills.

So based off potential, it could emerge into a formidable unit throughout training camp. But once again, only time will tell.

Yet while there may be questions regarding the identity of the defense, there are none regarding their mentality.

"No scheme will save you in this league," Leonard stated emphatically. "If you're having M.E.s (mental errors), if you're not playing hard, if you're not taking the ball away, those are like the red blinking meter that something's not right. You're doing too much or guys can't do what you're asking.

"And so, as long as the execution and the effort and the fundamentals are right, then you know you're headed in the right direction."

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Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum (65) before practice at 2026 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.