After the Raiders used the expected top pick in this year’s draft on Fernando Mendoza, they went defense heavy over the final two days, with six of nine picks going to the defensive side of the ball. They addressed several needs with those picks.
Every position on the defense had a need, though. Therfore, every position could see a returning player unseated by a rookie.
Defensive line
- OUT: JJ Pegues
- IN: Brandon Cleveland
While fellow 2025 rookie Tonka Hemingway made some plays on defense, we didn’t see much from Pegues. With the switch to a 3-4, it would seem the 6-2, 325-pounder could have a more defined role. But the former sixth round pick won’t be the frontrunner for that spot. He will have rookie seventh round pick Brandon Cleveland as well as priority undrafted rookie Gary Smith II in the mix as well. Though, based on experience, the favorite is probably recent veteran addition Benito Jones.
EDGE rusher
- OUT: Malcolm Koonce
- IN: Keyron Crawford
Koonce enters what is a third consecutive contract year with the Raiders. His initial contract year ended with him putting up eight sacks in the final nine games. And at this point, he’s still living off that stretch of games. The following year ended before it began due to an injury. Then he re-signed to a one-year deal only to see just three starts and put up 4.5 sacks. This is likely his last shot, and he will have third round rookie fighting hard to take his snaps this season too.
Linebacker
- OUT: Tommy Eichenberg
- IN: Xavien Sorey Jr
For the second year in a row, the Raiders changed out their linebacking corps. Never considering Eichenberg as a viable option to start. They had hoped the former fifth rounder could be an eventual starter, but that isn’t looking like it will happen without an injury opening up a spot. And perhaps not even then.
Sorey was given a draftable grade this year, but went undrafted. At a position severely lacking in depth, he has a good chance of not only making the roster, but possibly pushing out the third-year Eichenberg.
Cornerback
- OUT: Darien Porter, Decamerion Richardson
- IN: Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses
Porter was a Pete Carroll type of pick. A big cornerback. He also bounced back and forth from the starting lineup with Kyu Blu Kelly last season. Now, Porter is a former wide receiver, so he has some developing he could do. But McCoy is ready now and had first round talent. His only concern is the possibility that a knee issue could shorten his career. But as of now, McCoy is healthy and practicing. And it’s possible that continues. If so, he should bump Porter out of a starting role.
As for Richardson, in two years, the former fourth round pick hasn’t risen to the challenge. Masses was selected in the fifth round and would figure to be given every opportunity to take Richardson’s roster spot.
Safety
- OUT: Isaiah Pola-Mao
- IN: Treydan Stukes
The Raiders’ prioritized safety in this draft because they wanted an upgrade over Pola-Mao. Stukes was their second pick of the draft after taking franchise QB Fernando Mendoza with the top overal pick. That status puts Stukes in the position where the Raiders would like for him to be the starter right away.
Should Stukes take over as the starter, it doesn’t mean Pola-Mao would be out of the mix entirely. Stukes can line up at nickel as well and if he did, then Pola-Mao could come back in free safety.
Also see: 5 young Raiders on OFFENSE who could unseat veterans
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: 6 young Raiders on defense who could unseat veterans in 2026