Things could get better (or worse) for the Las Vegas Raiders' defense this upcoming season.
May 28, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby warms up during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn ImagesDefensive line coach Rob Leonard is now the defensive coordinator, implementing a similar system to that of his former coach, Mike Macdonald, with the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks. General manager John Spytek added talent to all three levels of the defense this offseason through the NFL Draft, with notable acquisitions ofNakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and drafting safety Treydan Stukes and pass rusher Keyron Crawford.
May 20, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker practices during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn Images A Raiders defense that was in the bottom half in points per game allowed and middle of the pack in passing yards and rushing yards allowed per game last season, the hirings and additions on the coaching staff and roster make a lot to be excited about.
Today, I look at one best- and worst-case scenario for the 2026 Raiders defense. May 20, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes practices during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn Images Outside of Maxx Crosby, the Raiders' defense is fairly young across the board.
You can look at every position on this unit and get giddy at the ceiling of each of the first- and second-year players. I'm genuinely excited about what cornerback Darien Porter can doStukes at nickel , Tonka Hemingway and Jonah Laulu at defensive tackle, and third-round pick Keyron Crawford.
This is not to mention whether a healthy Jermod McCoy would suit up by Week 1 or at any point this season.like that could transform the Raiders' secondary. In this scenario, that's exactly what happens as the young defense takes a big step under Leonard, making Las Vegas a place no offense wants to play .
Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach Rob Leonard against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Las Vegas' young defense can also be the catalyst in itself.
Whenever you have a young team on either side of the ball, there will be growing pains as these players continue to adjust to the speed of the NFL; it happens like clockwork, and the Raiders' defense could be no exception. Sure, they may have made some upgrades at linebacker, but football is a team sport—Dean and Walker can't succeed in the trenches without a sound defensive front or better communication on the back end.
Oddly enough, having a stagnant defense in 2026 is not entirely out of the realm of possibilities. These young defenders will have bad moments, some that are even costly in critical moments of a game. The lack of progression could certainly lead to yet another average defensive performance this upcoming season. Loading recommendations...
Please wait while we load personalized content recommendationsJared Feinberg, a native of western North Carolina, has written about NFL football for nearly a decade. He has contributed to several national outlets and is now part of our On SI team as an NFL team reporter. Jared graduated from UNC Asheville with a bachelor's degree in mass communications and later pursued his master's degree at UNC Charlotte. You can follow Jared Feinberg on Twitter at @JRodNFLDraft
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