2026 Defense thread

[STHfrontrow]

This defense doesn't have much talent at all especially after the Maxx trade. 1st time Def Coach Rob Leonard really doesn't haven't much to work with but that should change.

Are we leading with Wilson & Chinn?

Figure the Raiders might draft 1 or 2 defensive players within the 4 picks they have in the top of the draft that might be day one starters. Looks like overall though this defense is going to be built through free agency.

Thoughts.

[raider_kin]

We do need a safety. Listing Laulu at NT only highlights the need there. Laulu might be a good fit as a 3-4 DE though.

Laulu currently listed on Raiders.com as weight 289? What? That's barely enough for a 3 tech

[mstrbass2000]

Which is why this is def a 2-3 year build. Hopefully 2 cause we signed a bunch of dudes to 3 year contracts.

if we can get 2 big nt/dt types this defense could hit top 10 this yr, you screw up and dont get 2 huge nt/dt and this defense is in the 20's and its a 2 to 3 yr build and you better not be 3 yr build cause almost all of those deals done this yr will be bumping up for renewals after yr 2

[BoJacksonRules]

A starting NT and a starting RT seem like the highest priorities to me

[Rdrfan1964]

A starting NT and a starting RT seem like the highest priorities to me

With the question still being, can rookies step right in and start. Seems like some NFL experience might help!

[Toast]

With the question still being, can rookies step right in and start. Seems like some NFL experience might help!

I already posted this on another thread but the 1981 49ers started three rookies in their secondary in 1981. If we can find some answers in the draft, play em...

[Rabidraider]

Looking at the defense on paper we are a great nose tackle from being really really good on defense. Like top 15.

[mstrbass2000]

Looking at the defense on paper we are a great nose tackle from being really really good on defense. Like top 15.

thats how i see it too...we need a big strong n/t-dt our team current has too many 3 techs or under sized dt ...we could use an upgrade at safety too

[CWood24]

Of all the years to need a NT then we seemed to have lucked into a good year for them, usually you see a couple but there might be 4 or 5 this year with real athletic upside that aren't just there to anchor against OL

Kayden MacDonald, Lee Hunter, Dontay Corleone & Domonique Orange are the 4 i’d be in on Day 2 especially Corleone


With Caleb Banks injury i wouldn't mind throwing one of those late 4th’s or a 5th at him if he drops that low, i know he has the foot injury but he has immense potential & in those rounds you could be getting a player

Adding Corleone & Banks to our DL would be a good haul

[mstrbass2000]

Of all the years to need a NT then we seemed to have lucked into a good year for them, usually you see a couple but there might be 4 or 5 this year with real athletic upside that aren't just there to anchor against OL

Kayden MacDonald, Lee Hunter, Dontay Corleone & Domonique Orange are the 4 i’d be in on Day 2 especially Corleone


With Caleb Banks injury i wouldn't mind throwing one of those late 4th’s or a 5th at him if he drops that low, i know he has the foot injury but he has immense potential & in those rounds you could be getting a player

Adding Corleone & Banks to our DL would be a good haul

i agree very deep class at dt/nt types that can dominate, id also love to pick up a vet at the position cause we need big bodies if were gonna play 3/4

[vtraider]

Looking at the defense on paper we are a great nose tackle from being really really good on defense. Like top 15.

I think nose and free safety away

[RN4L75]

I keep hitting Tacario Davis and Bud Clark in the 4th round of my simulations and would not be too upset if that happens.

[Viper]

We are at the beginning of a rebuild as we trotted out a defense every week that had maybe 2-3 players that would crack a starting role on most teams. We now have some young players that will surely help but depth is lacking.

Maxx isn’t the only kid on the field with a slingshot this year, assuming he stays.

[raidersince63]

I've been pimping Tommy since the day he was drafted.


https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tommy ... 00830.html

[KillerRaider30]

Alot of insight here.

[Sold My Soul]

Las Vegas Raiders defense

Improvement of any kind would have been a win for the Raiders, especially on defense — and in truth, the bar for improvement was low to begin with. The Raiders defense finished the season with a 49.1 PFF grade, dead last in the NFL, and ranked 22nd in EPA per play allowed. The concerning lack of talent in the secondary meant the defense compiled a 33.3 PFF coverage grade, 29th among defenses. Upgrades were needed, and only the Tennessee Titans spent more money in free agency than the Raiders.

Losing defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was a big hole to fill. Graham had arguably helped the Raiders’ defense outperform its expectations over the last few seasons and is one of the better defensive coordinators in the NFL, but former run game coordinator and defensive line coach Rob Leonard will have an improved unit to work with after the Raiders were aggressive in free agency.

The Raiders' two big free agency signings on the defensive side of the ball were linebackers Quay Walker (46.0 grade; 76th) and Nakobe Dean (62.2 grade; 43rd). The pair struggled for different reasons in 2025 but wreaked havoc upon college offenses for the Georgia Bulldogs across two seasons. Both have shown that they can utilize their skill sets in the NFL. The money on Walker’s contract raises questions, and Dean also carries injury concerns, but in terms of giving the Raiders some juice at the second level, it’s a huge upgrade.

The secondary upgraded the slot, thanks to the addition of former Buffalo Bills’ cornerback Taron Johnson (57.9 grade; 74th), whose PFF grade has dipped below 60.0 in the last two seasons. Nonetheless, he can still provide serviceable starter play in a position of need for Las Vegas. Importantly, the Raiders were also able to improve their edge situation.

Re-signing Malcolm Koonce (59.1 grade; 83rd) to a one-year contract is a nice move to help provide edge depth. Koonce struggled to get back to his 2023 form after tearing his ACL and missing the entirety of the 2024 NFL season, but if he can get closer to that form next season, he’ll certainly be a plus.

Signing Kwity Paye (59.0 grade; 85th) gives the Raiders a strong force against the run, even if his pass-rushing has yet to really come on after five seasons in the NFL. Paye has earned a 65.0-plus PFF run-defense grade in each of the last four seasons, and there is still time for him to grow as a pass-rusher. Especially if he plays across from Maxx Crosby (79.7 grade; 15th). Crosby is back with the team after the Baltimore Ravens pulled out of their trade for the five-time Pro Bowler, and though he could still end up being dealt again, for now, there’s a good chance he remains in Las Vegas — and that will absolutely make the Raiders a better defense.