Raiders add six potential starters on defense via NFL draft, free agency

With so much of the Raiders’ offseason focus on new quarterback Fernando Mendoza, it’s easy to overlook how many changes and additions they made to their defense.

Between the draft and free agency, they potentially added up to six new starters, completely overhauled their inside linebacker room and infused that side of the ball with youth and playmaking ability.

A look at where things stand with the Raiders’ defensive depth chart, after free agency and draft:

Defensive line

Starters: DE Maxx Crosby, NT Adam Butler, DT Jonah Laulu

Reserves: Thomas Booker, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Brandon Cleveland, Brodric Martin, Treven Ma’ae, Laki Tasi, Gary Smith III

The skinny: The Raiders are moving from a base 4-3 defense to a 3-4, so it will be interesting to monitor how it plays out in terms of who lines up where and who steps up at nose tackle. Crosby’s alignment could change a bit compared to the past, with him rushing off the edge from a stand-up position being a real possibility. Laulu has grown and developed since coming on board in 2024 and could be positioned for a big season in Year 3. The Raiders feel they have improved the depth by bringing in Booker, Hemingway, Butler and Cleveland over the last year.

Bottom line: Crosby remains one of the NFL’s true game-changers, but the Raiders need some of their young players to step up on the interior by occupying blockers to free up linebackers to make plays and by creating interior push in run defense and as pass rushers.

Linebacker

Starters: Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Kwity Paye, Malcolm Koonce

Reserves: Keyron Crawford, Jahfari Harvey, Brennan Jackson, Cian Slone, Tommy Eichenberg, Segun Olubi, Cody Lindenberg, Xavian Sorey Jr.

The Raiders went heavy in free agency to address their inside linebacker position by adding Walker and Dean on three-year contracts. They immediately lift a room that needed major help, and with both just now entering their primes, they provide immediate and long-term help. Paye and Koonce will play off the edge when the Raiders are in their base 3-4 defense.

Cornerback

Starters: Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Taron Johnson

Reserves: Jermod McCoy, Chigozie Anusiem, Greedy Vance, Hezekiah Masses, DeCamerion Richardson, Caleb Offord

The skinny: The Raiders took a flier on Stokes on a one-year deal last year, and the former Packers first-round pick more than delivered. First and foremost, he stayed healthy, which was an issue for him in Green Bay, but he also provided a high level of play. The Raiders rewarded him with a three-year contract. They added Johnson in a trade with the Bills, and he will fill a big role as the slot cornerback.

Porter, a third-round pick last year, flashed promise and upside when he got on the field as a rookie, and he and McCoy, a fourth-round pick this year, will battle for the starting role opposite Stokes. McCoy was considered a top-15 draft pick and was largely regarded as CB1, but issues with his surgically repaired knee resulted in a draft weekend fall. If he can stay healthy, the Raiders got a steal at that point in the draft. Richardson faces a big year in his third season and will have a fight on his hands from Masses for a roster spot and playing time.

Bottom line: Stokes and Johnson are virtual certainties at their positions, but for the Raiders’ cornerback room to go from a liability to a strength, Porter or McCoy needs to hold down the perimeter spot opposite Stokes at a high level, and the young depth pieces need to be ready to perform in a hurry. If there is any hesitation about that post-OTAs, this could be a position the Raiders circle back to for reinforcements.

Safety

Starters: Jeremy Chinn, Treydan Stukes

Reserves: Isaiah Pola-Mao, Tristin McCollum, Dalton Johnson, Terrell Edmunds, Tanner Wall, Devyn Perkins

The skinny: With Johnson in the fold at slot cornerback, it opens up the possibility of Chinn playing more of a traditional safety role. It also helps that Stukes, a rookie second-round pick from Arizona, can play in the slot as well. Pola-Mao, a starter for two seasons, could return to a role as a rotational player in the Raiders’ sub packages.

Bottom line: The Raiders significantly improved their overall secondary, emphasizing safety in the draft by selecting Stukes and Johnson, a pair of Arizona teammates. Stukes has a chance to be a cornerstone player for years.  

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