Ranking Raiders defensive position groups ahead of start of 2026 season

Levi Damien, Raiders WireSun, September 6, 2026 at 7:12 PM UTC

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While it was the Raiders offense that needed the most work done on it this offseason, the defense was not exactly all set either. Let's put some rankings together to see the strongest and weakest positions.

1. Edge rusher

Starters: Maxx Crosby Kwity Paye

Depth: Malcolm Koonce, Patrick Johnson

Question marks: Will Crosby still be here after the trade deadline? The Raiders traded him this offseason only to have their deal with the Ravens fall through. The Cowboys were hot after Crosby before the Raiders agreed to terms with the Ravens. If the Raiders think it could stil be in their long term best interest, they would still be listening.

2. Defensive interior

Starters: Tonka Hemingway, Adam Butler

Depth: Jonah Laulu, Thomas Booker IV, Folurunso Fatukasi, JJ Pegues

Question marks: A dominant starter. The Raiders love what they see from second-year man Tonka Hemingway. Now we will see if their confidence is justified. Butler has underwhelmed since he landed his long term extension last year. They have a good rotation at the position, but no one that truly dominates. And they are hoping they have found their nose tackle in Fatukasi.

3. Safety

Starters: Jeremy Chinn Treydan Stukes

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Depth: Isaiah Pola-Mao, Tristin McCollum

Question marks: Rookie starter. The Raiders made safety a priority in this year's draft due to Pola-Mao's struggles at the position last season. Stukes worked his way up to the starting job this camp and preseason. But was that mostly just a matter of his high second round draft position and thus the staff's plans all along? Or did he show he's ready to take that job? We shall see.

4. Linebacker

Starters: Quay Walker Nakobe Dean

Depth: Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Lindenberg, Segun Olubi

Question marks: Depth. There is none. The 'bergs' have had their issues, even when lining up against mostly opposing backups. Mostly they're special teams guys. There really isn't a great third option should either Walker or Dean be lost to injury.

5. Cornerback

Starters: Eric Stokes, Taron Johnson, Darien Porter

Depth: Darrell Luter, Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses

Question marks: Basically, you have Stokes and Johnson as proven starters and that's pretty much it. Porter enters his second season and could take a step forward. The Raiders claimed Luter off waivers from the 49ers because they don't feel comfortable with the two rookies being one snap away from starting.

Also see: Ranking Raiders offensive position groups ahead of Week 1

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Ranking Raiders defensive position groups ahead of start of 2026 season

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