The Las Vegas Raiders had a successful 2026 NFL Draft. We all know they would take Fernando Mendoza with the first pick of the draft, but it was a mystery what they would do with the rest of their picks.
The Raiders then went to work improving their secondary by drafting safety Treydan Stukes, cornerback Jermod McCoy, safety Dalton Johnson, and cornerback Zeke Masses.
It appears the Raiders prioritized players with proven ball skills to redefine their defensive identity. This draft shows their focus on creating turnovers by selecting players who can find the football, disrupt passes, and generate takeaways, not just cover receivers.
Treydan Stukes, Safety
Stukes brings range to the safety position; he could also play some nickel. He is comfortable playing deep or in the box. Stukes has good anticipation in zone coverage and can read quarterbacks and jump routes. This past season at Arizona, he had four interceptions. He’s the type of safety who can turn tipped balls or mistakes into interceptions.
Jermod McCoy, Cornerback
McCoy, if not for injuries, would have been a first-round pick, but Las Vegas selected him in the fourth round. He stands out as a classic ‘ball skills’ corner, with a strong ability to locate the ball in the air and be aggressive at the catch point. McCoy can break up passes and force turnovers. Similarly, Masses, drafted in the fifth round, has shown natural ball-tracking ability and had five interceptions last season, emphasizing the team’s focus on playmaking corners.
Dalton Johnson, Safety
Johnson could be a developmental piece for Las Vegas. He has shown some flashes of ball skills and closing speed. Johnson and Stukes played together at Arizona, and that could bode well for the Raiders. Johnson added four interceptions this past season for the Wildcats. With Las Vegas safeties, Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao, contracts almost up, Johnson could step into the starting role soon.
Hezekiah Masses, Cornerback
The Raiders picked up Masses in the fifth round of the draft. He’s raw but has shown natural ball-tracking ability. Masses had five interceptions for California this past season. He fits the trend of targeting corners who can make plays on the ball rather than stick in coverage.
In today’s NFL, turnovers often determine game outcomes. By drafting multiple defensive backs with strong ball skills, the Raiders aim to boost interceptions and pass breakups, building a more aggressive and opportunistic defense.
