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.

[CWood24]

Yep, we can get our NT in the later rounds.

The same argument can be had for OL especially on the interior

There aren't many true elite NT out there as when teams get them they keep them, i’m not staunchly saying draft a Kayden MacDonald or Lee Hunter in the 1st or 2nd but they would not be bad picks if we did

Potential Elite 3-4 NT are harder to find than any other position outside QB we could possibly lock down the two hardest positions to find in the NFL this year then we could build both sides

Spytek has come from the Bucs where they are big believers in building the trenches so DL over OL at 14 could be a possibility

I wouldn't be mad at either Mendoza / Ioane or Mendoza / MacDonald

[CWood24]

The difference between Hunter and Darrell Johnson is not that great. I would consider that before I use the 2nd pick on Hunter. I like Hunter but I really like Johnson's value pick status.

I’m just spitballing with the idea of Kayden MacDonald but he could be in play

Dontay Corleone has caught my eye for the past couple of year & i don’t see much in it between him & Johnson ot Hunter

There are a few NT out there only MacDonald & Corleone have really caught my eye

[Attyla]

I’m just spitballing with the idea of Kayden MacDonald but he could be in play

Dontay Corleone has caught my eye for the past couple of year & i don’t see much in it between him & Johnson ot Hunter

There are a few NT out there only MacDonald & Corleone have really caught my eye

It will be interesting to see if Leonard gets a day 2 pick. I hope we don't totally ignore the defense but I want the offense ready for Mendoza.

[BoKnows81]

The same argument can be had for OL especially on the interior

There aren't many true elite NT out there as when teams get them they keep them, i’m not staunchly saying draft a Kayden MacDonald or Lee Hunter in the 1st or 2nd but they would not be bad picks if we did

Potential Elite 3-4 NT are harder to find than any other position outside QB we could possibly lock down the two hardest positions to find in the NFL this year then we could build both sides

Spytek has come from the Bucs where they are big believers in building the trenches so DL over OL at 14 could be a possibility

I wouldn't be mad at either Mendoza / Ioane or Mendoza / MacDonald

Oh I completely agree. The only interior O lineman worthy of taking at 14 is Ioane in my opinion. I love Hunter as well and wouldnt be opposed to either in the 2nd but O line is priority.

[CWood24]

It will be interesting to see if Leonard gets a day 2 pick. I hope we don't totally ignore the defense but I want the offense ready for Mendoza.

If we go Mendoza / Ioane like most of us seem to want then Day 2 has be defence IMO well unless a stud somehow falls

Jacob Rodriguez (LB) & Deontay Corleone (NT) are the 2 i’m all in on

Again it all depends on how we attack FA as they may want to spend on the OL to have experienced OL in front of Mendoza rather than have rookies growing with him

[TrueFan420]

The same argument can be had for OL especially on the interior

There aren't many true elite NT out there as when teams get them they keep them, i’m not staunchly saying draft a Kayden MacDonald or Lee Hunter in the 1st or 2nd but they would not be bad picks if we did

Potential Elite 3-4 NT are harder to find than any other position outside QB we could possibly lock down the two hardest positions to find in the NFL this year then we could build both sides

Spytek has come from the Bucs where they are big believers in building the trenches so DL over OL at 14 could be a possibility

I wouldn't be mad at either Mendoza / Ioane or Mendoza / MacDonald

I’d like to trade down from 14 to get Lee Hunter. I don’t think he makes it 36 and he’d be a huge huge get for our defense. Not sexy but sets the stage for everyone else to be effective. It’s a super important pick to get right.

[CWood24]

I’d like to trade down from 14 to get Lee Hunter. I don’t think he makes it 36 and he’d be a huge huge get for our defense. Not sexy but sets the stage for everyone else to be effective. It’s a super important pick to get right.

If your trading down to get Hunter then i think you’d be better staying at 14 & taking MacDonald i know you get the extra pick or so but i think MacDonald has more upside

I wouldn't be mad at Hunter either as i have said beofre to build a 3-4 defence that can flourish it starts at the NT position

[Willmark]

I'd say the Defense just got a Hell of a lot better...

[vtraider]

I'd say the Defense just got a Hell of a lot better...

Couldn't have gotten much worse

[SkullCrusher]

WTF are you talking about? They have a pro bowl QB.

And that was with a OL just slightly better than ours.

[Willmark]

There seems to be picture forming. The D-line is going to likely be a soft spot this year regardless of who we draft but they at least have some pieces to help spread everything out. Likely the best plan for 2026.

Linebackers got a Hell of a lot better.

Secondary, while they aren't going to be elite I don't see it as being horrific either.

If we can have the D somewhere between 17-20 this year? That's a huge win in my book. And don't forget. If the Offense improves that helps the D.

[Be_Easy_25]

We have to grab an NT in the draft this year right?

1. We have to have one.
2. If the guy needs to develop some, no point in kicking the can down the road.

[BoKnows81]

Good thing is, DT is deep this year. We can get starters (for us) later. But yes, we need to draft at least 2.

[haji81872]

I think Hunter will be there for us in the second. MacDonald at 14 is just too high. There are simply better players available.

[mstrbass2000]

we can trade down to the early 20's and still grab one of the top 3 dt in this draft while picking up an xtra pick