Even before the 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders fans were made aware of the kind of impact that Treydan Stukes could make on Rob Leonard's defense. The versatile, athletic, instictual and seasoned rookie had a lot thrown at him during the spring, and by all accounts, he was poised to start in Week 1.
But the highly-billed player didn't exactly get off to a hot start at training camp in Las Vegas. He didn't play with the first-team defense at all for the first week or so, and he reportedly struggled in 1-on-1 drills. Those aren't really his speed or critical for his role anyway, but a worrisome picture was painted.
As expected, though, Stukes is starting to rebound and turn the corner as the first preseason game approaches. He is now mixing in with the 1s on defense, starting to make some plays and garnering a lot of praise and attention from his coaches during media sessions.
Raiders rookie DB Treydan Stukes is coming into his own at training camp
Learning both the nickel and free safety spots can be a lot for a young player. Even Kyle Hamilton, who Raiders safety coach Matt Robinson compared Stukes to, got off to a slow start as a rookie with these responsibilities, as The Athletic's Ted Nguyen noted.
But Stukes is starting to gain traction already.
ESPN's Ryan McFadden mentioned that, last Thursday, Stukes got his first rep with the first-team defense. It was only one snap, but still. Progress. Later in that practice, while working with the 2s, Stukes broke up a pass across the middle that was thrown by Fernando Mendoza.
That was the first big play fans had heard of Stukes making, so that was another positive omen. The Athletic's Sam Warren also reported that, last Friday, Stukes rotated in a bit more with the top group on defense, and that he "looked good."
Various reports have come in since then that have indicated that Stukes' role is growing with the first team, and that he is responding to the challenge. Perhaps even better than what the media is reporting, though, is what the Raiders' coaches are saying about the young player.
Treydan Stukes receiving praise from Raiders' coaching staff as slow build at camp continues
Safeties coach Matt Robinson, who effusively praised Stukes during the spring, was back at the podium after a practice last week. He was asked about Stukes' progress thus far, and his position coach, even before he started rotating in with the 1s, had liked what he had seen.
"He's doing well," Robinson told reporters. "As a rookie, with handling the amount of install that we have and putting it into a new defense, it can be a lot. But he's a smart kid, and he's taken to it. He's picked it up well. For him moving forward, it's just about trusting his keys, trusting his eyes, and now going out and making plays and letting his talent shine. I don't want to slow him down, but he’s picking up the install, and I can't wait to see how he progresses. With the preseason coming up, I expect to see a lot of him and watch him go out there and make plays."
The preseason will be critical for Stukes, as he'll have a chance in a live setting with everyone watching to separate himself as a starting-level player on this team. But Klint Kubiak still sees a role for him either way, as the Raiders' head coach lauded Stukes' special teams ability.
"I like how hard he plays special teams," Kubiak said to the media. "He's a guy that's going to challenge guys for spots in many places on defense and on teams. But I like that he's a team-first guy, and it shows up in the way that he plays teams."
Even after beginning to rotate in with the 1s, the Raiders have Stukes playing many roles on special teams at practice. And even though things have not gone exactly how Stukes likely wanted them to in the early going, the young rookie is gaining confidence.
"I feel good," Stukes stated. "I definitely feel like I'm coming along, gaining confidence with the team, building trust with my teammates and with the staff. I think it's getting more exciting. The defense is starting to click a little bit more as we keep going, and I'm super excited."
As Stukes mentioned, transitioning to the NFL isn't easy, especially when one is learning two positions, neither of which is particularly short on responsibilities.
"The game is just a little bit faster, a little more complex. It takes a lot to play this game at a high level," Stukes admitted. "And when you're trying to learn multiple positions at the same time, it's a lot of information to take on at once. I think as you get confident in the scheme and you start to understand the plays as a whole, what we're trying to accomplish with the calls, that's when it kind of slows down for you. You can immerse yourself in both positions and be able to help the defense in different ways."
Thankfully, though, Stukes has a great coaching staff and his fellow teammates to lean on, and they are helping bring him along in any way possible.
"Yeah, I'm super grateful for that. I pride myself on trying to be a smart football player, and I'm glad that they see it the same way. I want to be able to help the team with things in any way I can, and if that means learning multiple positions, then I'll keep doing that."
"I'm not going to lie, I think everyone in the DB room has been super, super helpful for me. Some guys specifically is like [Isaiah Pola-Mao], I got a chance to pick his brain all the time. [Jeremy Chinn and] Tristin McCollum have helped me a lot. I'm out there with them a good amount, so I think we have a really good defensive back room, especially the safety group that I've been working alongside. They've been helping me a lot."
Stukes knows that he has a long way to go, though, so he is honing his mindset and looking for any way to contribute and help this team in a selfless way.
"It kind of is what it is, in the sense that you took the next step already. All the glitz and glamor is gone now. It's back to the grind. You're at the bottom of the totem pole. And if you want to help the team win games, you got to come out here, and you got to do your best every single day. Keep getting better every single day. I think I've just done a good job of trying to take it one day at a time, find something to improve on, and just go from there."
After a quiet start to camp for Stukes, it sounds like the second-round pick is turning the corner in Las Vegas. The Raiders' defense has a much higher ceiling with Stukes starting or at least in the rotation, so he must continue growing as the 2026 NFL season approaches.
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