When Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek overhauled nearly his entire defensive corps with rookies, a statement was being made. The Raiders chose to focus on their own young group of talent and develop them in-house rather than keep overpaying free agents and hoping for the best. He definitely got some signs of promise out of this draft season. Let’s take a look at some of the productive defensive rookies of the preseason.
One starter and three rotators
Higher draft selections come with higher
expectations and greater potential than others. Grading rookies is more about gauging the frequency of flash plays along with the consistency of elevated play. Undrafted free agents have a tougher row to hoe must hit the scene and play at a level no one can deny.
Treydan Stukes – 2nd Round: Stukes has all but officially snatched Isaiah Palo Mao’s starting free safety spot. Initially, there were concerns as he needed some time to earn his place amongst the ones on defense. Stukes has learned what it is he’s supposed to do and is beginning to play faster and faster. Stukes has the throwback size and elite speed to cover all kinds of ground and make plays. As his confidence has grown so has his play.
Keyron Crawford – 3rd Round: Crawford can be summed up in one word: RAW. Crawford has limitless potential and only knows one speed. Learning to harness the speed for when he needs it while playing under control will help him transcend into possibly an elite athlete off the edge.
Jermod McCoy – 4th Round: McCoy has shown why he is so highly regarded every time he takes the field. His mirror technique is nearly flawless. He stays in phase and has been removing his assignment from the quarterback’s option list. Watching him knock off the rust and absolutely strap up receivers has been a thing of beauty to behold. Locating the football in the air is a skill that, once he acquires and perfects, the sky is the limit for McCoy.
Hezekiah Masses – 5th Round: Masses is another of the California Golden Bears’ finest. Former Cal head coach Justin Wilcox has produced a plethora of excellent defensive backs during his expired tenure in Berkeley, Ca; Masses fits right in with the rest of them.
Quality depth pieces
Cian Slone – UDFA: Slone plays like he’s Maxx Crosby’s little brother out there. The former North Carolina State Wolfpack outside linebacker is pure dynamite every time he steps out on the field. His talents appear to have earned him a roster spot with a contributing role on defense. As an edge, Slone isn’t the biggest or the fastest, but at six-foot-three and 238 pounds, he is out-hustling everyone, winning reps and making plays with a unique blend of technique and maximization of his abilities. He hasn’t made the team yet, but one would imagine he should soon.
Dalton Johnson – 5th Round: Johnson has been a hellhound on special teams and is slowly coming along in terms of being an NFL strong safety. Johnson has made great play after play on special teams. Displaying amazing kick coverage and open-field tackling. As a safety, he will be a depth piece behind Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Palo Mao.
Practice squad
Brandon Cleveland – 7th Round: Cleveland is an interesting player who you have to be able to watch football away from the ball to see how he is getting down. Some players eat double teams; others find a way to survive them. Cleveland survives NFL double teams but dominates single blockers. Cleveland has the look of a player who will find himself on the practice squad for a year, maybe two, while he refines his hand fighting and gets better at fending off double teams.
