Las Vegas Raiders’ Young Defensive Backfield Faces Preseason Test Ahead of Roster Cut Deadline

The Las Vegas Raiders are facing ongoing questions about their defensive backfield as the team relies on a youthful secondary during the 2026 National Football League (NFL) preseason. With NFL franchises required to trim their rosters down to 53 players by an August 30 deadline, the Raiders are working to address lingering pass-coverage difficulties while giving key development snaps to several inexperienced cornerbacks and safeties.

Las Vegas’ defensive back rotation features multiple recent draft picks and inexperienced players in prominent roles. Second-year cornerback Darien Porter, who transitioned to defense after playing primarily as a wide receiver in college, started 10 games during his rookie season but continues to learn the position. Fourth-round rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy is returning after missing more than a year of play due to a knee injury, while fifth-round pick Hezekiah Masses is also navigating a steep learning curve. Second-round safety Treydan Stukes is being brought along slowly as team coaches train him to play both deep safety and nickel roles.

The youthful group has experienced notable difficulties through its first two exhibition games. During a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals last week, quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II combined to complete 16 consecutive passes against the Raiders’ defense during the first half. In Thursday’s game against the Houston Texans, backup quarterback Davis Mills connected on 11 of 15 passes for 93 yards in the first half alone.

The Raiders are scheduled to conclude their exhibition schedule on August 27 against the San Francisco 49ers, who are facing roster decisions of their own. San Francisco receiver Jacob Cowing strengthened his bid for a roster spot on Thursday night by returning a punt 83 yards for a touchdown. San Francisco is also searching for a definitive choice at left guard, where rookie Carver Willis earned the start on Thursday in an ongoing battle against Connor Colby, Robert Jones, and Austen Pleasants.

Elsewhere in the league, injuries have reshaped positional battles. The Los Angeles Chargers turned to second-round rookie Jake Slaughter at center after starter Tyler Biadasz sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to his left knee on Tuesday. In his first test on Thursday night, Slaughter played nine snaps and allowed zero pressures against opposing pass rushers.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans adjusted their line alignment on Thursday, starting Trent Brown and Aireontae Ersery at the tackle positions while deploying first-round draft selection Keylan Rutledge at left guard.

Background

The NFL preseason consists of exhibition games held prior to the regular season, allowing teams to evaluate players and finalize their 53-man active rosters. Secondary positions—comprising cornerbacks and safeties—are responsible for preventing pass completions and tackling ball carriers in open field. In American football, offensive linemen protect the quarterback from defensive rushers, while special teams units handle kickoff and punt plays.