Las Vegas Raiders rookie keeps it all the way real about how serious things have gotten in training camp
The Las Vegas Raiders are having a really good training camp, and rookie Treydan Stukes is understanding where he’s at.
The Las Vegas Raiders got a promising glimpse of the mentality their 2026 draft class is bringing to training camp. Second-round pick Treydan Stukes, the former Arizona safety and nickelback, delivered a message that should resonate with every Raiders fan paying attention to how this new regime is building its culture.
The glitz and the glamour are over. It’s back to the grind. It’s back to the bottom of the totem pole.
That’s exactly what you want to hear from a rookie, and it’s especially encouraging from a defensive back who has every reason to be confident. Stukes played nearly every position in the secondary during his time at Arizona, and he did it well enough to earn a second-round selection. But confidence and entitlement are two different things, and Stukes clearly understands the difference.
The Raiders’ culture is being set from the top
What makes Stukes’ comments even more meaningful is the context surrounding them. Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, a former Heisman winner and national champion, started training camp as the third-string quarterback. He has since worked his way up to the second string. If the face of the franchise is willing to start at the bottom and grind his way up, nobody else has an excuse.
That kind of tone-setting matters. When your highest-drafted player operates with that level of humility, it trickles down to the rest of the roster. Stukes clearly took notice.
Where does Stukes fit on the Raiders defense?
Heading into training camp, there was a legitimate question about where Stukes would line up. At Arizona, he played what was called an “F-Kat” position, where he would start in the slot at nickel and work his way back to a free safety, center-fielder type role. Many expected the Raiders to deploy him in a similar fashion.
Instead, Stukes has been working primarily as the backup to nickelback Taron Johnson. He has received only a handful of starter reps behind Johnson, though he has also gotten some work at safety behind the starters.
Johnson signed a one-year deal with Las Vegas, and there’s no guarantee he locks down the role. There’s a reason the Buffalo Bills traded him for so little. If Johnson struggles, Stukes slides right in at nickel. If Johnson plays well, the Raiders have options. They could move Stukes to free safety, where Isaiah Pola-Mao hasn’t been particularly impressive. They could also consider him at strong safety, though the Raiders would likely prefer a veteran option in that spot.
Either way, Stukes has a path to meaningful playing time. The question isn’t whether he’ll contribute. It’s where and how soon.
Stukes is showing why the Raiders selected him in the second round
The maturity on display from Stukes is noteworthy. He knows he’s at the bottom of the totem pole, and he’s embracing it. That kind of approach from a second-round pick shows a level of self-awareness that doesn’t always come naturally to young players entering the league.
Stukes will end up being a great player for the Raiders. Vegas drafted him for a reason, and he’s already showing why. He was one of the better overall players from this draft class, and as preseason games approach, we’re going to get a real look at what the Raiders have in store for him.
No more glitz and glamour. Just work.
