There were a lot of questions when the Las Vegas Raiders drafted defensive back Treydan Stukes. Some of the questions from the fan base were more focused on who Stukes was. He was a late riser in the draft, but a guy worthy of the pick.

Other questions presented themselves, like, is this guy going to be a safety, nickel, or even a boundary corner at the next level? Stukes played over 1,100 career snaps in the slot, 900-plus career snaps at corner, and 36 snaps at free safety. Not to mention, he played that F-Kat position for Arizona, which is a hybrid role of a slot and free safety. He can really do it all.

“So, I got the chance to kind of play some safety, play some nickel, play some middle field safety in all types of different ways, and different looks,” Stukes told reporters on Saturday.

“I got to learn defensive concepts, instead of just, ‘What do I do in this play’, and playing a memory game,” Stukes told reporters when asked about his versatility. “Being under Coach G and Coach [Brett] Arce and those guys, they taught us a lot about schemes and how the defenses work and how you fit into that scheme. It’s definitely been helpful taking this step here, so I understand what’s going on, what we’re trying to accomplish, and understand my role within it.”

And because he can and because there are so many needs, many wanted to know what his primary position would be.

Treydan Stukes was not primarily at safety during rookie minicamp

At practice on Saturday, many media members reported that he was primarily at the slot all practice long, while rookie safety Dalton Johnson was working at the safety position. This doesn’t really mean anything, because not every player is there at minicamp. In fact, it’s just rookies or players on a tryout basis.

Styles has been predominantly at nickel in team reps, with Johnson playing mostly deep safety. https://t.co/eWxA48CmqU

— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) May 2, 2026

“Yeah, that’s obviously a question that’s better suited for them, but I’m going to learn them both, and wherever I can fit best and help the team win some games, that’s what I’m going to do, baby,” Stukes said when asked what he is going to primarily play.

The initial thought is that Stukes will be the free-safety type, roaming the field and able to play centerfield. Some people in NFL front offices think Stukes could end up being the second-best safety in this class behind Caleb Downs.

He can be that slot player the Raiders will need when Taron Johnson’s deal ends after 2026. Or, he can be that zone and coverage safety they desperately need right now and in the future. A lot of teams seem to be thinking he will be a star in this league. So, the Raiders traded back to get him. Depending on how they finish out the roster, depends a lot on what Stukes will be playing.

Do they keep a backup nickel for Johnson, choosing Vance? He performed well as an undrafted free agent, playing 66 snaps, targeted seven times with only four catches allowed for 47 yards, and 94 intended air yards against. Or do Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson, rookie safeties, fill that backup nickel spot, opting for another boundary corner? Johnson has 441 career slot snaps in college. Doing that takes them away from being the center fielders the Raiders likely love them as in this scheme.

Although Isaiah Pola-Mao did play 102 slot snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. And, according to Sports Info Solutions, he was targeted five times while in the slot, allowed two catches for 12 yards, and had an interception. So, maybe he takes on that role.

Treydan Stukes’ game and what he did in college

Stukes is a very athletic mover and has as fluid a set of hips as it gets. Oftentimes, when a safety is turning, there is lag, or their speed slows down, but you don’t really get that with Stukes. To make things even better, Stukes is exceptional at recovering to undercut late throws. Stukes has some of the best instincts in the draft, too, especially when the ball is in the air.

At Arizona last season, he finished with a PFF coverage grade of 94.0. He was targeted 39 times and allowed only 23 catches for 200 yards, and no touchdowns allowed in coverage. Stukes had six forced incompletions. Stukes had a 34.4 passer rating allowed when QBs targeted him. He also didn’t commit a single penalty last year, and in fact hadn’t committed one since 2023.

The Raiders got a versatile player in the secondary, and they’re going to use him by any means necessary. Regardless, the defense is better for it.