The Las Vegas Raiders are set to kick off training camp on July 29, but rookies reported to camp on July 23. So, things are pretty much underway, but not on the field just yet. Over the next month, the Raiders will work pretty much non-stop to get ready for the 2026 season.

In this next month, there will be some position battles taking place. Those position battles are set to make major headlines across the league and in the Raiders fan base. Some of those battles could completely define what the 2026 season looks like under new head coach Klint Kubiak. The free safety position is one of the more important battles heading into training camp.

First day out 😤 #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/XcxWbFw8Ff

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 23, 2026

This is one of the more complicated ones to break down. The Raiders had just three safeties coming into the offseason. They ended up drafting Treydan Stukes in the second round and Dalton Johnson in the fifth round. Both guys can play safety, but Stukes seems to be the guy that’s being talked about the most at the position. A free safety is one of the two safety positions that drops back in coverage more. The strong safety often plays more in the box.

Free safety position battle may be the biggest defensive battle to watch

Stukes can cover every spot in the secondary. He moves well and has very fluid hips. Most safeties slow down when they turn, but Stukes doesn’t have that problem. He’s also great at recovering to break up late throws. His instincts, especially when the ball is in the air, are among the best in this draft class.

He hasn’t committed a penalty since 2023. His main weakness is his average frame, but size matters less for a center fielder. Sometimes he gets caught flat-footed and could improve his tackling, but he’s willing to make tackles and isn’t afraid of contact. Stukes has played over 1,100 snaps in the slot, more than 900 at corner, and 36 at free safety. He also played the F-Kat role at Arizona, which combines slot and free safety duties. He’s shown he can handle just about anything.

Most expect Stukes to play free safety, roaming the field and covering deep. Some NFL front office members even think he could be the second-best safety in this draft class, just behind Caleb Downs.

Stukes could fill the slot role the Raiders will need after Taron Johnson’s contract ends in 2026. He could also be the zone and coverage safety they need both now and later. Many teams believe he’ll become a star. That’s why the Raiders traded back to pick him. What position he plays will depend on how the rest of the roster shapes up.

Slot position could make free safety battle tricky

Then there is the slot position side to this when it comes to who they keep on the roster. Do they keep a backup nickel for Taron Johnson, choosing Greedy 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.

Isaiah Pola-Mao played 102 slot snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Sports Info Solutions says he was targeted five times in the slot, allowed two catches for 12 yards, and made an interception. Maybe he’ll take on that role. Jeremy Chinn looks much better as a strong safety. He plays well near the line of scrimmage, and that seems to be his best spot. A player his size isn’t suited for the center field role.

So, it will be very interesting to see how this position battle plays out. Really, it feels like it’s down to Stukes or Pola-Mao, who’s got one year left on his deal. And maybe Johnson makes a push for it, as he can play free safety and strong safety, as well as some nickel. Only time will tell, but this will be fun to watch.