Mailbag: What is Las Vegas Raiders’ weakest position on defense after 2026 NFL draft?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 16: JJ Pegues #92 of the Las Vegas Raiders waits during a drill before a NFL Preseason 2025 game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 22-19. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) | Getty Images Excitement is still high surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 NFL draft class , but the Raiders’ roster still has a few holes.

That’s one of our focuses for this week’s mailbag, as well as beginning to look ahead at the upcoming season. Q: What is the weakest link on the defense currently (position, not player), and would it be worth it to address this season via available free agents or roll with what the Raiders have and target next year’s free agent/draft classes? A: It has to be defensive tackle .

There’s the obvious void at nose tackle, and the two other starting spots (assuming the 3-4 base defense) are going to be up for grabs during training camp. That being said, the Raiders do have several young players at the position between Jonah Laulu (26 in June), Thomas Booker (26), JJ Pegues (24), Tonka Hemingway (24), Brandon Cleveland (22 in August), etc. So, I’d rather see the front office give those guys an opportunity to prove themselves and then address the position next offseason if there’s still a need.

This spring, I’ve been operating under the assumption that John Sptyek likely has a two-year rebuild plan anyway, so I don’t think it would make much sense to bring in a veteran defensive tackle as a one-year rental. I know he signed with the Giants this week, but would adding someone like D. J.