Raiders rookie safety Treydan Stukes is bringing something with him from college that's a huge advantage in the NFL

Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson have an advantage

This is not just any advantage. This is not just another moment where we say that two players have amazing chemistry together, so it's working in their favor. No, Johnson and Stukes have chemistry that you don't often see with rookies. It's almost like the two of them can reach each other’s minds.

"We got to a point playing at Arizona, where I didn’t have to say anything. We had been in the same defense for a couple of years, and I could just look over and know he knows exactly what I’m talking about.

"So, now we’re speaking a different language, but it’s football at the end of the day,and I know exactly how he operates. And we’ve been sitting in each other’s hotel rooms, going over the tape and stuff. So, we’re going to get it right, and we’re going to make sure that we bring our best every day.”

Both of them could be playing big-time snaps in 2026. There is a way where they are both on the field at the same time, with Stukes being able to play the nickel, and Johnson being that centerfielder as the free safety. If they can bring that to the field in 2026 when they're both playing at the same time, it's an advantage that could be amazing to see.

Treydan Stukes' stats in 2025

Stukes played outside CB, FS, and Nickel last season at Arizona.

• 4 interceptions (7 career INTs)
• 6 pass deflections (29 career PBs)
• 52 tackles (1 TFL, but 12 total TFLs in career)

Being the second-round pick, it's obvious that Stukes is the guy. 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.

But we could see Johnson play a significant amount, too. And, even if we don't in 2026, we will in 2027. The Raiders have two safeties, Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn, who will be free agents then. Johnson and Stukes could be the duo that sees the field the most, in a variety of ways, thanks to their versatility.