KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Raiders trade back from No. 36 to No. 38, acquire additional third-round pick (No. 91)
- Arizona DB Treydan Stukes selected with elite 4.33s 40-yard dash speed
- Versatile defensive back can play safety, nickel, or boundary corner
- Former walk-on with First-Team All-Big 12 honors and ball-hawk instincts
HENDERSON, NV — After the fireworks of Day 1 and the selection of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall, the Las Vegas Raiders entered Day 2 with a clear objective: maximize value and modernize the secondary.
General Manager John Spytek did exactly that, orchestrating a trade with the Houston Texans before selecting Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes with the 38th overall pick.
The move is a quintessential Raiders selection—prioritizing elite athletic traits, a high motor, and a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality.
The Trade: Strategic Asset Accumulation
Before the pick was even announced, the Raiders moved back two spots from No. 36 to No. 38. In the deal, Las Vegas acquired an additional third-round pick (No. 91) while parting with a fourth-rounder (No. 117).
For a team in the midst of a roster evolution, picking up another Top-100 selection is a massive win. It gives Spytek and the front office more ammunition to surround Mendoza with weapons or defensive help later tonight.
The Player: Who is Treydan Stukes?
While names like Jermod McCoy were still on the board, the Raiders fell in love with Stukes’ versatility and rare speed. A former walk-on at Arizona, Stukes’ rise to First-Team All-Big 12 honors is a testament to the work ethic this coaching staff craves.
- Elite Speed: Stukes turned heads at the Combine with a 4.33s 40-yard dash, a number that translates immediately to the NFL level.
- The “Swiss Army Knife”: Stukes isn’t pigeonholed into one spot. He has the range to play safety next to Jeremy Chinn, but possesses the coverage skills to slide into the nickel or play on the boundary.
- Ball Hawk Mentality: With four interceptions last season, he has shown a natural instinct for the football—something this secondary has lacked in recent years.
The Fit: Modernizing the Secondary
In a division featuring Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, flexibility in the back seven is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement. By drafting Stukes, the Raiders have secured a defender who can match the speed of the AFC West’s elite wideouts while providing the physicality needed to support the run.
His “walk-on” mentality fits the gritty culture being built in Henderson. He doesn’t just play the position; he attacks it.
What’s Next?
With the acquisition of pick No. 91, the Raiders are now positioned to be active in the third round. All eyes remain on the offensive side of the ball, as Raider Nation waits to see which playmaker will be brought in to grow alongside Mendoza.
The selection of Stukes might be viewed as a “reach” by some national pundits, but for a front office focused on speed and versatility, he was clearly their man.
