​REWRITE: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 07: Darien Porter, No. 26 of the Las Vegas Raiders, runs onto the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on December 07, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) The Las Vegas Raiders are building one of the league’s youngest defenses. In 2024, they added players like Darien Porter and Tonka Hemingway, and their 2026 NFL draft priorities focused on Treydan Stukes, Keyron Crawford, and Jermod McCoy. If these rookies pan out, the Raiders could field a strong defensive unit in the future. Among last year’s rookies, Porter logged the most snaps. He had a mix of highs and lows, but his potential shone brightest against the Denver Broncos. Porter now appears poised to start opposite Eric Stokes, with a potential future pairing alongside McCoy.
In this week’s SB Nation Reacts poll, Raider Nation weighs in on whether Porter will make the leap. About 81% of Raiders fans believe Porter will take his game to the next level. If Porter becomes a consistent shutdown corner, it would lift the entire defense, giving the defensive line more time to pressure the quarterback and generating more turnovers for the unit. Here’s hoping the promising young cornerback delivers. For the latest NFL odds, check FanDuel Sportsbook.