The Las Vegas Raiders now have their head coach and defensive coordinator in place, giving a clearer view of the personnel they’ll target this offseason. With Klint Kubiak handling the offense, new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard will have the freedom to implement his preferred scheme, potentially shifting focus toward strengthening the secondary.
Leonard’s background includes work with respected defensive minds such as Mike Macdonald, Patrick Graham, and Brian Flores, suggesting a priority on versatile, technically sound players. While Leonard previously served as a defensive line coach, the Raiders’ need at cornerback remains pressing after Eric Stokes left in free agency.
One veteran option the Raiders could pursue is Rasul Douglas, the Miami Dolphins standout who played 93 NFL games and stabilized their secondary in 2025. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport suggested Douglas as a sensible, affordable addition for Las Vegas, noting his experience and potential to be signed at a reasonable price despite a likely salary uptick in 2026.
Las Vegas previously had Douglas on their roster in 2021 before parting ways, and while he’s now older, he could still contribute significantly. Reuniting with a proven cornerback could provide immediate leadership and reliability as the Raiders rebuild a more competitive defense around Leonard’s plans.
Kubiak emphasized the organization’s appealing resources during his introductory remarks, underscoring why the Raiders were a compelling choice for him. He stressed the need to earn continued opportunity by developing players and delivering consistent results, highlighting the ongoing challenge of transforming a franchise with a storied history into a stable, high-performing unit.
