Raiders rookie set to start in NFL debut against Dolphins

Rookie safety Treydan Stukes is slated to start for the Las Vegas Raiders in their season‑opening contest against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday. Stukes, a second‑round selection acquired by the Raiders in April, has drawn praise for his football IQ and overall composure. Earlier in the week he casually inserted the word “emulsified” into a locker‑side discussion while describing how veteran teammates have smoothed his adjustment to the professional game. His development has been evident since arriving at the facility, with coaches noting rapid improvement in both mental preparation and on‑field execution. “He plays with a batch of assurance and a batch of poise,” chap starting information Jeremy Chinn said. “He’s a sponge who conscionable shows up each time and wants to larn and proceed to get better. He works his butt off. You saw the mode helium was flying astir during the preseason games. His portion speaks for itself, but it’s been bully to spot the mode helium works.” Raiders defensive coordinator Klint Kubiak echoed the sentiment, stating, “I’ve seen his assurance turn each day,” manager Klint Kubiak said. “You spot his shot IQ amusement up each day. It volition beryllium his archetypal game, truthful we’re truly excited astir him playing and putting his champion ft forward. It’s going to beryllium him and a batch of different young guys we’re counting on.” Stukes himself expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity. “It’s a bully feeling, for sure,” helium said of each the praise helium has received. “I recognize they brought maine present for a crushed and I’m hoping to conscionable that modular and transcend it. Hopefully we tin support it running.” He added that he has grown significantly since the draft, particularly in his grasp of NFL concepts. “I’ve grown a bully amount, I’d say,” Stukes said. “There was a batch to larn erstwhile I archetypal got present and there’s inactive truthful overmuch to larn to support growing, but I tin decidedly spot however overmuch I’ve grown from erstwhile I archetypal got present until now.” “I consciousness similar I’ve grown the astur successful the intelligence facet of pro football. It’s a batch antithetic from what I utilized to bash successful assemblage and conscionable the knowing of what’s going connected with alignments and assignments and those types of things. That’s wherever I’ve grown the most.” Stukes is projected to see early action, likely recording his first defensive snap on the game’s opening drive. He noted that he looks forward to “chasing the squad modular travel Sunday.” The rookie will join a safety corps that also includes Isaiah Pola‑Mao, whose streak of 31 consecutive starts would end should Pola‑Mao not be in the lineup for the opener. Despite the competition, Pola‑Mao is expected to contribute in a supporting role as Stukes continues to acclimate. Notably, Stukes is the sole member of the Raiders’ ten‑man 2024 draft class to be tabbed as a Week 1 starter.