One of the clearest clues about how Rob Leonard plans to run the Raiders’ defense this year came during spring work, and it pointed straight at a young player who could end up mattering a lot.
The biggest unknown around Las Vegas’ first-time defensive coordinator is still his play-calling approach, and preseason games probably won’t give much away. That kind of stuff usually stays tucked away until the real thing starts. But OTAs and minicamp offered a look at how Leonard may want to deploy his personnel, and one theme stood out: young players are going to get a real shot.
That opens the door for second-year defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway, who has built some buzz heading into training camp and could wind up as one of the defense’s most important pieces.
Hemingway’s rookie year didn’t get much attention outside the building because the Raiders were stuck in a rough 2025 season, but he did flash late. He played only 32 percent of the defensive snaps through nine games, yet still put up nine tackles, including five for loss, along with four sacks. Three of those sacks came in his final two games, which is the kind of finish that gets a staff’s attention.
His path to that point wasn’t smooth. Under the previous regime, Hemingway spent much of the first half of the season as a healthy scratch before finally getting a chance to show what he could do. The South Carolina product may not have to wait nearly as long this time around.
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reported that Hemingway picked up first-team reps during the spring, writing: "… The team's success will depend on receiving consistent production from young players, such as Stukes, McCoy, Masses and even second-year players like cornerback Darien Porter and defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway, who received a significant amount of first-team reps during OTAs and minicamp."
At 6-foot-2 and 284 pounds, Hemingway gives the Raiders some flexibility up front. He can be used as an interior pass rusher if the team wants pressure coming through the middle, and his quick feet could also keep him in the mix on the edge.
That versatility is what makes him so intriguing. The Raiders may have a second-year jump on their hands from a player who simply needed more chances to prove himself. It’s a little early to throw around Maxx Crosby comparisons, but the broader point is hard to miss: this staff may have found another fourth-round pick worth leaning on.
The rest of the summer should tell the story of how Leonard wants to shape his rotations across the front seven. For now, the signs suggest Hemingway will be right in the middle of it, just as he was during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
If he backs that up in padded practices and carries it into the preseason, he could push his way into a major role on the depth chart. And if the leap really comes, Hemingway might end up being the difference-maker for this Raiders defense.
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