When Eric Stokes first arrived at the Raiders' facilities, he was a young cornerback with impressive speed and plenty to prove. Now, heading into the 2026 season, he stands as the most experienced member of the Raiders' secondary, fully embracing a leadership role in a cornerbacks room reshaped under general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak.
Following a strong 2025 season in which Stokes earned the designation of CB1, he returns in 2026 not only as a lockdown defensive back but as the mentor for a young and ambitious group. The Raiders have focused heavily on strengthening their secondary during the offseason, adding veteran presence at the safety position and bringing in a talented mix of young defensive backs via the draft and free agency. Yet, atop the cornerback depth chart, Eric Stokes firmly holds the starting outside role.
From Uncertainty to Cornerstone
Stokes' early years in the NFL were marked by inconsistency and injury setbacks. Drafted in the first round for his elite 4.3 speed, many questioned if he could sustain success. The Raiders' decision to sign him was met with some skepticism--was he a reclamation project or a true starting-caliber player? After 2025, the question has been answered decisively.
In 2025, Stokes started every game for the Raiders, setting career highs with 14 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. Advanced metrics highlight his effectiveness, showing he allowed just a 58.2% completion rate when targeted, a figure that ranked him among the top 20 cornerbacks league-wide. Equally important, he remained healthy throughout the entire season. This reliability is a crucial difference-maker for a Raiders defense that historically struggled to provide steady coverage on the perimeter.
Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard can confidently assign Stokes to shadow top receivers in man coverage, empowering the rest of the defense. This flexibility enables the safeties--led by veteran playmakers Jeremy Chinn and Terrell Edmunds--to be more aggressive in run support and underneath zones, while also opening opportunities for varied blitz packages.
A Young Secondary Seeking Direction
The current Raiders cornerback depth chart features a mix of youth and potential alongside veterans: Chigozie Anusiem, Taron Johnson, Darien Porter, Decamerion Richardson, Eric Stokes, Greedy Vance, Jermod McCoy, Caleb Offord, plus several undrafted free agents from training camp. This blend reflects a group rich in athleticism and promise but lacking in consistent experience--Stokes is the keystone.
Darien Porter, a 2025 draft pick, has shown flashes of promise in practice but still requires polish. Taron Johnson, acquired from Buffalo, offers versatility and experience primarily in nickel roles but projects as a contender for outside snaps opposite Stokes. Richardson and Anusiem remain developmental prospects with upside but have yet to demonstrate the consistency Stokes provides.
Stokes has taken the initiative to lead by example and mentorship. He has organized film study sessions during voluntary offseason workouts and frequently provides individual coaching to younger corners, including rookie Jermod McCoy out of Texas, who shares stylistic similarities to Stokes in his college tape.
"It's different when you're not just worried about your own game," Stokes said in an offseason interview. "When you see a young guy struggling with a release or zone drop, you remember being there. If I can help him save a few reps, that lifts all of us."
The defensive backs coach has praised Stokes for stepping into a vocal leadership position that didn't come naturally early in his career. Confidence bred by winning and consistent play has infused Stokes with a commanding presence in the locker room.
Depth Chart and Defensive Scheme Impact
With Stokes locked in as CB1, the question on the outside opposite him points to Taron Johnson, who fits well due to his slot versatility and improving outside coverage skills. This arrangement keeps Stokes leveraging his strengths on the boundary while optimizing defensive backfield alignment.
Richardson will compete for snaps in various base packages, but if Johnson secures the starting outside job, Richardson's playing time in sub-packages may be limited. Porter is viewed as a rotational player for now with long-term starting potential. Meanwhile, the safety group--Chinn, Edmunds, Tristin McCollum, and Isaiah Pola-Mao--enables the defense to mask variability with multiple coverage looks.
Leonard employs a hybrid scheme that mixes man-to-man and zone coverages. Stokes' dependability on the outside allows for increased confidence in using Cover 1 man with a single-high safety. This, in turn, enables more aggressive pressure strategies and defensive flexibility than the Raiders have exhibited in past seasons.
The pass rush, powered by Maxx Crosby along with Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce, stands to benefit directly from Stokes' coverage ability. Effective cornerback play helps generate "coverage sacks" by forcing quarterbacks into hurried decisions. Extra fractions of a second gained by Stokes' reliable coverage can turn pressured throws into incompletions or turnovers.
The Bigger Picture
The Raiders closed out the 2025 season with a 9-8 record, narrowly missing the playoffs but demonstrating unmistakable defensive improvement. Stokes' rise to a top-tier cornerback was among the most impactful, albeit understated, narratives of the team's resurgence.
Looking ahead, quarterback Kirk Cousins leads an offense featuring rising stars like running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. As the Raiders signal their intent to compete in 2026, dependable cornerback play is a foundational element.
More importantly, Stokes symbolizes a culture shift. The Raiders historically leaned on veterans past their prime, but Stokes entered the team in his prime years and is ascending while embracing mentorship typically afforded to older players. At 28, he embodies both peak performance and leadership maturity.
Development of the young cornerbacks around him could transform the secondary from a historical weakness into one of the team's greatest strengths. If Stokes continues to perform at or above his 2025 level, the Raiders will face a pivotal contract decision after his current deal expires.
What's Next?
The offseason program runs through June as the coaching staff assesses potential starters for the No. 3 and No. 4 cornerback roles. With Stokes firmly established as CB1, the Raiders enter 2026 better positioned defensively than the previous year.
Across the league, Stokes' transformation from an injury-prone prospect into a reliable starter and veteran leader is drawing attention. His growth is critical as the Raiders strive to shed their rebuilding label and re-emerge as a playoff contender.
For Raiders fans, Eric Stokes is more than just the team's CB1--he is the voice and cornerstone of a new era for their defensive backs.
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