Rob Leonard to be Raiders DC
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 1:22 pm
RaiderStation is the ultimate Las Vegas Raiders fan forum — join Raider Nation for bold takes, game-day analysis, news, rumors, and Silver & Black pride. Connect with fellow fans and be part of the discussion.
https://raiderstation.com/
Good assessment. It's a good time to see what we have in a fresh face at DC. I can't say what he'll be like as a schemer, but I like hearing him talk and seeing him work with players.heavyD wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 8:03 am A couple of things. First it's pretty late in the hiring cycle and coordinators have been pretty picked over save for Schwartz which would require the Browns releasing him which was never guaranteed. Secondly all of the top coordinators in the NFL needed to start somewhere so he's getting his chance during a season where the organization is resetting and making the playoffs isn't likely realistic, so if he doesn't work out, it's not going to set the team back.
Believed they had a future star in Leonard but yet kept an underwhelming Patrick Graham far too long. Weird.
For head coach? Hed have to be a defensive wiz as teams prefer offensive coaches. Im sure he is getting a new dc contractBe_Easy_25 wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 8:07 am If Leonard is any good, how long before he can be poached?
The moment we begin smelling playoffs (and decent defensive performances) he'd get interviews. Even as a DC.DanKD wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 8:13 am For head coach? Hed have to be a defensive wiz as teams prefer offensive coaches. Im sure he is getting a new dc contract
Job #1 for a new coordinator is to teach and implement an effective scheme to the players.Marzan wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 8:22 am The moment we begin smelling playoffs (and decent defensive performances) he'd get interviews. Even as a DC.
This was a big problem on both sides of the ball although it was far worse on the offensive side/O-line. In either case, we don't really know what we have, so it's going to take at least a full season to make a comprehensive evaluation.Viper wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 6:36 am Yes, and either play them or show them the door creating a roster spot for a player that will actually contribute and be used.
Actually a really good assessmentGoodtimes333 wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 9:23 am I wonder how he wants his front 7 to look. The Seahawks, Chargers, Ravens all run two nose tackles and a five tech. It's a 3-3-5 defense with a big safety who plays the rover role all over the defense. Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, Emanwori. A safety who is like a "light linebacker" who has great athleticism. Jeremy Chinn can do that. The big bodies up front make it hard to run the rock while also having extra db's on the field to be able to cover pass and get creative with the blitz. It can look like a 3-4 or a traditional nickel 4 man front depending on down and distance. I really like that style of defense.
If he wants to run anything similar to that id like Lee Hunter or Kadyn Mcdonald at NT top of round two. Big boulders with juice to really move and affect the pass. Seattle has Murphy, Reed & Hankins all rotating in. The Chargers used Tart, Caldwell & Hand this year.
It's a very affective scheme. It would allow Maxx (if he stays) to be a more stand up edge role and he can be moved around and rush from all over the place. Something I've wanted for a long time. The type of pass rusher he is, he would benefit from that in my opinion. I hope it's what he'll run but who knows
There are some incredibly immovable NTs in this coming draft. Not so much sack artists, but great run stoppers/gap cloggers/oline occupiers.Goodtimes333 wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 9:23 am I wonder how he wants his front 7 to look. The Seahawks, Chargers, Ravens all run two nose tackles and a five tech. It's a 3-3-5 defense with a big safety who plays the rover role all over the defense. Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, Emanwori. A safety who is like a "light linebacker" who has great athleticism. Jeremy Chinn can do that. The big bodies up front make it hard to run the rock while also having extra db's on the field to be able to cover pass and get creative with the blitz. It can look like a 3-4 or a traditional nickel 4 man front depending on down and distance. I really like that style of defense.
If he wants to run anything similar to that id like Lee Hunter or Kadyn Mcdonald at NT top of round two. Big boulders with juice to really move and affect the pass. Seattle has Murphy, Reed & Hankins all rotating in. The Chargers used Tart, Caldwell & Hand this year.