Ample opportunity for other Raiders’ defensive tackles to impress

With Christian Wilkins released, Las Vegas youngsters like Jonah Laulu, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues can earn valuable snaps

Christian Wilkins out of his walking boot and dancing before training camp was an encouraging video, wasn’t it?

Apparently, not enough as the Las Vegas Raiders released the high-priced veteran defensive tackle late Thursday.

Pete Carroll and his Silver & Black marauders now move on with a starting role wide open at the defensive tackle group. It’s not ideal to wax a $110-million defender just one year into a high-priced pact. But this present ample opportunity for other defensive tackles to gobble up snaps and make an impression on Las Vegas’ head coach.

Veterans Adam Butler and Leki Fotu are set to lead the way at the position group that awaits Wilkins’ return. Butler, 31 years old, provides both an interior pass rusher and run stopper while Fotu, 26, is the big beefy run-stuffing and space-eating nose tackle type.

But the group overall showcases young and hungry talents such as Jonah Laulu (25, second year), Tonka Hemingway (23, 2025 NFL Draft fourth-round pick), JJ Pegues (23, 2025 sixth-round pick), and Tank Booker (23, undrafted free agent), to name a few.

Now, there will be snaps for the taking for Laulu and group to snatch.

By The Numbers
Jonah Laulu, Defensive Tackle

• 2024: 17 games (7 starts), 35 total tackles (15 solo), 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, three pass deflections
• Career: 17 games (7 starts), 35 total tackles (15 solo), 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, three pass deflections

The Group

There are currently eight defensive tackles on the Raiders’ active roster. Three of them are incumbents — Butler, Laulu, and Zach Carter. The rest are newcomers — Fotu (free agent addition) and a slew of rookies — Hemingway, Pegues, Booker, and Treven Ma’ae.

Laulu, claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts last August, brings ample size at 6-foot-5 and 292 pounds. The Colts’ seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft (234th overall) played in all 17 games last season for the Raiders (seven starts) and earned 475 defensive snaps (43 percent of Las Vegas defensive total) with 96 special teams snaps, too boot.

The Hawaii/Oklahoma product became a regular contributor at defensive tackle from Week 9 onward and showed flashes of strong play during his rookie year. Building upon that with the new regime is vital for Laulu’s roster chances.

Especially since general manager John Spytek and Carroll added two young prospects this past April in Hemingway and Pegues.

Both the Raiders mid- and late-round selections bring the versatility Carroll seeks from his players. Hemingway and Pegues lined up at various spots on the defensive line showing outside-inside versatility. And it’s Pegues who offers the ability to be a short-yardage running back on offense, too.

The pair of rookies are eager to prove the Raiders right regarding their respective draft status with Hemingway measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 284 pounds while Pegues stands 6-foot-2 and weights 309. While Laulu has the edge in terms of in-game NFL experience, the ability for Hemingway and Pegues to line up at both defensive tackle spots or on the edge bears watching.

Pegues brings the heft to potentially line up at the nose spot, but that’s where Booker’s mass — 6-foot-3 and 347 pounds — can help bolster depth behind Fotu. If the undrafted free agent from SMU proves to be immovable and stout as Las Vegas embarks through training camp, Booker has a good case to make the roster.

The Butler Did It

With a total of 10 sacks and 93 combined tackles (52 solo) over the course of the last two seasons in Las Vegas, Butler’s presence on the interior is much needed. He played well during a career-high 858 snaps last season as he started 16 of 17 games for the Raiders last season. Butler also took the mentor role last season.

Expect that to remain the status quo as the Raiders are counting on the 6-foot-5 and 300-pound veteran to continue to play well and lead by example.

Another intriguing item when it comes to the defensive tackle group is defensive end Tyree Wilson. The 6-foot-6 and 275-pounder has dabbled as both edge and interior defender. And with Wilkins out of the lineup, perhaps tinkering with Wilson shifting to defensive tackle becomes a regular thing as camp commences?

But when things get really physical — when the Raiders put on the pads during training camp — we’ll find out in short order which of the 90-man roster are mere fodder before the staggering cut to the 53-man limit.

That all said, having a young defensive tackle step up and elevate their game is always a plus. And making cutdown day a grueling tough decision on the final 53 means the offseason went well.