Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway is turning heads early at training camp, as Vegas leans on last year’s picks

The Las Vegas Raiders are using training camp to validate a foundational idea for their defensive line rebuild. According to Yahoo Sports’ camp coverage, the team invested comparatively little in defensive tackle through free agency or the draft this offseason, with one internal rationale being the belief that last season’s selections at the position can take a step forward now. Early practice is offering encouraging signs, particularly around defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway’s play since day one.

The story line matters because defensive tackle is often the stabilizing piece of a front. When a team believes it already has the internal answers, it can allocate resources elsewhere and avoid repeating the same positional investment cycle year after year. For the Raiders, the confidence being placed in Hemingway and JJ Pegues is the clearest example of that approach.

Hemingway is getting the most consistent praise in the Yahoo Sports report, described as performing well from the start of camp and generating positive noise in the day-to-day practices. That type of feedback usually points to repeatable fundamentals, such as staying square, getting leverage in the run game, and finishing plays in a manner coaches can measure even when full pads and live tackling rules limit what observers see.

Pegues, the other defensive tackle referenced from last year’s class, is also drawing attention. The report notes that Pegues recorded a sack during Sunday’s practice, an outcome that can accelerate both confidence and opportunity for interior defenders because it shows they can affect the quarterback even as offenses adjust to personnel and tempo.

In a typical NFL training-camp environment, the strongest early report is not just one rep but the ability to stack multiple reps while maintaining technique. While the Yahoo Sports account does not quantify snaps or list specific defensive packages, the emphasis on Hemingway “since day one” suggests he has been involved in productive work across sessions rather than appearing only in isolated moments.

Still, camp standouts operate under a reality check. Practices are controlled, offenses mix schemes and protections, and the evaluation process is still early. Even so, interior defenders who show quick buy-in, consistent pad level, and attention to the assignment can separate themselves quickly because they are asked to anchor the front in both base run fits and pass-rush responsibilities.

For Raiders fans, the next watch is how these early impressions translate into more meaningful decision points. That includes how the coaching staff distributes reps among interior options, whether Hemingway and Pegues can sustain momentum through the middle weeks of camp, and if their roles grow as preseason preparation shifts from installation to execution. If the Raiders’ belief in last year’s defensive tackle crop holds, it could reduce the urgency of future spending and give the defense a clearer identity going into the regular season.

Beyond the Raiders’ roster, the development of these two young interior defenders is also a broader indicator of how the team intends to build its trenches. Defensive tackle is where structural advantages can show up, even when edge rushers are quiet. If Hemingway and Pegues continue to force the issue in practice, it will strengthen Vegas’ argument that their draft process at the position is producing impact sooner than expected.