10 NFL Combine Participants Oakland Raiders Fans Should Know
It's time for general managers and personnel executives to put their scouting skills to use as prospects attempt to put forth a good first impression at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Oakland Raiders could approach the draft in several ways. Every workout, drill or interview counts toward making crucial decisions in April.
Pre-free agency, the Raiders have voids at linebacker and on the interior of the defensive line. The front office should also consider depth at offensive tackle.
Once players and teams can openly negotiate contracts on March 7, roster needs will change. Nonetheless, based on the current depth chart, we'll pinpoint 10 draftees to keep an eye on during the combine.
Instead of shining additional spotlight on well-known prospects, we'll dig deeper than the first-round standouts to discuss unfamiliar names, rising talents and potential mid-late round choices.
We can almost assume the Raiders will watch Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham and Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell closely, but who else belongs on the Raiders' radar?
Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson
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Who's the primary alternative to McDowell in the first round? The Raiders need an interior lineman, who can strengthen the pass rush; Clemson defensive tackle Carlos Watkins fits the bill. Oakland scouts will key in on his shuttle run time for short-area explosiveness and lateral quickness.
Watkins will likely slip into the second round as a fifth-year collegiate player with room to improve. However, his athleticism and sack production has probably caught the Raiders' attention.
Last year, general manager Reggie McKenzie mistakenly went with potential over production in the second round. As a unit, the defensive line struggled and failed to stop the run on several occasions. As a team, the Raiders ranked last in sacks, partially due to front line's inability to pressure the pocket in the A-gaps.
On the collegiate level, Watkins proved his worth as Clemson's leading pass-rusher. If he shows the same quickness and initial burst during his workouts, the defensive tackle's stock should spike after leaving Indianapolis.
Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida
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It's highly unlikely the Raiders will see Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster on the board at No. 24. A team within the top-20 picks may also select Cunningham, who is listed as the top outside linebacker in the draft.
Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis essentially started for a year and a half on the collegiate level. Injuries shortened his senior campaign. While it's impossible to test durability at the combine, Raiders scouts should focus on his strength during the bench-press workout.
At 6'2", 238 pounds, Davis should work on brute strength and power in order to hold his own on the professional level. Oakland's roster has holes at both linebacker positions, which would allow the versatile linebacker to slide outside if he's not physically up to par lining up inside.
The three-cone drill will help spectators foreshadow how the Florida linebacker will cover in space. Does he have enough quickness when changing directions? Due to tight end involvement in the passing game, Davis must show above average athleticism to solidify an early second-round draft grade.
Taylor Moton, OL, Western Michigan
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Menelik Watson will likely find work elsewhere after hitting the open market. Multiple injuries and subpar performances during the regular season limited his availability at right tackle. Right guard Gabe Jackson goes into a contract year after three solid seasons and a position shift to the right side of the offensive line.
Vadal Alexander showed enough promise in five starts to continue as a primary reserve offensive lineman on the perimeter. Nonetheless, the Raiders should consider a prospect who can compete with Austin Howard at right tackle or replace Jackson at right guard in case he tests the market in 2018.
Western Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Moton played three seasons at right tackle and one year at right guard. He checks multiple boxes for the Raiders' future offensive line needs.
One particular NFC scout, via NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, sees him as a prototypical guard with size and strength:
"I had to go back and watch his 2015 tape when he played guard. He was a little rough at tackle this year but that isn't his spot. Big and strong as a guard. He was moving guys from Ohio State around like it was nothing.
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Moton's bench press and shuttle run will generate interest as scouts attempt to pinpoint where to place him on the offensive line.
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Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan
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Maybe you don't have a high draft grade for McDowell or Watkins at defensive tackle in the first two rounds. The Michigan Wolverines will send three players at this position into the draft. Chris Wormley lists as the best of the bunch, per CBS Sports rankings.
Unlike McDowell and Watkins, Wormley isn't banking on one good season as a starter. He's played well throughout his four-year career at Michigan. He racked up 17.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for a loss as an interior lineman. His individual years don't look spectacular, but he would bring consistency to the Raiders defensive line.
Currently, Oakland has several underperforming interior linemen. Wormley will have a legitimate opportunity to earn significant snaps as a rookie. At this particular position, the front office must select a prospect who shows the ability to rush the passer. Wormley finished his collegiate career with more sacks than McDowell and Watkins.
Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
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We all know that every draft pick doesn't have a clear-cut opportunity to see the field as a rookie. Colorado cornerback Chidobe Awuzie would likely watch for most of the year as Sean Smith, David Amerson and T.J. Carrie take significant snaps as the top three players at the position.
Nonetheless, Awuzie's production near the line of scrimmage with nine sacks and 25 pass breakups over four seasons could help him land a spot in the slot sooner than later. Keep in mind, Carrie will enter a contract year. Oakland must acquire reinforcements at cornerback to potentially compensate for a secondary that has struggled over the past two seasons.
At 6'0", 205 pounds, Awuzie carries the size to shift to different spots across the secondary similar to Carrie during the 2015 season. Due to Colorado's modest football program prestige, he could slip to the third round. If the Raiders like what they see during the combine, it's fair to consider the talented cornerback as a second-round pick.
Anthony Walker Jr., LB, Northwestern
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Contrary to popular belief, the Raiders shouldn't handcuff themselves to the idea of drafting a linebacker in the first round. Northwestern's Anthony Walker Jr. should be available in the middle rounds, but he's capable of competing for an immediate starting role with Oakland.
According to one AFC scouting director, via Zierlein, Walker's playing weight may scare teams off, but it's hard to deny his collegiate resume:
"He is playing way too heavy right now, and I don't think he's in the shape he needs to be in. But, hey, he's always productive and he plays in a physical conference, so that's a plus. He can run but he's not a great athlete. I think he'll be a much better player if he plays around 230.
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All scouts will eyeball Walker's 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and shuttle run times to assess an appropriate weight level. According to Zierlein, Northwestern pointed to him as the defensive leader, which bodes well for the Raiders who need a field general at linebacker.
McKenzie could allow linebacker Perry Riley to sign elsewhere after he admirably started 11 games in silver and black. The Raiders general manager may opt to avoid huge signings with quarterback Derek Carr and pass-rusher Khalil Mack's extensions on the to-do list. There's a high probability that a rookie with leadership skills will take over at inside linebacker in Oakland.
Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
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According to Spotrac, running back Latavius Murray will be worth $6.6 million on the open market. With two capable backs on the roster, it's hard to fathom the front office paying the 27-year-old ball-carrier anything close to the suggested value.
Murray would have to turn a blind eye to millions for a return to Oakland. Three years away from age 30, it's financially strategic to cash in on his 2015 Pro Bowl year and 12 touchdowns during the previous campaign.
The Raiders don't need LSU's Leonard Fournette to fill the backfield role as a finisher near the goal line. McKenzie has only drafted two running backs during his tenure as general manager—both in the late rounds.
Oklahoma ball-carrier Samaje Perine could follow the same mold as a fourth- or fifth-round selection. He's a 235-pound bruiser who doesn't dance in the trenches. He's not going to show comparable quickness or pass-protection skills to Murray. However, the Raiders would acquire a reliable ball-carrier for short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Rayshawn Jenkins, FS, Miami
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Many Raiders fans ask about Washington free safety Budda Baker, but another undersized safety alongside 5'10" Karl Joseph could hinder the Raiders' ability to defend the deep ball.
At 6'1", 220 pounds, Miami safety Rayshawn Jenkins brings aggressive play with ball-hawking skills. Oakland wouldn't have to worry about too many passes sailing over his head in the secondary. He racked up nine interceptions and 15 passes defended on the collegiate level. As a mid-round selection, Jenkins holds tremendous value with time to develop behind 10th-year veteran safety Reggie Nelson.
The front office must choose safeties wisely. Nate Allen will be a free agent. Nelson will play at age 34 with one more year left on his deal, per Spotrac. Defensive back Keith McGill has already exhausted his opportunities over the past three seasons.
The next player drafted at the position will likely pair with Joseph for years to come. Jenkins brings the skill set and size needed to play deep or box safety.
James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
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Similar to Perine, Pittsburgh running back James Conner brings power to his rush attempts. He's 235 pounds and projects as complementary north-south ball-carrier in the pros.
Casual fans know about his battle back to the field from Hodgkin's lymphoma. In addition to his tireless work ethic, he also exhibited leadership skills as team captain, per Zierlein.
The Raiders found success with a three-back system. The rushing offense ranked No. 6 in yards during the previous season, and there's no reason to abandon a winning script. In his senior year, Conner flashed the ability to catch out of the backfield and protect the passer, which illustrates his value as a third-down back.
As a cheaper alternative to Murray, Conner could find a long-term niche role as the Raiders short-yardage ball-carrier. Carr would appreciate his inclination to stick his head into the line of fire to pick up the blitz on third downs. The Pittsburgh running back is also more polished than Perine in pass-protection schemes.
Fred Ross, WR, Mississippi State
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Wide receiver Seth Roberts worked his way up the depth chart as an undrafted free agent out of West Alabama. He's closed several contests with a game-winning catch. However, he struggled with drops in the previous season, and his receiving yards total declined between the 2015-16 seasons. He logged a sub-50 percent catch rate in the previous campaign.
Johnny Holton isn't at the point to challenge Roberts for the No. 3 spot. The Raiders should consider another wide receiver with a late-round selection. Mississippi State wideout Fred Ross fits in the potential-sleeper category. At 6'1", 203 pounds, he can battle for jump balls and use size to his advantage in the red zone.
For bigger receivers, it's always important to pay attention to their ability to find holes in zone schemes and shake off press coverage defenders. The 40-yard dash is often overblown, but Ross must show some type of straight-line speed and fluidity in changing directions while running at full speed. Those qualities will help him break free and secure targets in tight windows.
Stats provided by Sports-Reference.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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