The NFL Combine kicks off on Thursday, when the defensive linemen and linebackers take the field in Indianapolis to participate in on-field drills.
This represents the best chance for the top prospects in April’s draft to showcase their athleticism to NFL scouts. The Las Vegas Raiders, with plenty of needs on their roster, will be watching every drill and every practice to see who fits head coach Pete Carroll’s vision best. While interviews and medical evaluations will also come into play, how these prospects perform in the athletic testing and positional drills will stand out in the eyes of coaches, scouts and fans.
With the first group of prospects, here are five names Raiders fans should pay close attention to:
Jordan Burch, DL, Oregon
With offensive coordinator Chip Kelly getting to see Burch in action when Ohio State played Oregon in the Big Ten championship game, that gives some further insight for the Raiders to use.
Overall, Burch is expected to have some of the best testing numbers of any defensive lineman in Indianapolis. Burch put together a career-high 8.5 sacks in his final season with the Ducks, despite battling injuries. Therefore, this combine is important for Burch to shake off any injury concerns, as well as prove he is an NFL-caliber athlete.
Burch fits anywhere on the defensive line, serving as a good three-technique defensive tackle and defensive end. With the Raiders having pending free agents all along their defensive line, as well as the uncertainty surrounding Maxx Crosby, any reinforcements is a good idea. A strong performance will cement Burch as a Day 2 selection, possibly going as high as the second round.
Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
Alexander has seen his stock soar throughout the pre-draft process, lighting up the Senior Bowl and now hoping to carry that momentum to a strong Combine performance.
While Alexander is on the older side of the draft (he will be 25 in his rookie season), that has not stopped the hype train one bit. Alexander offers incredible pass-rushing chops, proving that against top competition at the Senior Bowl. If that skillset translates both in athletic testing and positional drills, Alexander will be a lock to go in the top 50 picks.
Where Alexander will win scouts over is his explosiveness and polish. As such, the 10-yard split on his 40-yard dash time, as well as his vertical jump, are going to be important to monitor. Fortunately, Alexander hit 30 inches on his vertical jump earlier, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, so showcasing that in Indianapolis should be no issue.
Tim Smith, DL, Alabama
If the Raiders are aiming to find a competent run-stuffing defensive tackle in this draft, Smith stands out as one of the better options available later on.
Alabama has a history of churning out quality defensive linemen, and Smith carries a similar skillset to some of the top stars to come out of Tuscaloosa. While Smith will never fool anyone as a primary pass-rushing option like Burch and Alexander before him on this list, he finds his way on the field due to his strength stopping the run. He is not an athletic marvel, but having the requisite strength and explosiveness would win teams like the Raiders over.
Primary nose tackle John Jenkins is a pending free agent for the Raiders, as is top defensive tackle Adam Butler. As a result, they will need to find meaningful depth in order to bolster the defensive line. Smith stands out as a great Day 3 option to fulfill that goal, and a good showing in Indianapolis could put him on a trajectory to Las Vegas soon.
David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas
General manager John Spytek mentioned during his media availability that he has respect for players who stuck it out at smaller schools in the wake of NIL, and Walker fits that category perfectly.
After dominating Division II competition at Central Arkansas, Walker was invited to the Senior Bowl with the chance to prove his skills against top competition. He impressed enough to push himself firmly in the Day 3 conversation, and a strong Combine would push his stock further. His measurements will definitely be on the smaller side for edge rushers, so he will have to compensate with his other numbers.
Walker pairing with Crosby on the edge is a pairing that should excite plenty of Raiders fans. He has the sack numbers that turn plenty of heads, despite playing against lower-level competition. Walker likely should not be relied upon as a Day 1 starter, but being part of a pass-rushing rotation with the potential to earn more snaps with good play is an enticing scenario.
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Kelly was head coach of UCLA during Schwesinger’s first two collegiate seasons, so his insight will be crucial for this selection.
Schwesinger does come with a few question marks; he is smaller than the prototypical linebacker (six-foot-two, 225 pounds) and only started for the Bruins for one year. However, he offers consistent tackling and a decent pass-rushing repertoire to earn himself snaps early. Testing for speed and movement will be crucial for Schewsinger at the combine.
For the Raiders, starting linebackers Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo are pending free agents. The return of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham opens the door for at least one to come back, but pairing them with Schwesinger sends a clear message to opposing defenses. If the Raiders value toughness in the middle of their defense, Schwesinger is a name to watch on Day 2.
