The NFL combine was originally designed to be a venue for teams to gather information on player prospects, but the annual event has grown into a lot more than scouting exercise.
From a fan perspective, there is no time of year (other than maybe draft season) where more rumors hit the public square than the NFL combine. Everyone in the league talks a little more when their feet touch the ground in Indianapolis, and the fans have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of that dynamic.
There were plenty of quarterback rumors hovering around the Raiders at the combine last week, but a little “nugget” from The Athletic‘s Vic Tafur could be something to keep in mind as the Raiders move closer to free agency and the draft.
According to Tafur, the Raiders are more focused on finding a cornerback than he (and presumably others) had been aware…
“Media types, as well as fans-on-the-couch types, could easily pick out the Raiders’ major needs as quarterback, offensive line and defensive tackle. We were surprised to learn how big a difference they think a No. 1 cornerback would make. And this draft is deep at that position.
Jack Jones was an impact starter when he was picked up last season, and Nate Hobbs is a tough slot corner when healthy. Amik Robertson started 12 games and was effective, but appears set to test free agency, and the Raiders would love to add someone they would plug in at the top of the depth chart. An instinctive difference-maker that would allow them to play more zone coverage when they are showing man at the line of scrimmage.”
There might be a lot of cornerback options in the draft, but one player stood out last week as a perfect complement to Antonio Pierce.
Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold is expected to be drafted in the first half of the first round, and based on his interviews at the combine last week, there might not be a better personality fit for Pierce than Arnold.
Talent, intelligence, and confidence: three characteristics we know the Raiders and their outspoken head coach would love to have in their next CB1…
twitter: @raidersbeat
Either Terrion Arnold, Byron Murphy or J.c. Latham would be a great pick. They are all players who have the “Raider mystique ” about them. Toughness!
I would focus on free agent frenzy first the draft isn’t for a potential 7 weeks get who we can then go from there a power process learned in college called Be Here Now #6! I believe