With the 2019 NFL season behind us and free agency coming up soon, it’s now time to take a weekend and examine the prospects who will be eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft. The Combine has taken on a lot of importance in recent years as players get bigger, stronger and faster and the teams in the league need to pick the biggest and best in order to keep up.

Today’s festivities begin at 6 a.m. Pacific time and the running backs, offensive linemen and special teams specialists will be showing their stuff to scouts for the next several hours. The Raiders could be interested in players from each of those groups, so this will be a day we should pay close attention to.

2019 NFL Combine

Location: Indianapolis, IN | Lucas Oil Stadium

Time: 6:00 AM PT

Channel: NFL Network

Live Stream: NFL.com

Day 1: Running Backs, Offensive Linemen, and Special Teams

There are four critical areas the Raiders and all other NFL teams deem important during the NFL Combine process, which are medical evaluations, one-on-one interviews, verified measurements, and agility tests and drills. For viewing NFL fans, it is the on-field drills and agility tests the NFL Combine highlights, particularly with five on-field measurable drills performed by all prospects choosing to participate. These five drills consist of:

40-yard dash

The marquee event of the combine is all about speed and explosion with the timed 40-yard interval measuring vertical speed over distance and acceleration from a static start. Prospects are also timed at 10 and 20 yard intervals (10-yard split and 20-yard split), where the 10-yard split measures initial quickness and burst, and the 20-yard split measures sustained quickness and burst.

Vertical Jump

The vertical jump is all about lower-body explosion, power, and leaping ability.

Broad Jump

The broad jump is all about lower-body explosion and lower-body strength testing explosion and balance.

3 Cone Drill

The 3 cone drill is all about the prospect’s athletic ability to change direction at a high speed. The drill measures agility, flexibility, and change of direction skills (COD).

Shuttle Run

The short shuttle or 20-yard short shuttle (5-10-5) is all about testing a prospect’s lateral quickness, agility, burst, flexibility, balance, and explosion in short areas.

Bench Press

Although the bench press (225 pounds) is not part of the five on-field measurable drills performed today (bench press performed the day before), it is a crucial part of measurables testing upper-body strength (not functional strength) and endurance; moreover, it gives insight for NFL clubs on how often the prospect frequented his college weight room for the last 3-5 years.

Running Backs

How the measurable drills translate for running backs:

When looking at the running backs perform their drills today, keep in mind of some minimum measurable targets running backs should be expected to target as a minimum result. For the most part, prospects exceeding these minimal targets tend to find success in the NFL.

40-yard dash - Minimum Target: 4.55

10-yard split - Minimum Target: 1.60

Vertical jump - Minimum Target: 36”

Broad jump - Minimum Target: 9’9”

3 cone drill - Minimum Target: 7.25

20-yard shuttle - Minimum Target: 4.20

Bench press - Minimum Target: 20

A few running back prospects to watch:

Josh Jacobs, Alabama

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 220

Arms: 31 5/8”

Hands: 10 1/8”

Projected Round: 1

Alabama’s stacked stable of running backs kept Jacobs from putting up huge numbers during his three years in Tuscaloosa. It didn’t take many reps on offense, though, to see his talent. He played in 15 games as a true freshman reserve in 2016, carrying the ball 85 times for 567 yards and scoring four times while also being a factor in the passing game (14-156-11.1). A hamstring injury put him on the sidelines for the Tide’s first two games in 2017, but he returned to contribute as a rusher (46-284-6.2, one TD), receiver (14-168-12.0, two TD) and kick returner (4-86-21.5) in 12 appearances (one start) that season. Jacobs became more of a focus for the offense in 2018, getting 120 carries, covering 640 yards (5.3 average) and scoring 11 touchdowns in 15 games (one start). He also caught 20 passes for 247 yards (12.4 average) and three scores and was a weapon as a kick returner (14-428-30.6, one TD) during the season for the SEC champs. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 2018 SEC Championship Game with 86 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries (10.4 average).

Damian Harris, Alabama

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 216

Arms: 30 3/4”

Hands: 9 3/4”

Bench reps: 16

Projected Round: 2

Harris was the Kentucky Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 2014, as well as a USA Today All-American and No. 1 running back recruit in the nation. As a true freshman, Harris made an impact as a rusher (46-157, one TD), receiver (4-13), and kick returner (9-174). With Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry leaving for the NFL, Harris held off challenges from talented young players to become the team’s bellcow back in 2016. He led Alabama with 1,037 yards (146 carries, 7.1-yard average) as a sophomore despite playing through a leg injury midway through the year. SEC coaches failed to name him all-conference after the 2017 season, even though his 1,000 rushing yards and 11 scores came on just 135 carries (no fumbles) and he ranked seventh in the FBS with 7.4 yards per attempt. Harris was a second-team All-SEC pick his senior year, starting 14 of 15 games played, leading the Tide with 876 yards and nine scores on 150 carries (5.8 average), and catching 22 passes for 204 yards (9.3 average). He played middle school football with Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and the two are still good friends despite the Iron Bowl rivalry.

David Montgomery, Iowa State

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 222

Arms: 31 3/8”

Hands: 9 1/4”

Bench Reps: 15

Projected Round: 4

Montgomery was a dual-threat quarterback in high school, even earning Division III Ohio Player of the Year recognition from the Associated Press after his senior season (2,707 yards, 41 TD rushing). Schools outside the Midwest did not come calling, however, so Iowa State nabbed the three-star recruit. He led the Cyclones in rushing as a true freshman, playing in all 12 games with starts in the final four weeks (109-563-5.2, two TDs rushing; 13-129-9.9 receiving). Montgomery had more of a workload in 2017, starting all 13 games and earning first-team All-Big 12 notice with 258 carries for 1,146 yards (4.4 average) and 11 scores. He also helped carry the passing offense with 36 receptions for 296 yards (8.2 average). Montgomery was a second-team all-conference pick by the coaches his junior season, accumulating 257 carries for 1,216 yards (4.7 average) and 13 touchdowns (also 22-157-7.1 receiving) in 12 games (11 starts).

Bennie Snell, Kentucky

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 224

Arms: 31”

Hands: 9 3/8”

Bench Reps: 16

Projected Round: 3

Snell has running back talent in his genes. His father, Benjamin, was a running back at Ohio Northern and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. His great uncle, Matt, was a well-known back for the New York Jets who was a big part of the team’s upset win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III (30 rushes, 121 yards). Benny, Jr. started building his own resume at Westerville High School in Ohio, rushing for nearly 4,000 yards over his last two seasons and earning Division I All-Ohio honors. Kentucky coaches saw that talent and played him in all 13 games (one start) in tandem with Stanley “Boom” Williams in 2016. He was a Freshman All-American and All-Freshman SEC pick that year, running for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns on 186 carries (5.9 average). Snell took the lead role in the backfield as a sophomore, starting all 13 games and receiving second-team All-SEC recognition after leading the conference with 262 carries for 1,333 yards (5.1 average) and 19 touchdowns. Snell was the third SEC back to exceed 1,300 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons (Herschel Walker, Knowshon Moreno) and he did it again as a junior. He ranked in the top 10 nationally with 1,449 yards, 16 receiving scores, and 289 carries (5.0 average) to earn Associated Press third-team All-American notice and first-team All-SEC honors. Despite leaving a season early, Snell finished his career as the Wildcat’s all-time leading rusher.

Offensive Linemen

How the measurable drills translate for offensive linemen:

When looking at the offensive linemen perform their drills today, keep in mind of some minimum measurable targets offensive linemen should be expected to target as a minimum result. For the most part, prospects exceeding these minimal targets tend to find success in the NFL.

Offensive Tackle

40-yard dash. - Minimum Target: 5.30

10-yard split - Minimum Target: 1.80

Vertical jump - Minimum Target: 30”

Broad jump - Minimum Target: 8’6”

3 cone drill - Minimum Target: 7.85

20-yard shuttle - Minimum Target: 4.65

Bench press - Minimum Target: 24

Offensive Guard/Center

40-yard dash. - Minimum Target: 5.30

10-yard split - Minimum Target: 1.85

Vertical jump - Minimum Target: 30”

Broad jump - Minimum Target: 8’6”

3 cone drill - Minimum Target: 7.85

20-yard shuttle - Minimum Target: 4.55

Bench press. - Minimum Target: 26

A few offensive linemen prospects to watch:

Jawaan Taylor, Florida

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 312

Arms: 35 1/8”

Hands: 10”

Bench Reps: 24

Projected Round: 1

Taylor was highly-recruited out of Florida’s Cocoa High School, but Florida coaches told him he needed to lose weight before they would offer him a scholarship. He went from 380 pounds to a listed 347 when signing his letter of intent with the Gators. That hard work paid off on the field, as he started 12 of 13 games played in his first year in Gainesville, garnering Freshman All-American honors and being named to the Freshman All-SEC team. He played in all 11 games as a sophomore, starting the first nine at right tackle and the final two on the left side. Taylor was considered one of the best linemen in the country by NFL scouts in 2018, even though his play in 12 games at right tackle did not garner him any all-conference honors.

Jonah Williams, Alabama

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 302

Arms: 33 5/8”

Hands: 10 1/8”

Bench Reps: 23

Projected Round: 1

A five-star recruit, Williams’ work ethic and athleticism made him one of the most coveted high school players in the country after he finished his career at Folsom High School in California. Williams actually left Folsom early, enrolling at Alabama in January 2016 to get a jump start. The move paid off, as Williams earned the starting right tackle spot for all 15 games that season, as well as Freshman All-American honors and a spot on the SEC All-Freshman squad. Williams moved to the left tackle spot in 2017, taking over for Cam Robinson as the starter for all 14 games and receiving third-team All-American notice from the Associated Press and a first-team All-SEC nod in the Tide’s national championship season. In 2018, he earned AP first-team All-American recognition. He was highly-decorated again after starting all 15 times at left tackle in 2018, earning a spot as a Outland Trophy finalist, receiving unanimous first-team All-American notice and repeating as a first-team All-SEC selection. Williams also won the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy for his efforts as a junior.

Greg Little, Ole Miss

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 310

Arms: 35 1/4”

Hands: 10 1/4”

Projected Round: 1-2

Little and Oklahoma junior LT Bobby Evans (along with QB Kyler Murray) were on the same high school team in Allen, Texas, and both now have NFL futures. Little was a top five recruit regardless of position in 2016 and a second-team All-American after his senior season at Allen, which won a mythical national title in 2014. He was a Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman squad honoree in his first year on campus, playing in all 12 games and starting the final five games at left tackle. League coaches voted him second-team All-SEC after 12 starts at left tackle in 2017. He was a first-team all-conference selection his junior year after starting all 12 games at left tackle once again, fulfilling his promise as a top-level NFL prospect.

Andre Dillard, Washington State

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 315

Arms: 33 1/2”

Hands: 10”

Bench Reps: 24

Projected Round: 1-2

His father, Mitch, was an offensive lineman for the Cougars in the late 1980s. He made his own name as a Seattle Times All-Area and first-team All-King County selection his senior year at Woodinville High School. He played in three games as a reserve in his redshirt freshman season, then became Wazzou’s starter at left tackle for all 13 games in 2016. Pac-12 coaches named him honorable mention all-conference after his junior year, when he again started all 13 games at left tackle. Dillard not only earned first-team All-Pac-12 accolades after protecting the blind side of star quarterback Gardner Minshew in all 13 games his senior year, but he also was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press.

Special Teams

It’s unlikely the Raiders will look at a kicker in the draft with Daniel Carlson doing such a terrific job in 2018, but a punter could be on their radar. Here’s a couple of those who stand out:

Jack Fox, Rice

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 213

Fox was a second-team all-state high school kicker in the St. Louis area before joining the Owls, setting a Missouri record with 17 made field goals in his senior season. He was also a first-team all-state punter, where Rice coaches planned to use his leg talent. Fox served as a kickoff specialist as a true freshman, creating 25 touchbacks on 51 kicks and making three tackles. He continued that duty throughout his career, sending 111 kickoffs into the end zone out of 200 attempts and posting nine coverage stops. Fox connected on 2 of 3 field goal attempts during his career (long of 29 yards) and also converted all 15 extra point attempts. Scouts are more interested in his punting skills after his gross average improved over the past three seasons, going from 40.7 yards per punt in 2016 to a 45.5 last fall that ranked in the top 10 nationally. Fox has consistently placed the ball inside the 20-yard line (74 times vs. 23 touchbacks) while forcing a good number of fair catches (71) in his 212 career boots.

Jake Bailey, Stanford

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 200

Bailey stayed in-state to sign with Stanford after being named a top-10 kicker and punter recruit from Santa Fe Christian High School. His first role with the Cardinal was as a kickoff specialist, where 11 of his 65 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. He improved those numbers over the next two seasons (44-71 in 2016, 58-83 in 2017) but earned accolades as a punter in those years. Bailey was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 pick as a sophomore (43.5 average, nine fair catches, 22 inside the 20, two touchbacks). Pac-12 coaches named him second-team all-conference in 2017 as he finished seventh in the country with 45.4 yards per punt (20 fair catches, 24 inside the 20 with three touchbacks).