The crown jewel of draft season is officially underway in Indianapolis with the 2019 Scouting Combine going down at Lucas Oil Stadium. Over the next few days, athletes from across the country will be judged in skin-tight work out gear by some of the NFL’s top decision makers.
Scoff at about the so-called “Underwear Olympics” if you will, but this event is far from a joke for prospects trying to make their NFL dreams come true.
The combine will be dominated by storylines surrounding Kyler Murray’s size and Nick Bosa’s health, but who are some players that could quietly rise up the Raiders draft board we haven’t already talked about? Here are five players the Raiders should keep an eye on in Indianapolis.
5. Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan
Rashan Gary might be one of the most interesting, but underrated prospects in the entire class. Gary was a coveted recruit in high school and pinned as a top-3 lock before the college football season started, but seems to have been overlooked in the draft process so far.
Gary’s production at Michigan wasn’t as dominant as guys like Josh Allen from Kentucky, but Gary’s potential upside has teams buzzing. Gary has a very unique mix of size and athleticism on the defensive line, but there’s uncertainty about the position he’ll play at the next level.
Gary could blow people away with his athleticism on the field, and then answer a lot of questions that surround his position in the interview process. Gary’s draft stock could fly high after an impressive performance in Indy.
4. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Based on pure athleticism alone, Iowa’s Noah Fant might be the player I’m most excited to watch in the entire combine. That may sound a little over the top for a tight end, but once you see Fant work, you’ll understand.
Fant is an unreal athlete that can move like a shifty slot wide receiver and leap like Olympian, and I didn’t even mention he’s 6’4, 249 lbs! When you mention an Iowa tight end, all the hype surrounds Fant’s teammate, TJ Hockenson, but when Fant blows up the combine, he could be the Hawkeye tight end everyone wants a piece of.
It won’t be a surprise if Fant destroys a few combine records for the tight end position he’s that athletic. If Fant isn’t already a target for the Raiders late first round picks, after the combine, he will be.
3. Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB, Kentucky
Kentucky’s Lonnie Johnson Jr is about as curious of a prospect as they come. Why? He’s touted as a potential top-50 pick, maybe even higher, but he didn’t have an elite shut-down career in Lexington. A lot of Johnson’s hype comes from his mix of size, length, and athleticism.
Johnson stood out in Mobile with what looked to be a steady improvement over the Senior Bowl week. With another week like that the NFL Combine, Johnson could very well get into the CB1 conversation.
Calling the cornerback group in the 2019 class murky would be an understatement. A mix of Greedy Williams and Byron Murphy have reigned over the top of cornerback rankings all year, but each of those prospects has their question marks. Could any other corner step up and challenge Murphy and Williams? With a good combine, Johnson could be the guy.
2. Devin Bush Jr., LB, Michigan
There’s a mystique that surrounds the Raiders organization— the Raider Nation. With that mystique there comes an expectation for the players that don the Silver and Black; grit, attitude or whatever you want to call it, if you’re a Raiders fan, you know what I’m talking about.
Certain players each draft season fit that mystique, and this year it’s Michigan linebacker Devin Bush Jr. Bush is a nasty thumper that can run sideline to sideline in the heart of the defense, but there are question marks about his size, mainly his height. Bush’s combine intrigue doesn’t have much to do with what he’ll do on the field, but Bush could impress in the interview process at the combine and make evaluators forget about his size concerns.
Bush seems to have the alpha mentality the Raiders brass seek in a middle linebacker. If Bush can command the room at the combine and convince the Raiders that he can fix their linebacker woes of the past, there isn’t a doubt he could be a target for Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden.
1. Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State
Arguably one of the most exciting position groups in the entire 2019 draft class is the wide receivers, so we have to mention a wideout. When talking about wide receivers we hear about physical specimens like DK Metcalf and Hakeem Butler, Or speedsters like Andy Isabella and Hollywood Brown.
In the confusion of who is the classes true WR 1, somehow NC State’s Kelvin Harmon seems to be forgotten. Harmon is as dynamic of a receiver as this class has to offer, but we haven’t heard much about him since the Wolfpack’s season ended. Harmon could be inline to remind everyone of who is out in Indy.
Harmon may not jump off the screen in any specific event, but he won’t disappoint in any either. Harmon is incredibly consistent and well rounded for a receiver prospect with no glaring flaws.
While others may falter at the combine, Harmon could continue his steady climb in the receiver rankings. The Raiders are in dire needs of a complete receiver overhaul, and Harmon could be a piece to build on.
