Las Vegas Raiders: Which Combine drills to keep an eye on per position

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Linebacker Bobby Okereke of Stanford in action during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

LB: Short shuttle, 3-cone

As Raiders fans, we have seen our fair share of struggles at the linebacker position. And it is rooted in our inability to find more athletic players who are better suited for the way football is played.

One drill that has been pointed out as necessary among linebackers is the short shuttle. Having explosiveness is always something you want, but the change of direction has been so crucial as linebackers have to operate more and more in space.

Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner have been at the top of the position for years, and both are not only incredibly smart but possessed great athleticism and the ability to excel in open space.

The broad jump could also be included for linebackers, but I think it’s been mentioned so often it was worth highlighting another drill. But being able to react quickly is crucial.

If anyone knows how difficult it can be having linebackers without these athletic traits, it’s the Raiders, which is why the position seems a must-have this coming draft.

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