Las Vegas Raiders: Which 2022 NFL Combine drills to watch per position

9 of 9

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Defensive back Trevon Diggs of Alabama runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: Which 2022 NFL Combine drills to watch per position

DB: Field drills

There are varying styles of corners and safeties, so like wide receivers, it is essential to know which drills may be relevant to one player and not the other. Big physical corners may not need to run sub 4.4 in the 40-yard dash or be incredible in the change of direction drills, but those could be crucial for an undersized corner. If you get both, take that guy in the top 5.

Safeties are even more interesting because with how prevalent the passing game has become, they need to cover almost as well as corners. You’ll still have some single high or box players, but at some point, if you can’t cover teams will exploit you.

Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warms up before the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

3 Reasons Raiders are smart to shut down Derek Carr rumors

New Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is saying all the right things at this year's NFL Combine, especially with regards to quarterback Derek Carr.

However, I highlight the field drills for defensive backs because it reveals so much. They show how fluid a player is in being able to backpedal, turn and run, open their hips, and change direction. All of which directly translate to the field regardless of whether there is a receiver in front of them or not.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders Draft