Las Vegas Raiders: 2023 NFL Scouting Combine Day 1 observations

Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson (LB28) participates in drills during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson (LB28) participates in drills during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Raiders should target Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) leaves the field after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 55-3. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Raiders should target Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) leaves the field after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 55-3. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /

The Las Vegas Raiders saw positions of need on display on Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, and here are some observations.

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off the on-field workouts on Thursday, and fans of the Las Vegas Raiders should be very excited about what they saw. The defensive linemen and linebackers took centerstage on Day 1 and based on their physical gifts, some elite players are headed to the NFL.

Here, we look at a few observations from the action inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Day 1.

Las Vegas Raiders: 2023 NFL Scouting Combine Day 1 observations

Will Anderson Jr. is the real deal

If there was any question about why Will Anderson Jr. is considered the best prospect in this draft class,  those went out the window with his performance on Thursday. In fact, he put up similar numbers to former Raiders great Khalil Mack in terms of his 40-yard dash and 10-yard split, coming in at 4.60 and 1.61, respectively.

He very much looks the part of a player who will be a dominant edge rusher in the league for many years, and if he is not taken No. 1 overall, he definitely is not going to slip outside of the top-3 selections.