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Combine Notebook: Linebackers, defensive linemen speak on their meetings with Raiders

NFL teams and media alike are becoming more familiar with the 2025 draft class in Indianapolis.

After the majority of head coaches and general managers spoke Tuesday, media availability for players began Wednesday – starting with defensive line, linebackers and placekickers. Among the top names that spoke were All-American Abdul Carter and national champions Mykel Williams and Mason Graham, who could all be considered candidates to be drafted with the Raiders No. 6 pick.

Here are notes and quotes from Wednesday's media availability of a few prospects that have been linked with the team.

Notes and Quotes from Wednesday's media availability:

  • Michigan's defensive lineman Mason Graham could be in play with the No. 6 pick after being named a unanimous All-American in 2024 along with a First-Team All-Big Ten selection. He finished his collegiate career with nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss, and his 91.1 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus was the highest of any interior defensive lineman in the nation.
  • "They're a great organization as well," Graham said of the Raiders. "Pete Carroll is a cool guy. A player's coach so it was good to meet with them."
  • Another standout defensive lineman the Raiders have met with is Mike Green from Marshall. He's made a name for himself as arguably the top defensive Group of Five prospect. He led the nation in sacks (17) in 2024 and started the draft process with a bang during Senior Bowl practice week.
  • "All the teams here are great, but the meeting with the Raiders was great," Green said. "They definitely do a good job of explaining to you how their system is. They got to get know me a lot. Head coach [Pete Carroll] got to know me a lot and it was just a blessing to go in there and talk to everybody."
  • Linebacker Carson Schwesinger had some kind words for his former head coach at UCLA Chip Kelly, who became the Raiders offensive coordinator this offseason. While he was on the other side of the ball, the Kelly connection could tie the Raiders to the former walk-on who totaled 90 solo tackles and four sacks his senior season with the Bruins.
  • "I think they're getting a great coach," Schwesinger said of Kelly. "Offensive guy, but that offensive mind – you can pull up any of the games, there's free runners running wide open every game for the most part. They're really getting a pretty genius offensive mind."
  • UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard said that while he hasn't met with the Raiders at the Combine yet, he's talked with them during the pre-draft process. The Silver and Black more than likely have a good amount of intel on the hometown college prospect as the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year helped lead the Rebels to a 20-8 record in his two seasons there. He led in the MWC in solo tackles (66) last season to go along with four interceptions.
  • Jack Kiser, Notre Dame linebacker, also confirmed he's met with Las Vegas, while name-dropping his former teammate Thomas Harper who started five games as a rookie. Kiser comes into the draft with 69 career games under his belt and led the Fighting Irish in solo tackles (55) in 2024. He had five total tackles in the 2024 CFB Playoff National Championship game against Ohio State back in January.
  • "First off, I think [there's] a lot of great guys in that locker room," Kiser said of the Raiders. "Thomas Harper is a Notre Dame guy that is there now. But you just look again, the high motor, the never quit mentality that they have and the grittiness that they have to them. Certainly a very interesting and unique and fun defense in that regard."

For more content from the 2025 Combine, visit raiders.com/combine.

Check out the Raiders' best celebration photos of 2024.

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