Raiders Mailbag: Klint Kubiak turns his attention to the NFL Combine

With the NFL Combine set to kick off next week, Raiders offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and the rest of the organization’s decision-makers are intensifying their draft preparations. Among the most pressing items on the club’s checklist is locating an edge-rushing complement to All-Pro Maxx Crosby, a point driven home by a question in this week’s mailbag from Christopher John Armstrong of Nevada.

“Get an edge rusher to be a book end for Maxx Crosby,” Armstrong wrote, echoing a sentiment shared by much of Raider Nation.

The upcoming combine will showcase a handful of promising pass-rushers, and one name already generating buzz inside the building is Miami’s Akheem Mesidor. The 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive end benefited from lining up opposite Hurricanes teammate Rueben Bain, a potential first-round pick in his own right. The duo’s combined production has scouts eager to see how Mesidor tests in Indianapolis, particularly in agility drills that highlight his burst off the line and ability to convert speed to power.

For Kubiak, the week in Indianapolis is about more than just 40-yard dash times and bench-press reps. It is an opportunity to sit down with prospects, gauge football IQ, and determine how a player might fit within the culture being cultivated in the desert. While Kubiak’s primary focus remains orchestrating the Raiders’ offense, his input on high-upside defenders who can change field position quickly is valued in a draft room searching for impact talent.

Las Vegas owns seven selections in April’s draft, including the No. 13 overall pick. Adding a dynamic edge rusher to pair with Crosby would not only fortify the defensive front but also allow defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to deploy more varied pressure packages. The franchise has not had a double-digit sack duo since 2017, and finding that second threat off the edge could be the catalyst for a long-awaited return to the postseason.

As the combine draws near, keep an eye on Mesidor’s interviews and on-field workouts. A strong showing could cement his status as a legitimate target for the Raiders, giving Kubiak and company the bookend pass-rusher they covet.