3 defensive standouts from the Panini Senior Bowl game who perfectly fit the Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders had to love what they saw in the Senior Bowl.
The Las Vegas Raiders are likely going into the offseason knowing they will be drafting Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall. That’s the only pick they have where they know for a fact who they will be taking, as every other pick from there on out will be unknown, as you never know who will be drafted where.
So, doing their due diligence will be important for the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s hard to say what else they will do because no head coach has been hired yet. And, they have $88 million in cap space available, so the roster could look completely different before the draft than it does now. However, it’s pretty easy to know the positions they should look at in the draft. Now, where they should target those guys in the draft is a different story.
The Senior Bowl has passed, and the Raiders have several representatives out there all week. On Saturday, the game was played, and we got to see live-action reps of players we know could be perfect fits for the Raiders defensively. To break these players down, we’ve got some help from A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson, who was on site at the Senior Bowl all week.
3 defensive Senior Bowl standouts who fit the Las Vegas Raiders perfectly
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida Gators
Few players boosted their draft stock at the Senior Bowl more than Caleb Banks. Entering the week as a borderline first-round talent, Banks reinforced that perception with a strong showing. He was consistently dominant at the point of attack, winning one-on-one matchups and impacting team drills. Notably, his get-off and effective power were standout qualities. Banks projects as a player who can adapt quickly to a starting role without issue. – Rob Gregson
Kamari Tamsey, LB, USC
Kamari Ramsey didn’t blow anyone away in Mobile, but the years of tape speak for themselves. To me, he’s a versatile defensive chess piece. You want him in the post as a single high center fielder; he can do it. You want him covering tight ends and wide receivers out of the slot; he’s got the coverage ability to be a nickel. He can also get off the hash and play top to bottom in split looks like quarters and cover 2. I don’t see someone who is a lock first-rounder or ca n’t-miss prospect, but he screams 10-year veteran to me. Some players just have the football IQ and versatility requisite of a defensive playmaker. – Rob Gregson
Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
Nadame Tucker, from Western Michigan, used the Senior Bowl to demonstrate his NFL potential. His quick adaptation to higher competition and notable in-game impact—five tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss—signal that, despite coming from a smaller school, he can transition and contribute as an edge rusher at the next level. He is relentless in his pass-rush plan and has an extremely high motor. Those are the types of players the Raiders love, especially on the edge.
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