Antonio Pierce Takes Charge of His First NFL Combine as Raiders Head Coach

The NFL Combine is always a hectic time for college prospects hoping to hear their name called in the draft. But for new Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, this year’s event in Indianapolis held a special significance – it was his first time experiencing the pre-draft process from the perspective of an evaluator rather than an examinee.

As a former standout linebacker at Arizona, Pierce knows all too well the stress and scrutiny of the Combine from nearly two decades ago when he was going through the same gauntlet. But now calling the shots for the Silver and Black, the fiery competitor has brought his trademark intensity and “next man up” mentality to the Raiders’ scouting efforts.

While immersed in film study and interviews throughout the week, Pierce made it clear he’s looking to add more talent and depth along both lines of scrimmage as well as the secondary. But beyond just athletic ability and size, the first-year coach emphasized intangibles like leadership, toughness, and passion for the game as he seeks players with a little of his own “AP” flair.

Antonio Pierce isn’t afraid to call prospects’ bluffs during interviews either, drawing on his own Combine experiences. As he wraps up his initial look at the 2024 class, the Raiders appear to be in capable hands with Pierce leading the charge in his element at the NFL Combine.

Pierce Looks for Players With His Own Competitive Spirit

In discussing the traits he looks for in draft prospects, Antonio Pierce stated that any players selected by the Raiders will “have a little bit of AP in them,” referring to himself. The former linebacker is trying to identify that same fiery competitiveness and “next man up” mentality that drove his own career.

Pierce wants players who love the game and want to prove themselves as Raiders. While evaluating athletic testing and physical tools is part of the process, intangibles like leadership, toughness, and passion are at the top of the priority list for the Raiders’ new head coach.

As his first NFL Combine as a coach wraps up, Antonio Pierce seems energized by the challenge of adding to a Raiders roster that already has some strong pieces in place. Only time will tell if he is able to find prospects with the skills and intangibles needed to succeed in silver and black. But with Pierce taking charge of the scouting efforts and infusing his own competitive spirit throughout the organization, the Raiders appear to be in capable hands under their intense new leader.