Dave Ziegler, Raiders preparing for 2023 NFL Draft

Ziegler gave a detailed evaluation of the draft class, with the quarterback, cornerback and tight end positions being a few in question. It’s been a process for his team to look a different players and predict how their skillset could be maximized in McDaniels’ system. Ziegler is also not limiting evaluating to just his scouting department and coaching staff, but extending to his players as well. He noted he’s been getting some solid intel from a few Raiders who have played with or against a few prospects in the 2023 draft class.

With the cohesion and continuity developed since first arriving to Las Vegas a year ago, Ziegler also believes he’s more confident going into his second NFL Draft with his staff aligned.

“Last year was the first time I had worked with our group going through this process, and now we’re kind of in year two, and so you have a little bit of a better understanding. The guys have a little bit of a better understanding of what we’re looking for,” he said. “There was less teaching going on, more just getting into the nuts and bolts of the film, the nuts and bolts of the evaluation process. Many more people speaking the same language and things of that nature. That all has led to just a more comfortable, and I’d say, clear, fluid process for us.

“It doesn’t guarantee any results, but we definitely feel confident in what we’ve done, and I feel confident in the group that we have and the level of comfort is high.”