NFL

Mayock Eager for First NFL Combine as a GM

Raiders' new executive says he'll focus as much on getting talent in the seventh round as in the first

For Mike Mayock, Tuesday is a bit like Christmas morning. It’s Day 1 of the NFL combine in Indianapolis, which means it’s Mayock’s first real experience at a big event as a general manager.

After years of being a draft analyst for the NFL Network – gathering and sharing information about prospects with readers, viewers and fellow media members – this will be a change. As he gathers information, he’s going to keep it to himself and share it only with other members of the Raiders organization.

“A year ago my job was to give out as much information as I can, and this year it’s quite the opposite,” Mayock told reporters on the eve of the combine, reported Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. “I’ve got to train myself a little bit because I’ve got a big friggin’ mouth when I talk football, and I’ve got to watch myself a little bit.”

The Raiders have three first-round picks, so Mayock is eager to study the most highly acclaimed prospects in person to get a handle on their fitness, character and personalities. But he says his first draft will be measured also on his ability to bring in impactful talent on Day 3. He'll also need to find some undrafted free-agent gems.

So, he’s eager to gather as much information as he can this entire week in Indianapolis.

“I care as much about the two seventh-round picks as I do the three first-round picks,” Mayock said. “This is what I’ve learned from my guys around the league the last 18 years: If you don’t pay as much respect to the seventh-round kid and that free-agent kid as the first-round kid, you’ll never build a team.”

Medical exams and interviews begin Tuesday, with drills starting Friday. Nearly 340 draft-eligible players have been invited to the combine. Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden will have 10 picks in the draft – including four in the top 35 (Nos. 4, 24, 27 and 35).

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