Patrick Graham Back With Senior Bowl Players at OTAs

Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was head coach of the National Team at this year's Senior Bowl.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham had the opportunity to coach the National Team at the 2023 Senior Bowl in February.

Not only was Graham surrounded by some of the best players in this year's NFL Draft, but he had a chance to scout some of the prospects for the Raiders.

Raiders' draftees such as defensive back Jakorian Bennett, defensive lineman Nesta Jade Silvera and wide receiver Tre Tucker were on Graham's team at the Senior Bowl. In contrast, prospects like defensive back Christopher Smith II and defensive lineman Byron Young from Alabama played for the American Team. 

"The beauty of the Senior Bowl -- and I'm real appreciative that Dave [Ziegler] and Josh [McDaniels] recommended me for that and also those guys down there at the Senior Bowl [that] selected me to do that -- you got a jump-start on the process," Graham told reporters on Thursday. "You got a chance to coach in real-life coaching and got to see how the guys reacted for most of the guys that I was around -- and at some point during the week; I was around all the guys. At some point, they were real receptive to coaching; they worked hard, and there was a week-long process. And you're seeing that same attitude, that same work ethic out here on the field. 

"And smart, tough, dependable players, that's what you're trying to build the team around. And they showed some of that when we were with them for a short period of time. ... But again, they're just rookies. They don't know what they know yet. There's no light at the end of the tunnel right now, and they're probably swimming a little bit. But they're learning and working hard."

Graham is entering his second year as defensive coordinator for the Raiders. He was previously the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins.

The Raiders' offseason workout schedule is as follows:

OTA Offseason workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 31-June 2, June 12-15

Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8

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