The first day of media availability for players got underway at the 2026 NFL Combine, with linebackers and defensive linemen taking the stage.

Of the players in attendance, there are several prospects in the mix for the Raiders. Here are some notes and quotes from Wednesday morning.

Rueben Bain took the podium as the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He enjoyed one of the best collegiate seasons of any defensive lineman, totaling 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss as a Miami Hurricane.

When asked what makes him the top lineman in this year's draft, he pointed to his versatility, believing he can line up at any spot on the defensive line. He also mentioned Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby as one of the players he models his game after.

One podium over from Bain was another top rusher in David Bailey. After spending three seasons at Stanford, he blew up at outside linebacker for Texas Tech his senior season and tied Western Michigan's Nadame Tucker for the most sacks in the FBS with 14.5. The All-American also racked up three forced fumbles and 19.5 tackles for loss.

Considering Klint Kubiak mentioned Wednesday that the Raiders defense will be a 3-4 base under Rob Leonard, Bailey would be a perfect fit in that system. Scouts will get to see him in actions as Bailey said he'll be partaking in a large majority of the live drills this week.

"I think it's just my athletic ability and just pass rushing ability," Bailey said of what he feels he brings to a NFL team "We have great edge rushers this draft class for sure, but I think just my athletic overall ability."

Ohio State had a pair of linebackers garner a lot of attention in Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Reese is predicted to be a top five pick thanks to his ability to play off-ball and off the edge at an elite level. The consensus All-American and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year totaled 6.5 quarterback sacks, 10 tackles for loss and two pass deflections in 2025.

"I think I [have] a lot to get better at outside linebacker and edge as far as pass rushing and coverage," Reese said, "but I think I can adapt to it quick."

Styles, who switched from safety to linebacker at Ohio State, has prototypical size and athleticism to be a standout SAM or WILL linebacker at the next level. He had 182 combined tackles, eight pass deflections and seven quarterback sacks as an upperclassman.

If Styles participates in live drills, he could solidify himself as a first-round pick this April.