It used to be NFL pundits would nod knowingly at the news of a scorching time in the 40-yard dash and immediately connect the young sprinter to the Raiders.

That was because late owner Al Davis had a need for speed that bordered on obsession, and many a draft pick (Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford, Taiwan Jones) were plucked from the NFL draft mostly on a quality that can’t be coached.

Times have changed for the Raiders, who like every other team is open to having the fastest man at his position but under general manager Reggie McKenzie and Jack Del Rio are more apt to be smitten with size and power.

Which makes LaQuan McGowan a man to watch for the Raiders in the late rounds of the draft and the flurry of free agency that follows for those who were not selected.

McGowan, a tight end from Baylor, measured in at a shade over 6-foot-6 and weighed 405 pounds, according to NFL.com.

According to profooballtalk.com, the heaviest player in NFL history was Detroit lineman Aaron Gibson, who got to his high at 410 pounds but was “only” 386 at the NFL scouting combine.

Chances are McGowan projects as an offensive lineman in the NFL, although he was an eligible receiver in the Baylor spread offense who caught three passes in his career _ all for touchdowns.

The Raiders have one of the biggest lines in captivity, with the potential starting five of tackles Donald Penn (340 pounds) and Austin Howard (330), guards Gabe Jackson (336) and Kalechi Osemele (330) and center Rodney Hudson (300) weighing in at just over 327 pounds per man.

One of the guards they brought in for a look-see this off-season is Mitch Bell, who weights 345 pounds.

Defensively, the Raiders started one of the biggest pairs of tackles ever seen at Dan Williams (315 but listed as high as 335 some years) and Justin “Jelly” Ellis (334).

McGowan is considered somewhat of an NFL long shot, given that he wasn’t invited to the scouting combine. Yet at 405 pounds _ down five from his junior season _ McGowan still managed a 5.41 time in the 40-yard dash in his only attempt at his Pro Day.

“I don’t see myself playing tight end in the NFL obviously,” McGowan told the Baylor campus newspaper. “I’m not like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. I’m looking to play fullback or guard.”

A 405-pound lead blocker in short-yardage? That’s something running back Latavius Murray could get behind.