Senior Bowl week

[CATCH17]

The game is this Saturday.. Can't wait.



Link to the Rosters


http://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters-2017.php?squad=North

 

[tm1119]

Well this will be a good chance to look at some of the secondary pass rushers...Kpassagnon, Willis, Smoot, Basham, Keionta Davis, Carrol. Good group there for the 2nd/3rd rounds

 

[Risen Star]

He doesn't care about proper nutrition or the risk of obesity. He just carelessly suggests to our youth they should binge on junk food.

Man, I can't stand that guy.

 

[RS12]

Defensive Line

There is an enormous amount of potential second day talent to be found on the defensive line.

What to look for? Here’s a quick run down on half a dozen players.

Tarell Basham of Ohio and Jordan Willis from Kansas State are both athletic college pass rushers that cause disruption up the field.

But how will they hold up against the run?

I presently grade both as third round picks but fear each player may be a liability against the run. Good results during one-on-one drills and scrimmage could push either into the top 60.

Villanova’s Tanoh Kpassagnon entered the season stamped as a potential top 75 choice but played disappointing football in 2016. In my opinion part of the problem was Kpassagnon played out of position as a 4-3 defensive end.

Will coaches push Kpassagnon inside to defensive tackle? Line him up as a two gap end? Both seem like better fits for the big lineman.

Keionta Davis was a pass rushing terror for Tennessee Chattanooga but now must show he can compete against a higher level of competition. Being on the South squad Davis will face off against the likes of Antonio Garcia and Conor McDermott, both tough challenges.

During the year I was outspoken on Tanzel Smart being one of the better three technique prospects in this year’s draft. The Tulane product is quick, athletic and moves well laterally. I suspect he’ll face off against Ethan Pocic of LSU from time-to-time and that will be a great opportunity to prove his worth.

http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-preview-defense

 

[RS12]

Tight Ends/Wide Receivers

There are a number of good stories at the tight end position such as Michael Roberts of Toledo who hopes to keep the momentum going after a strong week at Shrine practice.

There’s the off the field dilemma of FIU’s Jonnu Smith who is a terrific pass catcher in his own right.

And another outstanding pass catcher, hometown favorite Gerald Everett of South Alabama, a week five riser who will take a field familiar to him.

Yet in the end Alabama’s O.J. Howard may have the most on the line.

Rated as our number one tight end, Senior Bowl practices could help determine if Howard is a top twelve selection or a bottom of round one choice.

Howard is athletic, runs well and can block but criticism of his game centers around inconsistent hands. If he drops any catchable passes in drills Howard can kiss the top fifteen goodbye.

Amba Etta-Tawo from Syracuse also has a lot riding on the week.

The Maryland transfer burst on to the scene at Syracuse in 2016 after pedestrian production at his former school. Was Etta-Tawo a product of the new system installed by coach Dino Babers? Or is he the real deal?

His measurables, speed in one-on-one drills and hands will all be under close inspection next week.

Offensive Linemen

Troy tackle Antonio Garcia may have more on the line than anyone in attendance next week.

Relatively unknown entering the season, Garcia improved every aspect of his game and really jumped off the film in 2016. As reported back in mid-December a number of teams grade Garcia as the top tackle from the senior class. Strong showings throughout the week, especially during drills in the pit, could push Garcia into the initial 42 picks.

http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-preview-offense

 

[RS12]

 

[RS12]

TOP PROSPECT
Ryan Anderson | EDGE | Alabama
With elite teammates like Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams, Anderson has been flying under the radar all season long, but his performance in the College Football Playoff proved how disruptive he can be. He may not have Williams’ explosive first step, but he’s a more well-rounded prospect who converts speed to power extremely well as a rusher. A strong week in Mobile could solidify Anderson as a top-20 prospect in his own right.

Runner-Up
Justin Evans | S | Texas A&M

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/01/22/2017-senior-bowl-preview-south-defense/

TOP PROSPECT
Desmond King | DB | Iowa
He could have been one of the first corners off the board in last year’s draft, but King elected to return to the Hawkeyes for his senior season. Opposing quarterbacks wisely avoided him more often in 2016, which is the biggest reason for his drop in production (just two interceptions after snagging eight in 2015), but his traits haven’t gone anywhere. His lack of elite speed might have some teams considering a move to safety, but while his strengths would certainly be useful at that spot, I’m not convinced he can’t be an impact player at corner in the right situation. Regardless of where he lines up, King is a first-round talent.

Runner-Up
Jaleel Johnson | DL | Iowa

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/01/22/2017-senior-bowl-preview-north-defense/

 

[CATCH17]

Yet in the end Alabama’s O.J. Howard may have the most on the line.

Rated as our number one tight end, Senior Bowl practices could help determine if Howard is a top twelve selection or a bottom of round one choice.

Howard is athletic, runs well and can block but criticism of his game centers around inconsistent hands. If he drops any catchable passes in drills Howard can kiss the top fifteen goodbye.



http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-preview-offense

Please be a bottom of round 1 choice. Preferably Dallas.

 

[tm1119]

Defensive Line

There is an enormous amount of potential second day talent to be found on the defensive line.

What to look for? Here’s a quick run down on half a dozen players.

Tarell Basham of Ohio and Jordan Willis from Kansas State are both athletic college pass rushers that cause disruption up the field.

But how will they hold up against the run?

I presently grade both as third round picks but fear each player may be a liability against the run. Good results during one-on-one drills and scrimmage could push either into the top 60.

Villanova’s Tanoh Kpassagnon entered the season stamped as a potential top 75 choice but played disappointing football in 2016. In my opinion part of the problem was Kpassagnon played out of position as a 4-3 defensive end.

Will coaches push Kpassagnon inside to defensive tackle? Line him up as a two gap end? Both seem like better fits for the big lineman.

Keionta Davis was a pass rushing terror for Tennessee Chattanooga but now must show he can compete against a higher level of competition. Being on the South squad Davis will face off against the likes of Antonio Garcia and Conor McDermott, both tough challenges.

During the year I was outspoken on Tanzel Smart being one of the better three technique prospects in this year’s draft. The Tulane product is quick, athletic and moves well laterally. I suspect he’ll face off against Ethan Pocic of LSU from time-to-time and that will be a great opportunity to prove his worth.

http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-preview-defense

Conference player of the year with 11 sacks and 21.5 TFL is disappointing? I know it's small school competition, but what can you really expect? He had to have 20 sacks to impress?

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I don't get the infatuation/buzz with Taywan Taylor. I don't see any special element to his game. Reminds me of Leonte Carroo from last year.

 

[MrPhil]

Please be a bottom of round 1 choice. Preferably Dallas.

That would be fine with me.

 

[WillieBeamen]

Please be a bottom of round 1 choice. Preferably Dallas.

This board will be insufferable if we take him


But im all for it. The TE position killed us all year and Witten just doesnt have it anymore.

 

[Bigdog]

TOP PROSPECT
Ryan Anderson | EDGE | Alabama
With elite teammates like Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams, Anderson has been flying under the radar all season long, but his performance in the College Football Playoff proved how disruptive he can be. He may not have Williams’ explosive first step, but he’s a more well-rounded prospect who converts speed to power extremely well as a rusher. A strong week in Mobile could solidify Anderson as a top-20 prospect in his own right.

Runner-Up
Justin Evans | S | Texas A&M

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/01/22/2017-senior-bowl-preview-south-defense/

TOP PROSPECT
Desmond King | DB | Iowa
He could have been one of the first corners off the board in last year’s draft, but King elected to return to the Hawkeyes for his senior season. Opposing quarterbacks wisely avoided him more often in 2016, which is the biggest reason for his drop in production (just two interceptions after snagging eight in 2015), but his traits haven’t gone anywhere. His lack of elite speed might have some teams considering a move to safety, but while his strengths would certainly be useful at that spot, I’m not convinced he can’t be an impact player at corner in the right situation. Regardless of where he lines up, King is a first-round talent.

Runner-Up
Jaleel Johnson | DL | Iowa

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/01/22/2017-senior-bowl-preview-north-defense/

Ryan Anderson is another player I like that I would hope to go under the radar. Hope he would fall to us in Rd 2 or 3 but that is highly unlikely. He is just a solid, smart, know his assignment player.

 

[CATCH17]

This board will be insufferable if we take him


But im all for it. The TE position killed us all year and Witten just doesnt have it anymore.

I don't care.


From a pure football standpoint this would be a great pick and a much better pick than all of the other TE's we've taken because we will actually use this player in our current scheme. We need this type of player.

I'm fine with a Right tackle too. It's a bigger need than TE but I just think if OJ howard is there at 28 he will easily be the best player left in the 1st round.


Setting the edge, getting vertical and occupying a safety, and just giving Dak another big target in the middle of the field would be huge for this offense.


All things equal I want a defensive talent but at this point I can't see a DE or CB being a better player than OJ Howard.

 

[big dog cowboy]

But im all for it. The TE position killed us all year and Witten just doesnt have it anymore.

The Cowboys had a top 5 offense. Exactly how did Witten kill us?

 

[Plankton]

Deshaun Watson made a poor choice not playing in this game. He needs a week like this to have the opportunity to bolster his stock, and playing for Hue Jackson this week would have been huge.

 

[CATCH17]

Deshaun Watson made a poor choice not playing in this game. He needs a week like this to have the opportunity to bolster his stock, and playing for Hue Jackson this week would have been huge.

He probably knows that the style of football he plays doesn't translate well to the NFL so he wants to spend as much time as possible practicing it before being under a microscope.


I don't think he'll be anything more than mediocre unless he learns how to read a defense.

 

[WillieBeamen]

The Cowboys had a top 5 offense. Exactly how did Witten kill us?

Did you not pay attention to when we were using Looney as an extra lineman because we had nobody to replace Swaim?

Escobar negating long runs by Zeke because of holding penalties

Did you not see Witten whiffing on blocks in key moments in the game vs Green Bay?

 

[Plankton]

He probably knows that the style of football he plays doesn't translate well to the NFL so he wants to spend as much time as possible practicing it before being under a microscope.

I don't think he'll be anything more than mediocre unless he learns how to read a defense.

If he came in this week, and showed improvement from the beginning of the week to the end, it would have helped him. Also, to be able to work under a coaching staff with a humongous need at QB, and two first round picks, he didn't make a smart move in sitting out.

 

[CATCH17]

Did you not pay attention to when we were using Looney as an extra lineman because we had nobody to replace Swaim?

Escobar negating long runs by Zeke because of holding penalties

Did you not see Witten whiffing on blocks in key moments in the game vs Green Bay?

I'm with you.

Witten is still GREAT at getting open underneath but he has declined dramatically as a blocker and a guy who gets separation down field.

Also, Witten was much better this year because somehow he managed to stay healthy and not play through injuries like he did in 2015.


I just want a stud TE. Heck we could even sign someone but start preserving Witten more for later on in the year.

If he were smart he'd let someone cut into his role and play another 3 or 4 years.