Senior Bowl Primer

Draft Season is in full swing the East-West Shrine Game is over and the big Bowl weeks are beginning. Writer Nick Castillo took a look at the ten biggest standouts for the Shrine Game in this post.

Today I’ll be getting you ready for the Senior Bowl with some thoughts of my own. Be sure to be here all week as we’ll try to update you as much as possible throughout the week.

The most important thing about the Senior Bowl is not the game itself it’s the practices. Big Senior Bowl weeks can cause scouts and General Manaers to go back and look over the film for players who stand out and it can vault them into day 1 or two conversation sometimes.

First up is Tony Pauline’s tally of all official Senior Bowl particpants.  What also is important in the Senior Bowl and at this time of year in general are the official weigh-ins for players. Von Miller last year for example was heavier than people thought he would be which helped his stock and sometimes players come in much shorter than scouts expect or OL have small hands or short arms which are huge knocks (like saying a WR doesn’t have great speed) . A player like Joe Adams doesn’t want to measure in shorter than what scouts expect. Or if Kendall Wright for instance measures in at the combine at 5’9 instead of nearly 5’11 that could cost him draft slotting as well.

If you haven’t been following along there are a host of players who will not participate in the Senior Bowl because of injuries. The best might be Quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill, Nick Toon, and Kendall Wright are all potential round 1 picks.  Also missing will be Oklahoma State T Levy Addock, Iowa DT Mike Daniels, California LB Mychal Kendricks, Auburn T Brandon Mosley, and Midwestern State OL Amini Silatou (which is unfortante because he could have had a big week).

Reports are also that Penn State DT Devin Still will miss the Senior Bowl as well.

Wes Bunting takes a look at the top 10 offensive prospects and defensive prospects.

For the offense one guy to watch might be Dwight Jones, here’s what Bunting says about the North Carolina WR

Really came into his own during the second half of the year in 2010 and has simply gotten better ever since. Runs well and can accelerate quickly for a big receiver, exhibiting natural fluidity to his game in the process. Needs to improve as a route runner, but talent is there for this guy to be a play making starting wide out in the NFL

One defensive prospect who needs a good week is Courtney Upshaw. Upshaw is likely going to measure in shorter than ideal for a 43 DE so he’ll remain a 34 OLB, but he could really benefit by showing an ability to drop back in coverage. Upshaw has a chance to solidfy himself as a top 16 pick and as the best pass rusher in this draft class. Here’s what Bunting Says about Upshaw:

 like him as a 34 outside backer who can play on the strong side, take on linemen at the point and also rush the passer. He’s at his best attacking downhill, using his strong hands to disengage and always is around the football. Looks like a year one starter to me at the next level with scheme versatility

The Pioneer Press writes that the Vikings could benefit greatly from coaching the Senior Bowl this week.

Frazier plans to do more than motivate, hoping his up-close look at the roster – which might include several first-round picks – will pay dividends for the Vikings, who are expected to have 10 picks in April’s draft, including compensatory picks.

“The fact we get a chance to work hands-on with players, we get to talk with them, spend time with them, eat in the cafeteria with them, talk about their lifestyle – it will be immeasurable,” Frazier told reporters earlier in the week.

The Vikings arrived in Mobile on Saturday, complete with new defensive coordinator Alan Williams and defensive line coach Brendan Daly. Former defensive coordinator Fred Pagac, who accepted a demotion to linebackers coach, is expected to work closely with assistant Mike Singletary this week.

Nepatriotsdraft takes a look at every offensive and defensive prospect at the Senior Bowl. (Yes, every).

Players I’m interesting in following the progress of this week.

Ohio State Tackle Mike Adams

Adams really has a great opportunity this week. Adams looks very long on film and has better than anticipated athletic ability for his size. If he measures in big with long arms and looks fluid in pass protection throughout the week Adams will really improve his stock. Right now he’s a fringe first round prospect who might get over-drafted because of his position. By the end of the week he could be a solid first round pick who is coveted by teams and he could end as high as #10 to the Buffalo Bills or #13 overall to the Arizona Cardinals.

Northern Alabama Cornerback Janoris Jenkins

I’d be lying if I said I wished Jenkins play this year at Northern Alabama. This week though he can show that he’s still the same terrific player. Jenkins was higher than Prince Amukamara on some boards last year (not mine) and is a terrific cornerback prospect. If he can show the focus he needs to an interviews well Jenkins could end back in the first round where his talent alone says he belongs,

Louisiana Lafyette TE LaDarius Green

Is Green the next Jimmy Graham/Aaron Hernandez type tight end? Green is possibly the best small school prospect in the draft he has a terrific opportunity to establish himself as one of the top tight ends where people already think he belongs. This week though he’ll be facing the best and the brightest and needs a good week to validate that presumption of his abilities.

T Zebrie Sanders, Florida State

He’s in the same boat as Mike Adams. A Good week he becomes a first round prospect. A bad week and his stock could plummet.

WR Patrick Edwards Houston

Edwards was supremely productive this year at Houston, but he’s not even in our top 30 WR prospects. Was Edwards just a product of the system he plays in (which many draftniks think he is) or is there something more there that we’re missing.  A huge week from Edwards could have people rethinking his abilities. Right now he might not even get drafted despite putting up mind-boggling numbers. (1752 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns were his numbers this year).

TE Michael Egnew Missouri Tigers

Heading into the season Egnew was considered the top TE on some draftboards. He’s now a forgotton man. Can he bounce back and have a huge week at the Senior bowl reestablishing his stock?

Baylor Bears RB Terrance Ganaway

is Ganaway Michael Turner or is he more akin to a Jonathan Dwyer type player.

Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin Badgers

Wilson had a terrific season and my co-editor Sayre absolutely loves his abilities. I like his abilities too. I’m having a more difficult time getting over the Russell Wilson I saw at North Carolina State. The one prone to big mistakes and bad decisions. This year behind the best running game and offensive line in football (and not to mention with an early day WR prospect like Nick Toon) Wilson looked great. But what about that guy who wasn’t nearly as poised at North Carolina State. The height is a bit of a hinderance as well, but not nearly as much to me as it is for other players because Wilson moves around well and has a terrific arm. Can Wilson be the next Doug Flutie?

There are so many many more players I’m intersting in following this week.

Just a few:

Clemson DL’s Andre Branch (will he dominate, he could end up a 1st rounder as well) and Brandon Thompson (can he rush the passer enough), Arkansas DE Jake Bequette, Florida State LB Nigel Bradham (all the ability in the world, how coachable is he?), Arizona WR Juron Criner, South Carolina Athlete Melvin Ingram (what position will he play?), the Safety battle between Mark Barron and Markelle Martin. One of these two is likely to be the 1st safety drafted.

And Ryan Steed the Furman Cornerback. I love what little I’ve been able to see of him. Now he’s there with the big boys is he as talented as I think he is?