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2018 Senior Bowl: 10 players worth watching for 2018 NFL Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Allen Lazard #5 of the Iowa State Cyclones pulls in a touchdown pass as safety Darius Curry #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys blocks in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Oklahoma State Cowboys won 49-42 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Allen Lazard #5 of the Iowa State Cyclones pulls in a touchdown pass as safety Darius Curry #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys blocks in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Oklahoma State Cowboys won 49-42 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Kurt Benkert, QB, Virginia

It wouldn’t be a complete list without a quarterback to watch, though I think perhaps the most intriguing quarterback(s) have yet to accept invitations to the Senior Bowl (cough–Josh Allen–cough).

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Benkert has been inconsistent this season, to say the least, but he played perhaps the best game of his life against Miami, which I have posted above.

Benkert was dropping dimes in the Miami game, and despite throwing a bad interception at one point, the majority of the passes he made were excellent: On time, on target, and with the proper velocity.

I’m intrigued to see how he fares in an environment like the Senior Bowl, though this game is never typically a great barometer for quarterback prospects. There’s no chemistry with the receivers, and defensive players are able to time the snap counts pretty easily, which is why pass rushers often shine at Senior Bowl practices.

Benkert is the type of player, though, that could show off to scouts why he was considered one of the most underrated players throughout the season. And whether or not that game against Miami was more than just a mirage.

Key Stat: Benkert has thrown three or more touchdown passes in 6 of Virginia’s 12 games in 2017.

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