2018 NFL Draft: Official Senior Bowl Thread
- Thread starter gmf1369
- Start date
Yes it is.
Gonna start calling him Rashad $$dollar
Doesn't look like Hack 2.0, more like Wentz-light +. At least in that limited sample, I don't see the accuracy issues we have been reading about. Bottom line is that we will have some real good options at #6 between Rosen, Darnold, Bradley, Allen, Mayfield and perhaps Chubb. What do you think?
I've been watching the practices and the accuracy issues ARE there. I watched him overthrow badly a practice target, ( net with 3 pockets ) from just a few feet off. I saw him make several other errant throws. To be fair I did see him make some really great throws as well. The problem with him is consistency. Can he overcome this and become an accurate passer ? I think that any team watching his day to day performance is asking themselves the same question.
[h=1]Jets meet with QB Baker Mayfield during Senior Bowl week[/h] The New York Jets have three months to evaluate the quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL draft -- and every other position, of course. The process gained momentum this week in Mobile, Alabama, where two of the top four quarterback prospects -- Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield -- practiced at the Senior Bowl.
Based on reports out of Mobile, Mayfield outperformed Allen on the practice field -- one small piece in a giant puzzle that will come together before the April 27 draft. The game will be played on Saturday (2:30 p.m., NFL Network), although Mayfield isn't expected to play.
The Jets had a private sitdown with Mayfield, one of the many prospects they met with in Mobile. The Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma met "extensively" with the Jets, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans, according to The MMQB. From what I'm told, the Jets didn't meet with Mayfield any longer than the other players.
In the coming weeks and months, the Jets will have quite a bit of interaction with Mayfield, Allen, Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen -- i.e. meetings, classroom sessions and private workouts. In Mayfield's case, the meetings are vital because of questions about his character and off-the-field behavior.
"That's the only upside for me (attending the Senior Bowl)," Mayfield told The MMQB. "I'm confident I can show exactly what I'm about, how much I care about football and how I'd do anything to win. And not just that. Put me on a board and let me show you how much I know about the game. Let me show that I can pick information up, take it and run with it. Getting in front of these people was so important, even bigger than the three years of film I put together."
Based on reports out of Mobile, Mayfield outperformed Allen on the practice field -- one small piece in a giant puzzle that will come together before the April 27 draft. The game will be played on Saturday (2:30 p.m., NFL Network), although Mayfield isn't expected to play.
The Jets had a private sitdown with Mayfield, one of the many prospects they met with in Mobile. The Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma met "extensively" with the Jets, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans, according to The MMQB. From what I'm told, the Jets didn't meet with Mayfield any longer than the other players.
In the coming weeks and months, the Jets will have quite a bit of interaction with Mayfield, Allen, Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen -- i.e. meetings, classroom sessions and private workouts. In Mayfield's case, the meetings are vital because of questions about his character and off-the-field behavior.
"That's the only upside for me (attending the Senior Bowl)," Mayfield told The MMQB. "I'm confident I can show exactly what I'm about, how much I care about football and how I'd do anything to win. And not just that. Put me on a board and let me show you how much I know about the game. Let me show that I can pick information up, take it and run with it. Getting in front of these people was so important, even bigger than the three years of film I put together."
Josh Allen Senior Bowl Interview
The heavy favorite to be the first Senior Bowl prospect drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft is Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. As we reported in the Hot Press on Tuesday, some general managers think Allen's stock could skyrocket at the combine as he will show off his great skill set. The 6-foot-4, 237-pounder Allen also is said to be a good kid and could impress in the team interviews.
Allen was one of the breakout quarterbacks in college football during the 2016 season. He put his great skill set on display as he led a potent offense. On the year, Allen completed 56 percent of his passes for 3,203 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He also ran for 523 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Allen was a redshirt sophomore that season, so he could have entered the 2017 NFL Draft, but he decided to return for his junior year. In his final collegiate season, Allen completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,812 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He notched five rushing touchdowns as well.
What are your thoughts on potentially having to turn around an 0-16 team?
"It's a tough situation to come in as a rookie and expect to be perfect right away. I know that I have a lot of flaws as a quarterback, but getting an opportunity to go to Cleveland and help change the culture there, and to be a part of a really good young team and be the guy there would be special. They're going to do what's best for their franchise."
Do you feel like your name should be included more when talking about the top QBs in the [2018 NFL Draft]?
"I really don't feel that way. I don't pay attention enough to feel like that. I actually train with Sam [Darnold] and live with Sam right now. We're super good friends, and I really don't care about all that stuff. I'm going to let my play speak for itself and go out here and compete and have a good time."
Talk about how your hometown helped to develop who you are as a person.
"I grew up in a super small town with a predominantly Hispanic culture there. Growing up on a farm and watching my dad come in and out before sunrise and after sunset - he's the most hard-working man that I know and my biggest role model, and I idolize him. I've always said that if I can become half the man he is, I'm going to be a great man. After learning from what he's done throughout his lifetime and working extremely hard for his family, I'm picking up what he's laid down for me."
How do you think you would fare in a big-city environment like New York?
"I've never been in that environment, so I wouldn't know. I've never been to New York but I understand the media is a little crazier there than in most places. I'm there to play football, so if I'm fortunate enough to be in one of those cities, I'm there to play football first. There's a lot of pressure that comes with being an NFL quarterback wherever you're at, and I'm ready to tackle any situation that's in front of me. I'm going to embrace any team that I go to. They're sticking their neck out on a limb, so whatever team takes me will be getting everything I have."
What do you say to teams when they ask you about your completion percentage?
"I've been working on that. Obviously, 56 percent is not anywhere close to what it needs to be. You can go look at the tape, but I've made a lot of strides from the previous season where I held onto the ball more. I didn't throw as many interceptions and threw the ball way more and was more careful with the football. There's always a constant battle trying to perfect your game, and that's kind of where I'm at right now, just making sure my stroke is consistent."
Did you consider not playing in your bowl game because of your shoulder injury?
"I wanted to play. I hate not playing football, and that coaching staff was the only ones to ever offer me [the opportunity], and I felt that I owed that to them being the senior captain that I was. I felt like I owed that to my teammates to go out and compete one more time."
What do you want teams to learn about you this week?
"I want them to know the type of person I am. I want to clean up my stroke and see that everything is consistent to help my accuracy numbers go up. I want teams to see that this guy is picking up the offense quickly and when he gets into our system he's going to do the same thing."
Why should an organization have confidence in you to be the face of their franchise?
"I'm the ultimate competitor. I'm not going to bow down to anybody, and my main goal is to win. I'm a team-first guy, and I'm going to do everything in my power to put my team in the best position possible to win football games."
How do you describe your leadership style?
"I lead by example. This past year, I had to use some more vocal leadership because we lost so many seniors. The previous year, all I had to do was go out and play football, so this past year really developed my leadership qualities. I'm thankful to have had that year. It was difficult sometimes not knowing how to treat a certain player, because everyone reacts differently to certain kinds of leadership, so I try to learn what the guys like and adapt for them."
Do you see a similar skill set between you and your mentor, Carson Wentz?
"You see the tall, mobile and strong-armed guy, so in that sense we're alike. We ran the same offense in college, so the transition from terminology and concept-wise is going to be fairly easy from what he told me. It's not going to be easy, but it's going to be fairly easy."
Talk about your experience of playing in the Wyoming weather.
"I embraced it. I actually like throwing in the cold, because, for some reason, it makes my hand grip better to the ball. We played in a lot of conditions - snow, rain, sideways rain - and it was the best thing for me. I was able to experience a different type of climate and atmosphere instead of just throwing in 75 degrees day in and out, so it's definitely going to help me in the long run."
The heavy favorite to be the first Senior Bowl prospect drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft is Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. As we reported in the Hot Press on Tuesday, some general managers think Allen's stock could skyrocket at the combine as he will show off his great skill set. The 6-foot-4, 237-pounder Allen also is said to be a good kid and could impress in the team interviews.
Allen was one of the breakout quarterbacks in college football during the 2016 season. He put his great skill set on display as he led a potent offense. On the year, Allen completed 56 percent of his passes for 3,203 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He also ran for 523 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Allen was a redshirt sophomore that season, so he could have entered the 2017 NFL Draft, but he decided to return for his junior year. In his final collegiate season, Allen completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,812 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He notched five rushing touchdowns as well.
What are your thoughts on potentially having to turn around an 0-16 team?
"It's a tough situation to come in as a rookie and expect to be perfect right away. I know that I have a lot of flaws as a quarterback, but getting an opportunity to go to Cleveland and help change the culture there, and to be a part of a really good young team and be the guy there would be special. They're going to do what's best for their franchise."
Do you feel like your name should be included more when talking about the top QBs in the [2018 NFL Draft]?
"I really don't feel that way. I don't pay attention enough to feel like that. I actually train with Sam [Darnold] and live with Sam right now. We're super good friends, and I really don't care about all that stuff. I'm going to let my play speak for itself and go out here and compete and have a good time."
Talk about how your hometown helped to develop who you are as a person.
"I grew up in a super small town with a predominantly Hispanic culture there. Growing up on a farm and watching my dad come in and out before sunrise and after sunset - he's the most hard-working man that I know and my biggest role model, and I idolize him. I've always said that if I can become half the man he is, I'm going to be a great man. After learning from what he's done throughout his lifetime and working extremely hard for his family, I'm picking up what he's laid down for me."
How do you think you would fare in a big-city environment like New York?
"I've never been in that environment, so I wouldn't know. I've never been to New York but I understand the media is a little crazier there than in most places. I'm there to play football, so if I'm fortunate enough to be in one of those cities, I'm there to play football first. There's a lot of pressure that comes with being an NFL quarterback wherever you're at, and I'm ready to tackle any situation that's in front of me. I'm going to embrace any team that I go to. They're sticking their neck out on a limb, so whatever team takes me will be getting everything I have."
What do you say to teams when they ask you about your completion percentage?
"I've been working on that. Obviously, 56 percent is not anywhere close to what it needs to be. You can go look at the tape, but I've made a lot of strides from the previous season where I held onto the ball more. I didn't throw as many interceptions and threw the ball way more and was more careful with the football. There's always a constant battle trying to perfect your game, and that's kind of where I'm at right now, just making sure my stroke is consistent."
Did you consider not playing in your bowl game because of your shoulder injury?
"I wanted to play. I hate not playing football, and that coaching staff was the only ones to ever offer me [the opportunity], and I felt that I owed that to them being the senior captain that I was. I felt like I owed that to my teammates to go out and compete one more time."
What do you want teams to learn about you this week?
"I want them to know the type of person I am. I want to clean up my stroke and see that everything is consistent to help my accuracy numbers go up. I want teams to see that this guy is picking up the offense quickly and when he gets into our system he's going to do the same thing."
Why should an organization have confidence in you to be the face of their franchise?
"I'm the ultimate competitor. I'm not going to bow down to anybody, and my main goal is to win. I'm a team-first guy, and I'm going to do everything in my power to put my team in the best position possible to win football games."
How do you describe your leadership style?
"I lead by example. This past year, I had to use some more vocal leadership because we lost so many seniors. The previous year, all I had to do was go out and play football, so this past year really developed my leadership qualities. I'm thankful to have had that year. It was difficult sometimes not knowing how to treat a certain player, because everyone reacts differently to certain kinds of leadership, so I try to learn what the guys like and adapt for them."
Do you see a similar skill set between you and your mentor, Carson Wentz?
"You see the tall, mobile and strong-armed guy, so in that sense we're alike. We ran the same offense in college, so the transition from terminology and concept-wise is going to be fairly easy from what he told me. It's not going to be easy, but it's going to be fairly easy."
Talk about your experience of playing in the Wyoming weather.
"I embraced it. I actually like throwing in the cold, because, for some reason, it makes my hand grip better to the ball. We played in a lot of conditions - snow, rain, sideways rain - and it was the best thing for me. I was able to experience a different type of climate and atmosphere instead of just throwing in 75 degrees day in and out, so it's definitely going to help me in the long run."
Will Henandez Senior Bowl Interview
One of the stars on day one of the Senior Bowl was Texas-El Paso guard Will Hernandez. He had an excellent practice to get his week started in an impressive fashion.
Walter Football's Senior Draft Analyst Charlie Campbell and Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli spoke with Hernandez on Tuesday.
What do you want to prove this week?
"I want to prove that I can play against the best competition."
What have teams talked with you about in terms of getting ready for the next level?
"Some of the things they talked to me about were having the mental part of the game ready and having the ability to learn quickly, not just the speed [of the game] and a new playbook."
Who were some of the best players you went against in your college career?
"In my rookie season, we played against Oklahoma, and I thought number 90 [Neville Gallimore] and 92 [Matthew Romar] were both great players in the interior. I was going up against them the most, and I would say they are great players that gave me some trouble and gave me a good fight."
What are your goals for the week and what are you focused on?
"I'm just focused on showing everybody that I'm able to perform and able to perform at a high level coming from a Conference USA school."
One of the stars on day one of the Senior Bowl was Texas-El Paso guard Will Hernandez. He had an excellent practice to get his week started in an impressive fashion.
Walter Football's Senior Draft Analyst Charlie Campbell and Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli spoke with Hernandez on Tuesday.
What do you want to prove this week?
"I want to prove that I can play against the best competition."
What have teams talked with you about in terms of getting ready for the next level?
"Some of the things they talked to me about were having the mental part of the game ready and having the ability to learn quickly, not just the speed [of the game] and a new playbook."
Who were some of the best players you went against in your college career?
"In my rookie season, we played against Oklahoma, and I thought number 90 [Neville Gallimore] and 92 [Matthew Romar] were both great players in the interior. I was going up against them the most, and I would say they are great players that gave me some trouble and gave me a good fight."
What are your goals for the week and what are you focused on?
"I'm just focused on showing everybody that I'm able to perform and able to perform at a high level coming from a Conference USA school."
Akrum Wadley Senior Bowl Interview
Over the past two years, Iowa's Akrum Wadley was one of the most consistent running backs in the Big Ten. Late in the 2016 season, team sources told WalterFootball.com that Wadley was really impressing them. The junior averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2016 for 1,081 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver with 36 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior, Wadley averaged 4.4 yards per carry in 2017 for 1,109 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also totaled 28 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns.
Walter Football's Senior Draft Analyst Charlie Campbell and Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli spoke with Wadley on Tuesday.
How has your Senior Bowl experience been so far?
"It's early in the process but all is well. This process is different, but I'm just going through it and taking it one day at a time and one interview at a time. Everything [with my interviews] went smooth. I've got nothing to hide and was very upfront. Anything that a team wanted to know, I'm open to talking about. I've been asked about everything from certain defenses to my personal life, and I'm upfront about everything."
Which teams have shown the most interest in you early on?
"The Rams showed some interest, the Buccaneers, the Patriots; I've met with the Giants, the Jets, the Seahawks and the Chargers, so it's been a lot of teams."
Was your senior year what you hoped it would be when you decided to come back for it?
"It was a perfect ending. We had a bumpy road, and the season wasn't as perfect, but winning a bowl game was what one of our goals was, and that's what we did. I'm really proud of the way we competed, and I'm really proud of my team for sticking together and keeping us together."
How is your center James Daniels as a teammate and a player to run behind?
"In some of my best runs, you can look at James Daniels. He was out there putting it in and doing a really good job. Our line was a really good line, and we all know James Daniels is a dog on the field; we know he's going to open the holes. Off the field, he's a really funny guy and a great person, and he tells jokes a lot. He's a really good person to be around."
What kind of teammate is cornerback Josh Jackson?
"I know he was a nightmare for the receivers, but I didn't go against him. I was more going against guys like [linebacker] Josey Jewell, but Josh Jackson is a dog and we all know he's a dog. He's the best corner in the [2018 NFL Draft]."
How was going up against Josey Jewell in practice?
"It's funny that you asked me that, because different people have come up to me and asked me who was the toughest guy I've faced all year and I say Josey because of the fact that he's the best linebacker. Going against him every day in practice can be tough sometimes. It made us both a lot better."
Have you talked with teams about contributing in a variety of ways like returner and receiver?
"I just want them to know that I can do it all and I've been doing it all since I was eight years old. I can catch the ball out of the backfield, run in between the tackles, run outside and do kick returns."
Over the past two years, Iowa's Akrum Wadley was one of the most consistent running backs in the Big Ten. Late in the 2016 season, team sources told WalterFootball.com that Wadley was really impressing them. The junior averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2016 for 1,081 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver with 36 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior, Wadley averaged 4.4 yards per carry in 2017 for 1,109 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also totaled 28 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns.
Walter Football's Senior Draft Analyst Charlie Campbell and Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli spoke with Wadley on Tuesday.
How has your Senior Bowl experience been so far?
"It's early in the process but all is well. This process is different, but I'm just going through it and taking it one day at a time and one interview at a time. Everything [with my interviews] went smooth. I've got nothing to hide and was very upfront. Anything that a team wanted to know, I'm open to talking about. I've been asked about everything from certain defenses to my personal life, and I'm upfront about everything."
Which teams have shown the most interest in you early on?
"The Rams showed some interest, the Buccaneers, the Patriots; I've met with the Giants, the Jets, the Seahawks and the Chargers, so it's been a lot of teams."
Was your senior year what you hoped it would be when you decided to come back for it?
"It was a perfect ending. We had a bumpy road, and the season wasn't as perfect, but winning a bowl game was what one of our goals was, and that's what we did. I'm really proud of the way we competed, and I'm really proud of my team for sticking together and keeping us together."
How is your center James Daniels as a teammate and a player to run behind?
"In some of my best runs, you can look at James Daniels. He was out there putting it in and doing a really good job. Our line was a really good line, and we all know James Daniels is a dog on the field; we know he's going to open the holes. Off the field, he's a really funny guy and a great person, and he tells jokes a lot. He's a really good person to be around."
What kind of teammate is cornerback Josh Jackson?
"I know he was a nightmare for the receivers, but I didn't go against him. I was more going against guys like [linebacker] Josey Jewell, but Josh Jackson is a dog and we all know he's a dog. He's the best corner in the [2018 NFL Draft]."
How was going up against Josey Jewell in practice?
"It's funny that you asked me that, because different people have come up to me and asked me who was the toughest guy I've faced all year and I say Josey because of the fact that he's the best linebacker. Going against him every day in practice can be tough sometimes. It made us both a lot better."
Have you talked with teams about contributing in a variety of ways like returner and receiver?
"I just want them to know that I can do it all and I've been doing it all since I was eight years old. I can catch the ball out of the backfield, run in between the tackles, run outside and do kick returns."
Jaylen Samuels Senior Bowl Interview
One of the most versatile players in college football during 2017 was N.C. State tight end/fullback Jaylen Samuels. Samuels notched 76 receptions for 597 yards and four touchdowns for the year. On the ground, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry for 403 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Samuels is a unique prospect for the next level. The senior was listed as a tight end, played some H-back, took carries out of the backfield, and also was split out wide. In speaking with scouts, they like Samuels, and some think that his best fit would come as a third-down running back. They believe he has really good hands, is a nice receiver, and could also run the rock in those situations. They think that Samuels could be tried as a fullback as well. Samuels is a good route-runner with subtle quickness and athleticism that makes him a mismatch weapon.
Walter Football's Senior Draft Analyst Charlie Campbell and Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli spoke with Samuels on Tuesday in Mobile.
Talk about your style of play and your versatility?
"I'll just say athletic; a guy that can do it all - catch, run block and just make plays whenever the ball comes to me."
What do you hope to accomplish at the Senior Bowl?
"I just want to get the heads turning with the coaches and GMs, and get my draft stock to rise hopefully after this week. I just want to go out there and compete, and have fun at the same time. There's a lot of great guys here who are going somewhere too. I'm just ready to have fun and excited for this opportunity."
Do you think playing tight end and fullback in college helped prepare you to have a versatile role?
"It definitely helped me preparing for this role and being able to know what [assignments] the players around me have and knowing what the running back is doing at the same time. I was learning a lot of different positions in one meeting, so that's how that was [at N.C. State]."
How do you feel your blocking ability progressed in college?
"My blocking is improving, but it still needs a lot more improvement to come. That's one of my weaknesses and that's the main thing I'm trying to work on as I prepare for this next level. Just working on pass blocking is probably going to be the main thing. If I'm in the game at running back and need to pick up a blitz, that's what I need to work on and be aware of."
Do you feel natural running in between the tackles?
"I do. I got a lot of experience at that in the backfield this year, more than I did the past couple of years, so I got more comfortable running in between the tackles and trying to make guys miss in the hole."
How was it like to go up against your own front seven in practice?
"It was definitely competitive every day; that was a great group of guys. I think they made me better as a player and a person. It was fun."
What growth have you seen from your backfield partner Nyheim Hines?
"He grew as a player as time went by. He came in as a freshman and kind of did the same thing that I did. He kind of shared the same abilities that I have, and he can do a lot. He can play receiver, and then he moved to a true running back and had a heck of a year rushing for over 1,000 yards. He's a great football player."
Which teams have shown the most interest in you in Mobile thus far?
"The Lions, Saints, Bills, Steelers and Panthers showed a lot of interest in me, so we'll see how this process goes. They talked to me about being a true running back really and then turning myself into a third-down back and being able to split out and catch passes as well."
One of the most versatile players in college football during 2017 was N.C. State tight end/fullback Jaylen Samuels. Samuels notched 76 receptions for 597 yards and four touchdowns for the year. On the ground, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry for 403 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Samuels is a unique prospect for the next level. The senior was listed as a tight end, played some H-back, took carries out of the backfield, and also was split out wide. In speaking with scouts, they like Samuels, and some think that his best fit would come as a third-down running back. They believe he has really good hands, is a nice receiver, and could also run the rock in those situations. They think that Samuels could be tried as a fullback as well. Samuels is a good route-runner with subtle quickness and athleticism that makes him a mismatch weapon.
Walter Football's Senior Draft Analyst Charlie Campbell and Senior Bowl Reporter Andrew Scavelli spoke with Samuels on Tuesday in Mobile.
Talk about your style of play and your versatility?
"I'll just say athletic; a guy that can do it all - catch, run block and just make plays whenever the ball comes to me."
What do you hope to accomplish at the Senior Bowl?
"I just want to get the heads turning with the coaches and GMs, and get my draft stock to rise hopefully after this week. I just want to go out there and compete, and have fun at the same time. There's a lot of great guys here who are going somewhere too. I'm just ready to have fun and excited for this opportunity."
Do you think playing tight end and fullback in college helped prepare you to have a versatile role?
"It definitely helped me preparing for this role and being able to know what [assignments] the players around me have and knowing what the running back is doing at the same time. I was learning a lot of different positions in one meeting, so that's how that was [at N.C. State]."
How do you feel your blocking ability progressed in college?
"My blocking is improving, but it still needs a lot more improvement to come. That's one of my weaknesses and that's the main thing I'm trying to work on as I prepare for this next level. Just working on pass blocking is probably going to be the main thing. If I'm in the game at running back and need to pick up a blitz, that's what I need to work on and be aware of."
Do you feel natural running in between the tackles?
"I do. I got a lot of experience at that in the backfield this year, more than I did the past couple of years, so I got more comfortable running in between the tackles and trying to make guys miss in the hole."
How was it like to go up against your own front seven in practice?
"It was definitely competitive every day; that was a great group of guys. I think they made me better as a player and a person. It was fun."
What growth have you seen from your backfield partner Nyheim Hines?
"He grew as a player as time went by. He came in as a freshman and kind of did the same thing that I did. He kind of shared the same abilities that I have, and he can do a lot. He can play receiver, and then he moved to a true running back and had a heck of a year rushing for over 1,000 yards. He's a great football player."
Which teams have shown the most interest in you in Mobile thus far?
"The Lions, Saints, Bills, Steelers and Panthers showed a lot of interest in me, so we'll see how this process goes. They talked to me about being a true running back really and then turning myself into a third-down back and being able to split out and catch passes as well."
Sources with a few teams (including the Jets) have mentioned that the Senior Bowl quarterbacks prospects have interviewed well overall with impressive sessions in front of the top evaluator at each team. The quarterbacks who were specifically named as interviewing well were Josh Allen, Mason Rudolph, Luke Falk and Tanner Lee. A few team sources said that Rudolph is very smart. Allen is said to be a great kid as well. Baker Mayfield wasn't included in that feedback because of his late arrival to Senior Bowl. Teams are eager to see how the underclassmen quarterbacks interview at the combine in comparison to the strong group at the Senior Bowl.
Senior Bowl Rumor Mill: Thursday 1/25
With all the general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl, there is a lot of chatter going around. Here are some of the highlights from around the league.
The 2017 NFL Draft and the 2018 NFL Draft have been down years at the offensive tackle position. While the lack of edge-blocking talent has been noticeable, this could be a good year for talent on the interior of the offensive line. Sources at multiple teams believe there could be four interior offensive linemen who get selected in the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft. The first one to come off the board will be Notre Dame's Quenton Nelson. He is among the elite players in the 2018 NFL Draft, and one area scout who covered Nelson described him like this, "He's Zach Martin on steroids." Nelson shouldn't get out of the top 10.
Ohio State guard/center Billy Price has a good buzz about him as well. Team sources say he has gotten higher grades than former first-rounders Laken Tomlinson and Josh Garnett. Price looks like a likely pick in the back half of Round 1 during the 2018 NFL Draft.
UTEP guard Will Hernandez has a lot of positive buzz around him. In speaking to an AFC general manager, they loved what they saw out of Hernandez during the season and was eager to see how he handled the jump in competition in Mobile. Hernandez has played well in practice, showing serious power at the point of attack. Team sources also say that Hernandez has impressed them in the interviews. He could get first-round consideration in the 2018 NFL Draft, but could be more likely to go early in Round 2.
Iowa center James Daniels is in the same boat as Hernandez with the late first-round being possible, and the early second-round being perhaps more likely. Sources say that Daniels doesn't have a great looking body, but they love a lot of his tape. They were raving how defenders are completely beaten once Daniels gets his hands on them.
Another factor aiding these blockers is how the free agent market has exploded with huge contracts being given to guards. Some teams won't be able to meet the veterans' prices and will feel it is better value to get a younger, cheaper, yet very talented option with one these players. All of these blockers should hear their names called in the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft, and all three could end up going as top-50 picks.
With all the general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl, there is a lot of chatter going around. Here are some of the highlights from around the league.
The 2017 NFL Draft and the 2018 NFL Draft have been down years at the offensive tackle position. While the lack of edge-blocking talent has been noticeable, this could be a good year for talent on the interior of the offensive line. Sources at multiple teams believe there could be four interior offensive linemen who get selected in the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft. The first one to come off the board will be Notre Dame's Quenton Nelson. He is among the elite players in the 2018 NFL Draft, and one area scout who covered Nelson described him like this, "He's Zach Martin on steroids." Nelson shouldn't get out of the top 10.
Ohio State guard/center Billy Price has a good buzz about him as well. Team sources say he has gotten higher grades than former first-rounders Laken Tomlinson and Josh Garnett. Price looks like a likely pick in the back half of Round 1 during the 2018 NFL Draft.
UTEP guard Will Hernandez has a lot of positive buzz around him. In speaking to an AFC general manager, they loved what they saw out of Hernandez during the season and was eager to see how he handled the jump in competition in Mobile. Hernandez has played well in practice, showing serious power at the point of attack. Team sources also say that Hernandez has impressed them in the interviews. He could get first-round consideration in the 2018 NFL Draft, but could be more likely to go early in Round 2.
Iowa center James Daniels is in the same boat as Hernandez with the late first-round being possible, and the early second-round being perhaps more likely. Sources say that Daniels doesn't have a great looking body, but they love a lot of his tape. They were raving how defenders are completely beaten once Daniels gets his hands on them.
Another factor aiding these blockers is how the free agent market has exploded with huge contracts being given to guards. Some teams won't be able to meet the veterans' prices and will feel it is better value to get a younger, cheaper, yet very talented option with one these players. All of these blockers should hear their names called in the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft, and all three could end up going as top-50 picks.
- Hernandez isn't the only offensive lineman who has impressed evaluators in the team meetings. Other players who have drawn rave reviews from their interviews have been Pittsburgh tackle Brian O'Neill and Nevada center Austin Corbett.
- In speaking with sources at a wide variety of teams, they say there hasn't been a single player whp has bombed in the interviews. Typically, there is a player, or two, who hurts himself in the meeting sessions, but that hasn't been the case this year.
- During the fall, WalterFootball.com was the first draft site to highlight North Carolina A&T's Brandon Parker as having created a buzz in the scouting community. Parker has continued the positive momentum at the Senior Bowl. In speaking with a general manager, they have been impressed by Parker and has his stock rising. That team entered this week with a fourth-round grade on Parker but they think he could rise into Day 2. Other teams also had Parker projected to the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft with third-round potential. With his height and the frame to add weight, teams feel that Parker could develop into being starter at right tackle.
- Some team sources like Oregon offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby as well. However, they have concerns about Crosby's height at 6-foot-4. Teams like their offensive tackles to be an inch or two taller, but Crosby has impressed evaluator with his quick feet. In a draft weak at the offensive tackle, Crosby could end up being a second-day pick.
Senior Bowl Rumor Mill: Friday 1/26
With all the general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl there was a lot of chatter going around. Here are some of the highlights from the rumor mill earlier this week.
The Falcons have used their previous three first-round picks on upgrading their defense, and by the sounds of it, Atlanta could make it four in a row. According to Falcons sources, defensive tackle is in the running for their first-round pick. The Falcons could use some youth in the middle of their defensive line, and there are some good first-round tackle prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Alabama nose tackle Da'Ron Payne and Washington nose tackle Vita Vea have caught their eye. The Falcons like both of them a lot. It seemed like they had Vea higher than Payne, but felt both of them were worthy of top-20 picks. If one of them slips to Atlanta, that could be a no-brainer, but the Falcons think both will be long gone as they have the 26th pick. Some Atlanta sources think Vea could go in the top 10.
Assuming those two are off the board, a player who Atlanta likes is Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan. While Bryan hasn't gotten a lot of media buzz, Falcon staffers say that Bryan's tape is very impressive, and they are intrigued with him. The athletic Bryan had a breakout year, and he wasn't even on the Gators' preseason watch lists given out to team scouts heading into Gainesville. Bryan showed serious speed, strength and athleticism to cause havoc behind the line of scrimmage. He could be a three-technique defensive tackle or a five-technique defensive end. Atlanta also puts a lot into taking players with good character, and Bryan has that reputation. He had a late start in football and is somewhat raw, but has a strong work ethic he inherited from his Navy Seal father.
Atlanta has been very happy with the development and the character of Vic Beasley, Keanu Neal and Takk McKinley. Bryan could fit in that group with his character to go with impressive physical skills.
According to Los Angeles Chargers sources, some leftover needs from the 2017 NFL Draft could figure prominently in the Chargers' 2018 NFL Draft plans. Sources said that last year, LSU safety Jamal Adams was finalist for Los Angeles' first-round pick. The choice was made for Los Angeles as the Jets snatched up Adams one pick ahead of the Chargers. Los Angeles was thrilled to land Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams, and it feels that its offense is in great shape heading into the 2018 season.
With the offense being strong, sources with Los Angeles say that their 2018 NFL Draft class is going to be focused on the defense. The top needs the Chargers have in mind to address are safety and defensive tackle. If the right value isn't there at those positions, Los Angeles also could consider linebacker and cornerback. The only defensive position that doesn't seem to be in contention in the first round is edge rusher, as the Chargers are set with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. After their vigorous comeback after a rough start to the year, Los Angeles is optimistic about its team in 2018 and it feels adding more to their defense is their priority.
With all the general managers, coaches and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl there was a lot of chatter going around. Here are some of the highlights from the rumor mill earlier this week.
The Falcons have used their previous three first-round picks on upgrading their defense, and by the sounds of it, Atlanta could make it four in a row. According to Falcons sources, defensive tackle is in the running for their first-round pick. The Falcons could use some youth in the middle of their defensive line, and there are some good first-round tackle prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Alabama nose tackle Da'Ron Payne and Washington nose tackle Vita Vea have caught their eye. The Falcons like both of them a lot. It seemed like they had Vea higher than Payne, but felt both of them were worthy of top-20 picks. If one of them slips to Atlanta, that could be a no-brainer, but the Falcons think both will be long gone as they have the 26th pick. Some Atlanta sources think Vea could go in the top 10.
Assuming those two are off the board, a player who Atlanta likes is Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan. While Bryan hasn't gotten a lot of media buzz, Falcon staffers say that Bryan's tape is very impressive, and they are intrigued with him. The athletic Bryan had a breakout year, and he wasn't even on the Gators' preseason watch lists given out to team scouts heading into Gainesville. Bryan showed serious speed, strength and athleticism to cause havoc behind the line of scrimmage. He could be a three-technique defensive tackle or a five-technique defensive end. Atlanta also puts a lot into taking players with good character, and Bryan has that reputation. He had a late start in football and is somewhat raw, but has a strong work ethic he inherited from his Navy Seal father.
Atlanta has been very happy with the development and the character of Vic Beasley, Keanu Neal and Takk McKinley. Bryan could fit in that group with his character to go with impressive physical skills.
According to Los Angeles Chargers sources, some leftover needs from the 2017 NFL Draft could figure prominently in the Chargers' 2018 NFL Draft plans. Sources said that last year, LSU safety Jamal Adams was finalist for Los Angeles' first-round pick. The choice was made for Los Angeles as the Jets snatched up Adams one pick ahead of the Chargers. Los Angeles was thrilled to land Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams, and it feels that its offense is in great shape heading into the 2018 season.
With the offense being strong, sources with Los Angeles say that their 2018 NFL Draft class is going to be focused on the defense. The top needs the Chargers have in mind to address are safety and defensive tackle. If the right value isn't there at those positions, Los Angeles also could consider linebacker and cornerback. The only defensive position that doesn't seem to be in contention in the first round is edge rusher, as the Chargers are set with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. After their vigorous comeback after a rough start to the year, Los Angeles is optimistic about its team in 2018 and it feels adding more to their defense is their priority.
- It is still very early in the process for the 2018 NFL Draft, but at the Senior Bowl, there was a lot of buzz that teams could be moving up high in the first round to get a quarterback prospect. The success of the trades from the Texans and the Chiefs to land talented young quarterbacks has other teams thinking that similar moves will be made this year.
One general manager told me that he thought three quarterbacks would go in the top 10, and there could be some teams moving up for them. After that trio go off the board, there will be some quarterback-needy teams picking high in the second round that didn't land a signal-caller, and they will have to move up in front of some of the playoff teams if they want to get a quarterback. Those franchises picking high in the second round can't count on playoff teams with aging quarterbacks passing on a young signal-caller. Teams like Pittsburgh, New Orleans and the two selections with Buffalo could be options for quarterbacks. Thus, the 2018 NFL Draft has the makings to be a very exciting first round with a number of franchises moving around and making some bold moves to acquire young quarterbacks. - Central Florida tight end Jordan Aikens is falling into the love/hate category. Some scouts really like his receiving ability and were impressed with the skills he put on display in Wednesday's practice. Those teams had a third-round grade on Aikens. Other scouts don't like Aikens because they feel that his blocking is terrible. Some teams have a mid-to-late third-day grades on Aikens. Even though some teams don't like Aikens, he probably will be a mid-rounder as there are a plenty of teams that are in the market for a receiving tight end.
- In the realm of stating the obvious, sources around the league have been in agreement that Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is the best player in the 2018 NFL Draft. In talking with general managers, directors of college scouting, national scouts and area scouts, not a single one has mentioned a player they thought was better than Barkley. Perhaps there is an outlier out there, but I haven't found one yet. What happens with the quarterbacks will dictate how high Barkley goes, but there is no debate on who the best player in the draft is. Barkley has that locked up, and it shouldn't change before draft day.
- A few days ago in the Hot Press, we discussed how one general manager thought Georgia running back Sony Michel could go late in the first round. Sources from a couple of other teams also had a very high view of Michel. Those teams have Michel as the second-rated running back in the draft behind only Barkley. Michel has seen his draft stock skyrocket over his senior year. Being the second running back selected and going on Thursday night of the draft seems entirely possible.
Senior Bowl: North Team Report
The North team took the field of Ladd-Peebles Stadium for their second practice of the Senior Bowl. The Denver Broncos coaching staff ran the practice and will coach them all week. The Broncos staff had the players practicing in full pads. Here is a run down of the noteworthy players.
The North team took the field of Ladd-Peebles Stadium for their second practice of the Senior Bowl. The Denver Broncos coaching staff ran the practice and will coach them all week. The Broncos staff had the players practicing in full pads. Here is a run down of the noteworthy players.
- Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen was the star of Thursday's North practice, as he had his best outing of the week. Allen showed progress throughout the week and capped it off with his best session. On the first day of the Senior Bowl, Allen was firing the ball with his big arm and sending frozen ropes around the field. By Thursday, Allen was taking a little something off his throws and putting more touch on the ball. That led to him throwing a more catchable ball that resulted in his receivers making more plays for him.
Allen was excellent in the red zone scrimmage. He made a number of precise throws to produce touchdowns. On one occasion, Allen lofted in a pass to Penn wide receiver Justin Watson, who made a phenomenal one-handed catch. Allen also hit Indiana tight end Ian Thomas between defenders running vertically through the end zone and then found Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki on a crossing route in the back of the end zone. Gesicki got open for Allen again with a juke move on a slant to run by West Virginia's Kyzir White with Allen throwing a strike to Gesicki. Allen also threw a well-placed pass by defenders to Notre Dame tight end Durham Smythe.
NFL evaluator don't really care about the performance in the Senior Bowl game, as 90 percent of the league leaves after the final practice on Thursday. Thus in the portion of the week that mattered the most Allen helped himself. He was the best quarterback in Mobile, showing a superb skill set with a big frame, arm strength and athleticism. This Senior Bowl performance will help Allen to be a top-10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
- Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield was the other quarterback in Mobile who could be a first-round pick, and Mayfield had a solid session on Thursday. Similar to Allen, Mayfield was better on Thursday compared to how he started out the week. Mayfield threw some well-placed passes, connecting on a slant with Penn State wide receiver DaeSean Hailton on slant for a good gain as Mayfield led Hamilton perfectly. Mayfield lofted in pass over a defender to Miami wideout Braxton Berrios, who adjusted to make an impressive grab over the defender. That catch had Mayfield clapping and praising his temporary teammate.
Mayfield did a better job of pushing the ball vertically on Thursday compared with the previous practices where he checked the ball down too much and was hesitant to throw into tight windows. In the seven-on-seven and team scrimmage portion, Mayfield looks better than in the individual portions. Overall, Mayfield's Senior Bowl was a positive one and shouldn't hurt his draft stock.
- Hamilton was probably the most polished receiver in Mobile. He ran crisp routes without wasted steps all week. He showed nice hands and used his quickness to generate separation. Hamilton definitely helped improve his draft standing with his steady performance in each practice.
- Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard has had a roller-coaster week. The first session on Tuesday was awful, as Lazard had a lot of drops and one team source said after Day 1 that one of the biggest takeaways was that Lazard couldn't catch the ball. He bounced back on Day 2 with some nice receptions to help rebound from his rough opening. Day 3 turned out to be a mixture of the previous two. Early in the scrimmage portion, Lazard fumbled the ball away after a hard hit with a safety bearing down on him. Josh Allen made a nice throw for the completion on the post route, but Lazard squandered the chunk gain.
Lazard had an excellent session in the red zone scrimmage. He made a leaping touchdown catch over a defensive back in the back of the end zone. Lazard then had another touchdown in the corner of the end zone using his size. The big wideout illustrated that he is a true red zone threat with mismatch size that is tough to defend. After a rough first day, Lazard showed some resiliency to bounce back on Wednesday and Thursday.
- N.C. State running back Jaylen Samuels was one of the impressive receivers on Thursday. The converted tight end and fullback was a dynamic receiving threat in college, and he put that on display on Thursday. Samuels ran some excellent routes to get separation from defenders. He is a smooth, quick and slippery target that has excellent feel for how to get open for his quarterback. This session illustrated Samuels as a receiving back for the pros. Samuels is a mid-round sleeper who could be a really nice value pick.
- Iowa running back Akrum Wadley also flashed on Thursday. In the team scrimmage, Wadley showed his serious burst exploding to the second level on an interior run where he found a lane. He followed that up with a big gain on a screen pass. Wadley was patient to follow his blockers and set them up to hit their targets before hitting the afterburner to dart downfield. Wadley didn't get a lot of headlines, but he had solid week in Mobile.
- Texas-El Paso guard Will Hernandez had a mixed day on Thursday. In the one-on-ones, Hernandez lost a rep to N.C. State's Justin Jones, as Hernandez lunged after a speed rush from Jones. He also lost a rep to Rutgers defender Kemoko Turay as a spin move allowed Turay to get to the quarterback marker quickly. Hernandez had some wins as well, but overall he showed that while he looks like he has the potential to be a good NFL guard, he will need some development coming from a much smaller level of competition.
- Team sources told WalterFootball.com prior to the practice that Pitt offensive tackle Brian O'Neill and Oregon offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby helped themselves this week. They both had some nice wins in the one-on-ones to finish off their week. O'Neill has some athleticism and needs to continue to get stronger for the pro game. The height and lacking length of the 6-foot-4 Crosby worries some evaluators, but they feel his quick feet helped him to make up for it. They say Crosby doesn't have a good-looking body, but if he can develop his body he has potential for the NFL.
Senior Bowl: South Team Report
The South team took the field of Ladd-Peebles Stadium for their second practice of the Senior Bowl. The Houston Texans coaching staff ran the practice and will coach them all week. The Texans staff had the players practicing in full pads. Here is a run down of the noteworthy players.
The South team took the field of Ladd-Peebles Stadium for their second practice of the Senior Bowl. The Houston Texans coaching staff ran the practice and will coach them all week. The Texans staff had the players practicing in full pads. Here is a run down of the noteworthy players.
- The South practice ended a half hour early and they spent a lot of time doing special teams, so the final Senior Bowl practice was not as noteworthy as some of the other sessions.
- The South defensive line has gotten the better of their offensive counterparts for a lot of Senior Bowl week, and the one steady exception to that has been Georgia tackle/guard Isaiah Wynn. Wynn participated in the one-on-ones for a time including a physical battle with Alabama's DaShawn Hand. Unfortunately for the South, Wynn left the Thursday practice early with what looked like a shoulder injury. It would be surprising if Wynn played in the Senior Bowl game on Saturday.
- Clemson guard Taylor Hearn has struggled this week, and that continued on Thursday. Virginia defensive tackle Andrew Brown used speed to fire by Hearn for a win in the one-on-ones. Even though Hearn has good size, he doesn't knock defenders off the ball. Hearn needs to redistribute body weight to turn some fat into muscle to make him more capable of blocking NFL defensive linemen. Hearn should have returned to Clemson, and he could use a redshirt year in the NFL.
- UCF tight end Jordan Aikens was one of the more impressive players for the South on Wednesday. He ran good routes and made some difficult catches. On Thursday, Aikens continued to show he is a receiving threat, but he had some dropped passes on what should have been nice gains. Aikens is not a good blocker, so he is going to have to be a sure-handed receiving threat in order to carve out a role in the NFL.
- LSU wide receiver D.J. Chark had a nice practice on Thursday. He ran some good routes to get separation from cornerbacks. San Diego State cornerback Kameron Kelly struggled to run with Chark as the Tiger wideout was able to get space from Kelly coming out of his breaks. Alabama cornerback Levi Wallace also was victimized by Chark as the quickness of Chark allowed him to get open on a dig route for a reception from Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White. Chark could be a mid-rounder who also has added value of being a special-teams contributor if he can returning duties.
- Texas-San Antonio defensive end Marcus Davenport has had a mixed week showing his good physical talent while also illustrating that he is a work in progress for the NFL. Davenport had a sack in the team scrimmage, using speed to knife into the inside. However, he didn't pull up and fell into the legs of Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta to knock down the signal-caller for a sack along with some other defenders. It was a mistake to hit the quarterback in practice and that resulted in some corrections from the Texans coaching staff. Davenport has to improve his technique and work on more pass-rushing moves.
Mayfield a strong candidate for the Browns at #1 Overall
I'm not surprised, he's the #1 QB in the draft on my board.
I'm not surprised, he's the #1 QB in the draft on my board.
Marcus Davenport just beat the OT (Brian O'Neill, Pitt) like a drum and sacked Mayfield on the North's first defensive series.
It was on 3rd down too, the best time .... force the punt.
It was on 3rd down too, the best time .... force the punt.
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Davenport forced a quick throw by Allen and an incompletion on 3rd down, exploded on an inside move.
This kid is what they said he is ... lethal pass rusher.
This kid is what they said he is ... lethal pass rusher.
I swear if we didn't need a FQB in the worst possible way, I'd be all over Davenport at #6, I would run that card to the podium.
If the top four QB's are all off the board at 6, thats the guy I'm drafting. This kid could be special, an ELITE edge rusher.
If the top four QB's are all off the board at 6, thats the guy I'm drafting. This kid could be special, an ELITE edge rusher.