Senior Bowl Top 20
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 12:25 pm
http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2016/insider/story/_/id/14672002/top-20-nfl-draft-prospects-senior-bowl
With the Senior Bowl practices in the books, let's run through our top 20 players from Mobile.
1. Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State: Wentz checked off every box. He has the frame (6-foot-5¼, 233 pounds). He has the arm. He can make all the throws -- even in cold, windy weather. And he displayed a good demeanor with his coaches and teammates. Wentz played his way into the conversation as the first QB off the board.
2. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: Rankins showed good pass-rush skills in one-on-one drills, while also penetrating the backfield against the run. He stood out among a great group of defensive linemen. If he is at 23 I would take him. It all starts up front for our defense)
3. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama: We already knew he could stuff the run, but this week has been a good opportunity for Ragland to show off his pass-rushing ability. An underrated athlete at 259 pounds, Ragland routinely beat RBs and O-linemen off the edge. (We need a MLB and could he be a guy we would draft after investing in 2 LBs? Could you see a 3-3 Nickel defense?)
4. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama: Reed got double- and triple-teamed a bunch this week in team drills, but as was his M.O. at Alabama, he excelled at occupying blockers and got free to penetrate the backfield on multiple occasions.
5. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech: He moves like he's 290 pounds, but he weighed in at 325. His upper-body power was evident during bag drills. Butler needs to be more consistent, but there aren't many big guys with his skill set.
6. Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky: Spence was a guy everyone had circled to watch this week, after transferring from Ohio State to Eastern Kentucky in the wake of two drug-related suspensions. He put to rest any concerns about his on-field ability, proving he has an elite athletic skill set off the edge.
7. Austin Johnson, NT, Penn State: A massive nose tackle prospect (6-foot-4 3/8 , 323 pounds), Johnson excels against the run. He showed the ability to anchor against double teams this week. He was a productive pass rusher this season (6.5 sacks), but that won't be his strength in the NFL.
8. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford: He's a road-grader in the run game and very effective in pass protection. He plays with a high football IQ. He didn't always look like it this week, but he's still our top-ranked guard prospect. (Would love in him in the second round)
9. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State: Washington weighed in a 6-foot-3 5/8 , 297 pounds, and he showed good first-step quickness off the ball for his size. He has good range against the run, and is disruptive at the point of attack.
10. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame: Day showed off his trademark motor in Mobile, along with the ability to make plays against the run. He's not the fastest guy off the ball, but he's a load for offensive linemen to handle on the inside.
11. Braxton Miller, WR/RS, Ohio State: Miller spent the better part of the week turning defensive backs around with incredible route-running, while also dazzling in individual agility drills. He was the best pure athlete on the field all week -- and he looked natural catching the ball, considering he's just a year removed from playing quarterback.
12. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State: Really impressed with his consistency this week. He plays with a wide base and good balance, and is strong is both the run and pass games.
13. Antonio Morrison, ILB, Florida: He played well all week, but really stood out with some big plays on Thursday, showing off his athleticism and instincts. (2nd or 3rd round option?)
14. Jihad Ward, DL, Illinois: Ward isn't the best athlete, but he played with great effort. While his tape says he's a better run-defender than edge rusher, he flashed a little in one-on-one pass-rushing drills.
15. Vadal Alexander, G, LSU: He played much better at guard than tackle. He has some athletic limitations but is overpowering at the point of attack. Alexander can create a new line of scrimmage as a run blocker, and once he latches on in pass protection, it's over. (Another guard option)
16. Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State: At 6-foot-6¾, 273 pounds, Nassib has a great frame. And while he lacks elite speed, he's quick and has very effective hands. He's a natural finisher as a pass rusher. His best fit in the NFL is probably at left DE
17. Jalen Mills, DB, LSU: Mills showed off his versatility in Mobile, routinely defending receivers both in the slot and outside the numbers. With natural footwork and good instincts, he ran his receiver's route on more than one occasion. Mills has an intriguing skill set, but comes with some off-field baggage.
18. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Killebrew is similar to the Cardinals' Deone Buchannon. He has the size (6-foot-1¾, 219 pounds) and skill set to be a hard-hitting in-box safety at the next level -- and he also could play LB in sub packages. (We need another safety)
19. Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State: He has developed into a solid blocker and is a more dangerous pass-catching weapon than some might have thought entering this week. Vannett was under-utilized at Ohio State (19 catches all season; nine of which came in the final five games).
20. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma: Shepard is never going to be a burner, but what he proved this week is that he's one of the best route runners in this class. With good hand and quick feet, he has the look of a natural slot receiver at the next level.
With the Senior Bowl practices in the books, let's run through our top 20 players from Mobile.
1. Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State: Wentz checked off every box. He has the frame (6-foot-5¼, 233 pounds). He has the arm. He can make all the throws -- even in cold, windy weather. And he displayed a good demeanor with his coaches and teammates. Wentz played his way into the conversation as the first QB off the board.
2. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: Rankins showed good pass-rush skills in one-on-one drills, while also penetrating the backfield against the run. He stood out among a great group of defensive linemen. If he is at 23 I would take him. It all starts up front for our defense)
3. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama: We already knew he could stuff the run, but this week has been a good opportunity for Ragland to show off his pass-rushing ability. An underrated athlete at 259 pounds, Ragland routinely beat RBs and O-linemen off the edge. (We need a MLB and could he be a guy we would draft after investing in 2 LBs? Could you see a 3-3 Nickel defense?)
4. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama: Reed got double- and triple-teamed a bunch this week in team drills, but as was his M.O. at Alabama, he excelled at occupying blockers and got free to penetrate the backfield on multiple occasions.
5. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech: He moves like he's 290 pounds, but he weighed in at 325. His upper-body power was evident during bag drills. Butler needs to be more consistent, but there aren't many big guys with his skill set.
6. Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky: Spence was a guy everyone had circled to watch this week, after transferring from Ohio State to Eastern Kentucky in the wake of two drug-related suspensions. He put to rest any concerns about his on-field ability, proving he has an elite athletic skill set off the edge.
7. Austin Johnson, NT, Penn State: A massive nose tackle prospect (6-foot-4 3/8 , 323 pounds), Johnson excels against the run. He showed the ability to anchor against double teams this week. He was a productive pass rusher this season (6.5 sacks), but that won't be his strength in the NFL.
8. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford: He's a road-grader in the run game and very effective in pass protection. He plays with a high football IQ. He didn't always look like it this week, but he's still our top-ranked guard prospect. (Would love in him in the second round)
9. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State: Washington weighed in a 6-foot-3 5/8 , 297 pounds, and he showed good first-step quickness off the ball for his size. He has good range against the run, and is disruptive at the point of attack.
10. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame: Day showed off his trademark motor in Mobile, along with the ability to make plays against the run. He's not the fastest guy off the ball, but he's a load for offensive linemen to handle on the inside.
11. Braxton Miller, WR/RS, Ohio State: Miller spent the better part of the week turning defensive backs around with incredible route-running, while also dazzling in individual agility drills. He was the best pure athlete on the field all week -- and he looked natural catching the ball, considering he's just a year removed from playing quarterback.
12. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State: Really impressed with his consistency this week. He plays with a wide base and good balance, and is strong is both the run and pass games.
13. Antonio Morrison, ILB, Florida: He played well all week, but really stood out with some big plays on Thursday, showing off his athleticism and instincts. (2nd or 3rd round option?)
14. Jihad Ward, DL, Illinois: Ward isn't the best athlete, but he played with great effort. While his tape says he's a better run-defender than edge rusher, he flashed a little in one-on-one pass-rushing drills.
15. Vadal Alexander, G, LSU: He played much better at guard than tackle. He has some athletic limitations but is overpowering at the point of attack. Alexander can create a new line of scrimmage as a run blocker, and once he latches on in pass protection, it's over. (Another guard option)
16. Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State: At 6-foot-6¾, 273 pounds, Nassib has a great frame. And while he lacks elite speed, he's quick and has very effective hands. He's a natural finisher as a pass rusher. His best fit in the NFL is probably at left DE
17. Jalen Mills, DB, LSU: Mills showed off his versatility in Mobile, routinely defending receivers both in the slot and outside the numbers. With natural footwork and good instincts, he ran his receiver's route on more than one occasion. Mills has an intriguing skill set, but comes with some off-field baggage.
18. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Killebrew is similar to the Cardinals' Deone Buchannon. He has the size (6-foot-1¾, 219 pounds) and skill set to be a hard-hitting in-box safety at the next level -- and he also could play LB in sub packages. (We need another safety)
19. Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State: He has developed into a solid blocker and is a more dangerous pass-catching weapon than some might have thought entering this week. Vannett was under-utilized at Ohio State (19 catches all season; nine of which came in the final five games).
20. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma: Shepard is never going to be a burner, but what he proved this week is that he's one of the best route runners in this class. With good hand and quick feet, he has the look of a natural slot receiver at the next level.