The 2015 Senior Bowl North roster is the more impressive of the two teams, featuring the game’s best quarterback, top two running backs, most of the game’s best vertical receivers, the most intriguing offensive tackle and the game’s top interior lineman.
Garrett Grayson, Ameer Abdullah and TJ Clemmings lead a unit that will have NFL teams very intrigued all week.
Quarterbacks
1. Garrett Grayson, Colorado State
After a highly successful senior season that lead to his head coach getting the Florida head coaching job, Grayson’s production in 2014 and his high-level ball placement and adequate arm strength gives scouts reason to consider him on draft day. While his limited upside may restrict how high he goes on draft day, his mental and physical toughness along with polish most areas could make him a fringe NFL starter option in the future.
2. Sean Mannion, Oregon State
The tall, strong armed passer thrived in 2014 with Brandin Cooks as his lead weapon, but scouts’ concerns over his placement downfield, pocket fluidity and efficiency as a passer lead him to stay in school. He struggled in 2015, didn’t take the next step as a complete pocket quarterback, and he’ll need to utilize the Senior Bowl to prove he’s still a worthwhile draft pick as a pocket passer-only.
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
Bryce Petty entered the season as one of the higher rated senior passer with his vertical passing skills and release quickness, but still appears to be a developmental prospect. His progressions were limited in Art Briles’ wide open, spread attack and he repeatedly had issues adjusting to pressure fronts. Petty needs time to acclimate to an NFL offense and improve his reset footwork when pressured, so it will be important to watch how he develops throughout the Senior Bowl process.
Running Backs
1. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
The catalyst of the flash-less Nebraska offense this year, Abdullah plays with great short-area quickness and burst, allowing him to keep his balance and thrive on the interior despite not being a power back, turning small areas into persistent big games. He’s a complete back who produces inside and out, and should separate himself in most areas from the rest of this running back group.
2. David Cobb, Minnesota
As a next level back, David Cobb sports a powerful frame and shows a nice blend of balance and vision to win between the tackles. He’s a tightly wound athlete but shows some wiggle to his game. Not a guy that will hit the homerun, but more of a singles and doubles ball carrier.
3. Jeremy Langford, Michigan State
4. Tyler Varga, Yale
Wide Receivers
1. Tony Lippett, Michigan State
Lippett has the ideal physical skill set for the next level with a long, athletic frame capable of adding strength. He’s worked hard to improve at the catch point, but is still developing as a route runner and technician. His bulk concerns, ability to get off press, and gain separation outside of vertical routes will be tested during practices.
2. Ty Montgomery, Stanford
Stanford’s big play weapon the last two years, Montgomery boasts top-end lateral quickness and elusiveness, both as a run-after-catch receiver and a kick/punt returner. His value as an every-down receiver will be the biggest question mark for NFL teams, as Tavon Austin’s struggles to be a high-impact, consistent threat for the Rams has diminished the value of big play, situational receiving options.
3. Devin Smith, Ohio State
The draft’s top vertical threat, Smith has the unique ability, rivaled by only DeSean Jackson to have remarkable consistency in finishing vertical catches. His concentration, timing, and follow-through as a deep passing game target alone makes him a top-40 option, even though he’s a bit lackluster in other parts of his game. A few of those plays during Senior Bowl practices could really kick up the first-round interest.
4. Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
As a package-specific receiver, Lockett can make it in the NFL with his combination of quick feet and patient technique as a route runner. He does a great job of breaking down defensive backs with his footwork and attacking leverage to create separation. In addition to excelling as a route runner, he’s dynamic as a returner. Concerns with Lockett center around his diminutive frame and inconsistent hands, as both combine to present passers a small margin for error when it comes to ball placement. Because he understands how to get open and can contribute on special teams, Lockett will be a sure-fire day three draft selection.
5. Antwan Goodley, Baylor
6. Jamison Crowder, Duke
7. Vince Mayle, Stanford
Tight Ends
1. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
Filling the H-Back, tight end and slot receiver role for the Irish, Koyack has developed into one of the more complete tight ends in the country, especially as a blocker who finishes well on the perimeter and on the interior, including as a pass blocker. His polish with his hands and lower body positioning should allow him to make an instant impact there, and if he can impress teams as a route runner/pass catcher, two areas he didn’t wow on film with, he could be viewed as a fringe #1 tight end in many NFL offenses.
2. Nick Boyle, Delaware
3. Casey Pierce, Kent State
Offensive Linemen
1. TJ Clemmings, Pittsburgh
A former defensive end just two years ago, Clemmings is clearly still a raw blocker. He’s still a bit lost when forced to adjust as a blocker in space, and his timing to engage in pass protection is still a work in progress. But his length, power once engaged, foot quickness and exchange, and natural lower body strength could entice teams.
2. Laken Tomlinson, Duke
The Duke product is looking to become the first Blue Devil to be taken in the first-round since 1987. The well-built, plus-length and strong lower half blocker is the favorite to be the draft’s top true guard, and his ability to extend away with success against 5-technique types and keep quicker rushes away from his chest-plate is why teams could view him as a safe pick in a relatively lackluster and risk-based first-round. The Senior Bowl has been known to push up “safer” offensive line players with a good week.
3. Donovan Smith, Penn State
Playing left tackle for Penn State this year, Smith’s limited ability away from his frame and athletic limitations likely kick him inside to guard at the next level. After surprisingly leaving school early (likely because he knew he could get a Senior Bowl invite), Smith will need to prove he’s not a project at guard, and thanks to his phone-booth quickness and flashes of plus punch and short-area hand usage, he’ll have the opportunity to do so.
4. Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin
Havenstein is a road grading tackle. He doesn’t have much bend or quickness in pass protection, but he has heavy hands and a nasty mindset. Hailing from a Wisconsin program known for churning out NFL-worthy offensive linemen, Havenstein will need to have showcase that usual Badger NFL-readiness, as well as show his size and length doesn’t leave his chest-plate open too frequently against speed rushers.
5. Ali Marpet, Hobart
6. Robert Myers, Tennessee State
7. Jamil Douglas, Arizona State
8. Max Garcia, Florida
9. Trenton Brown, Florida
10. Chris Jasperse, Marshall
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