It’s been a LONG week here in Mobile, and I’ve gotten a great feel for who a lot of these players are in padded practices, in one on ones, when the pressure is on, and off the field as well. And while most of the NFL scouts leave by Wednesday, with a few hang-ons until Thursday, there still is much to be gained from evaluating the actual Senior Bowl game, echoed by an NFL scout I spoke with who looks forward to getting the actual game film afterwards.
Here is who I think should fill the starting lineup roles, as well as a few scouting match-ups to really follow closely, and who I believe will be the players of the game on Saturday.
North GameDay “Should Be” Starting Lineups
Quarterback – Russell Wilson, NC State
Running Back – Doug Martin, Boise State
Outside Receivers – Marvin Jones, California AND Marvin McNuttt, Iowa
Slot Receiver – TJ Graham, NC State
Tight End – Brian Linthicum, Michigan State
Offensive Tackles – Mitchell Schwartz, California AND Mike Adams, Ohio State
Offensive Guards – Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin AND Tony Bergstrom, Utah
Offensive Center – Mike Brewster, Ohio State
Defensive Ends – Cam Johnson, Virginia AND Vinny Curry, Marshall
Defensive Tackles – Mike Martin, Michigan AND Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati
Outside Linebackers – Lavonte David, Nebraska AND Bobby Wagner, Utah State
Inside Linebacker – James Michael-Johnson, Nevada
Cornerbacks – Leonard Johnson, Iowa State AND Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma
Safties – George Iloka, Boise State AND Harrison Smith, Notre Dame
NOTES: Based on what I saw, Russell Wilson was actually a close second in a lot of ways (mostly besides arm strength) to Brandon Weeden as the most impressive QB here, far more comfortable in making reads than Kirk Cousins. As you’ll see later, the running backs and safeties were mostly just situationally evaluated. Doug Martin showed some explosiveness at times, plus he was the best blocker of the ground. At safety, George Iloka had a handful of nice closes-on-the-ball and showed tight end coverage ability, while Harrison Smith made drops to all levels of the defense, and had the least amount of wasted motion of any safety here. Speaking of little wasted motion, that was the most impressive part of receiver Marvin Jones’s game. Mitchell Schwartz was the clear most consistent blocker all week on the North squad, and even though I though Mike Adams was deplorable and soft at times this week, he still has impressed at times and flashed some left tackle ability. Cam Johnson was listed at linebacker, but as a pass rusher, he showed the best counter rushes of any end on the North team. Bobby Wagner played inside in college, but as an outside linebacker, he won’t need to show his weakness as a poor block shedder in the NFL. Leonard Johnson may be an ideal nickel cornerback in the NFL, but despite his size and length, he still can run with multiple receivers in multiple formations. Jamell Fleming struggled, but so did many cornerbacks on the North roster, with him having the length to make up for his mistakes this week.
South GameDay “Should Be” Starting Lineups
Quarterback – Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
Running Back – Chris Rainey, Florida
Outside Receivers – Juron Criner, Arizona AND Dwight Jones, North Carolina
Slot Receiver – Joe Adams, Arkansas
Offensive Tackles – Cordy Glenn, Georgia AND Matt McCants, UAB
Offensive Guards – Jeff Allen, Illinois AND Phillip Blake, Baylor
Offensive Center – Ben Jones, Georgia
Defensive Ends – Quinton Coples, North Carolina AND Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
Defensive Tackles – Brandon Thompson, Clemson AND Jaye Howard, Florida
Outside Linebackers – Courtney Upshaw, Alabama AND Nigel Bradham, Florida State
Inside Linebacker – Sean Spence, Miami (FL)
Cornerbacks – Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama AND Brandon Boykin, Georgia
Safties – Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State AND Antonio Allen, South Carolina
NOTES: While I won’t argue for Brandon Weeden because he’s obviously the best quarterback here, I do think his connection with Joe Adams has been awesome to watch, and has helped Adams show he’s the clear cut top slot receiver here. Chris Rainey also played a bit of slot, but thanks to the fact that none of the other running backs really flashed and Rainey wants to be a running back, he got the starting nod. Juron Criner has been surprisngly impressive and I liked the Marques Colston-type comparison someone gave me via Twitter. Dwight Jones was a favorite of mine coming into today, but like Quinton Coples on the defensive line, he seemed to lack focus and wasn’t as impressive following day one. Cordy Glenn was near-outstanding at left tackle all week, showing that he should be a legit left tackle prospect in the NFL. Matt McCants wasn’t all that impressive and was beat by a variety of rushers and rushes, but his problems stem from lack of footwork and technique, both correctable for a devleopmental prospect like him. As mentioned before, Quinton Coples wasn’t AS impressive after day one, but he and Courtney Upshaw (listed as a LB here) gave the offensive tackles fits all week and really showed why they may be the draft’s top two rushers. Brandon Thompson and Jaye Howard both flashed at times this week, both needing to be quick off the snap to be effective. Thompson seems quicker and more decisive in his initial move while Howard has some counter ability, but both were suscptible to being knocked off balance. Nigel Bradham got the close edge over Zach Brown because he looked more polished in coverage, but he’s not the athlete nor has the ceiling that Brown does. Sean Spence is a weakside linebacker in the NFL, but he was the most impressive “true” linebacker here, forceful in team drills, tracking the ball well, and showing some great balance and quick feet. Janoris Jenkins and Brandon Boykin played better than expected, both getting physical and were disruptive with all types of receivers, and clearly were the top two cornerbacks at the Senior Bowl.
Scouting Match-Ups to Watch
1. Mitchell Schwartz/Mike Adams vs. Quinton Coples/Melvin Ingram/Courtney Upshaw
-North OTs didn’t have dynamic pass rushers like the South did. Interesting to see how they handle the test of 3 likely 1st round rushers.
2. Marvin Jones vs. Janoris Jenkins/Brandon Boykin
-Jones has been decisive and smooth down the field, picking apart North DBs. Jenkins/Boykin were the best 2 CBs, both very physical.
3. Running Backs vs. Linebackers/Safeties in FULL Contact
-Outside of pass blocking/rushing and pass catching/coverage, the real time to evaluate the RBs, LBs, and Ss this week is on GameDay.
4. Russell Wilson vs. Pass Rush AND Sean Spence/Zach Brown/Nigel Bradham in Coverage
-Russell Wilson impressed in reading and reacting to zone coverage, especially in 7 vs. 7 drills. Lets see how he does with a pass rush + talented coverage linebackers.
5. Bobby Wagner vs Jeff Allen/Phillip Blake/Other 2nd Level Offensive Linemen
-Wagner’s biggest concern as a prospect is his ability to forcefully get off blocks. Allen and Blake have been great at shooting their hands well against quicker guys.
Likely GameDay Stars
Offensive Player of the Game: Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas
-He and Brandon Weeden have been special to watch. Both could have big games, with Adams getting more attention for his big play ability. You can almost mark it down: Weeden to the left hash to Adams for a 60 yard touchdown. Plus, he’ll likely be returning as well.
Defensive Player of the Game: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
-Likely lining up at end, he has been so forceful with the South offensive tackles, the North tackles are lesser to me, and aren’t ready. I’d almost mark down a sack or two from him, only being slowed by the rotation the defense will.
Others Who Could Have Great “Game”:
-Doug Martin, RB, Boise State – Hard to tell which running back will be the best, but he has big play ability, showed explosivenss all week.
-Marvin Jones, WR, California – The most polished, consistent receiver here, and if that translates to gameday, teams will REALLY be impressed.
-Chris Rainey, RB/WR, Florida – Has that big play ability, maybe the fastest prospect here, and should be lined up at RB and WR.
-Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall – Showed some versatility in rush moves, he seems to be able to get low enough that Cordy Glenn should struggle with him.
-Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia – Finished his career with a huge game at Georgia, and he played well all week. He seems to step up when he needs to.
-Markelle Mitchell, S, Oklahoma State – Playing center field, he showed some explosive cuts and was the best in deep safety drills this week. An INT could do it.
-Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina – Wasn’t as dominant after day one, he could flash again the game. Sure has the talent to do so.
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