While the 2015 Senior Bowl North roster lacks top-end linebacker talent or big names at defensive back, it does boast two Washington defensive standouts in Danny Shelton and Hau’oli Kikaha, plenty of intriguing defensive linemen, and high-upside defensive backs like Quentin Rollins of Miami (OH) and Eric Rowe of Utah.
Defensive Linemen
1. Danny Shelton, Washington
Despite playing on the defensive line and aligning as the nose tackle, Danny Shelton still finished second on his team in tackles and tackles for loss. For his size, Shelton possesses rare blend of power and quicks. NFL teams are looking at a plug-and-play nose tackle prospect, but the big concern and red flag moving forward will be his weight. Tipping the scales at 350 pounds following his junior season, Shelton committed to losing weight and began this season around 330 pounds. One of our scouts Ian Wharton noted that Shelton seemed to get bigger as the 2014 season progressed, so weigh-ins and workouts will be critical for the big Washington nose tackle.
2. Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington
The second defensive linemen from Washington, Kikaha might be more discussed in the first-round area if not for injury concerns. He’s shown the ability to drop in 3-4 coverages, has plus hip transitions in coverage and off the edge, and converts speed to power very well. An explosive tackler who slides laterally well, he’ll just need to show he can play at DE and OLB, as well as ease teams’ concerns about his injury history at the Senior Bowl.
3. Carl Davis, Iowa
With plus length and a thick body type across his frame, Davis has controlled the interior with great natural strength and active hands that, along with a sturdy base and lower body control, has allowed him to hold strong against double teams. While he’s a bit limited laterally as a pass rusher, it’s Davis strength, body type and active hands that should overcome a lackluster senior season.
4. Nate Orchard, Utah
Playing defensive end in college, Orchard thrived on lateral quickness, control as he sets up blockers and a devastating initial burst to have success in college. But he’s a bit lean in his upper half and relies on initial burst to have success, which may lead to many teams considering him a 3-4 linebacker. He’ll need to show he can manage as a defensive end in the NFL.
5. Za’Darius Smith, Kentucky
While his teammate Bud Dupree has received first-round buzz and declined his Senior Bowl invite, Za’Darius Smith has an NFL future thanks to his composed, controlled style as a backside edge player, keeping his hands and upper body positioned very well. He sets up his edge rushes at a high level, utilizing positioning, patience and hand placement to get around the edge. His ability to hold the edge well is what could eventually lead him to a situational starter role in the NFL, and he’ll look to make the most of his Senior Bowl “call up” from the Shrine Game.
6. Deion Barnes, Penn State
7. Henry Anderson, Stanford
8. Louis Trinca-Pasat, Iowa
9. Marcus Hardison, Arizona State
Linebackers
1. Jordan Hicks, Texas
Medically redshirted each of the past two years (torn Achilles tendon in 2013 and hip flexor injury in 2012), Jordan Hicks finally notched a healthy, productive senior season with a team-high 138 tackles. He’s great at sifting through the trash, working downhill with his run reads and finishing as a wrap tackler. Although he shows good closing speed on perimeter runs, I view him as more of a 4-3 ILB prospect with his ability to read and react downhill. Hicks could be a starter behind a defensive line that can keep him clean.
2. Zach Hodges, Harvard
The Ivy product boasts a long, lean frame that is begging to be developed further in the NFL, especially now that he projects to an NFL 3-4 outside linebacker. A smooth athlete in gaining speed, Hodges sinks and fires through initial contact and shows he can finish in space. He needs to disengage more effectively in Mobile than he did in college.
3. Hayes Pullard, USC
4. Mike Hull, Penn State
5. Jeff Luc, Cincinnati
Defensive Backs
1. Quinten Rollins, Miami (OH)
A starter on the RedHawks basketball team, and one of the best defenders/stealers in the MAC, Rollins plays with the expected fluidity, explosiveness and ability to finish at the catch-point as you’d expect from a basketball player. He opens his hips very smoothly, he’s tight and controlled in his pedal, and his able to run with receivers cross-field and vertically.
2. Eric Rowe, Utah
In addition to being a corner with plus length, Eric Rowe also brings starter experience at the safety position. He’s a player that can win at the line of scrimmage or transition between routes in zone coverage. His ability to tackle and reroute receivers with physicality make him an ideal Cover 2 cornerback, but he’ll be looking to prove his worth as a man cover defender at the Senior Bowl. There are a number of straight-line athletes with deep speed in this year’s crop of Senior Bowl receivers, so it’ll be important for Rowe to win with physicality early in the route and show the hip fluidity to flip open.
3. Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State
Drummond took a step back in 2014, but he’s still flashed his ability as a force as a run threat and proving to be capable as a vertical coverage defensive back. He breaks down well as a tackler, albeit being a bit over-aggressive and taking poor angles at times. His run capabilities along with his ability to turn and run in vertical coverage still put him in the top-end of safeties in the 2015 class.
4. Quandre Diggs, Texas
Although he lacks ideal length at the position, Quandre Diggs adds plus upside to an NFL secondary as a nickel player. The first thing that stands out with Diggs is his loose hips through the turn and transition speed at the top of the route. He keeps his feet underneath him, sees the play develop quickly and trusts his eyes in driving to the football. What also impresses with Diggs is his willingness to support the run and how consistently he finishes as a tackler. His value lies in the day three range, as an immediate role player on sub-package defenses. Considering how well he tackles and the experience he has returning punts, Diggs’ impact on special teams cements his draftable grade.
5. Kevin White, TCU
Although he’s not very big, Kevin White impressed on tape with his physical cover style and ability to play the catch point for a smaller defensive back. Using inside leverage and arm-barring to direct the route, he competes with receivers to the whistle and understands how to fight for positioning without drawing pass interference or holding. He also shows the light, confident feet to operate in off coverage and plus body control through the hip turn. He lacks ideal length to play on the perimeter on an every down basis, but will make it in the league as a nickel corner.
6 Doran Grant, Ohio State
7. Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern
8. Adrian Amos, Penn State
9. Damarious Randall, Arizona State
10. Steven Nelson, Oregon State
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