While the 2015 Senior Bowl South offense doesn’t boast the same top-end talent the North does, it does offer the highly productive Shane Carden and his teammate Justin Hardy and the game’s top two offensive linemen in La’el Collins.
Quarterbacks
1. Shane Carden, East Carolina
Shane Carden started his senior year with plus-performances against top competition and wildly productive performances, and intrigue built for NFL teams. But his athletic and arm talent limitations may be enough to diminish his timing and ball placement standout ability. He’ll need to show he can spin a tight pass regardless of the weather at the Senior Bowl to be viewed as a top-five draftable option.
2. Nick Marshall, Auburn
Marshall was a late add as a Senior Bowl quarterback and has been considered by some NFL teams as a defensive back conversion. As a quarterback prospect, he showcases rare arm strength but an inconsistent release point. His base setup and mechanics are compact and centered, but he’ll have to show more attention to detail and improve at reading the leverage, body language and positioning of safeties and cornerbacks. Much like Petty, Marshall comes from a simplified scheme and will have a steep learning curve at the next level.
3. Blake Sims, Alabama
With Blake Sims, he’s played in a pro style system his entire career but not always as a quarterback. Bounced around from quarterback to running back and back to quarterback as an underclassman, Sims only started one season under center. As a senior, he impressed with deep ball accuracy and a stronger than expected arm. He flashes the ability to avoid pressure and excels at throwing on the move. On the negative side of things, his field vision is spotty at best and he doesn’t do a good job of confirming presnap reads through his progressions. The Senior Bowl setting will separate Blake Sims from Lane Kiffin’s quarterback friendly system and blue-chip receiver Amari Cooper, ultimately giving him the chance to prove his worth as an NFL passer.
Running Backs
1. David Johnson, Northern Iowa
One of the best pass-catching running backs in the 2015 class, David Johnson boasts ideal size, NFL-ready pass-catching ability and route development, and a power-burst combination as a runner that should allow him to have a very intriguing week. If he leaves the Senior Bowl showing he can thrive in both areas, he could emerge as a safe running back option for teams to consider in the latter part of the top-100 overall picks.
2. Jalston Fowler, Alabama
Former HB that packed on weight and developed into a lead blocker. Experienced working as a flex TE and lead FB. Shows soft hands out of the backfield and ability to adjust to off-target throws. Not a developed route runner but effective receiver in the flats. Well-put together back that flashes the burst and powerful base to be productive ball carrier. Adds value in that he can serve as a reserve RB while contributing as a lead blocker.
3. Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn
4. Connor Neighbors
Wide Receivers
1. Justin Hardy, East Carolina
Justin Hardy is an above average athlete with a good, strong frame. He’s able to play from the slot thanks to his consistent, subtle separation in the mid-field and finishing ability away from his frame despite traffic. His ability to finish catches as well as transition upfield after catch is what could make him a top-two round option if he thrives at the Senior Bowl.
2.Rashad Greene, Florida State
Greene’s reliability is a big reason why, and he’ll enter the NFL as a pro-ready route-runner with sticky hands and excellent football intelligence. Not only is Greene a reliable underneath receiver, but he also shows the top-end speed to take plays to the house. More of an after-the-catch specialist than a deep threat, Greene has taken multiple slants and other short passes to the end zone this season and combines his speed with precision in his route tree to consistently create separation from defensive backs. His slim frame will make him susceptible to stronger cornerbacks who excel in press coverage, making Greene is a better fit for the slot in the NFL.
3. Sammy Coates, Auburn
Coates is a bit of a one-trick pony, but his one trick as a vertical weapon will make him a sought after commodity in the draft. You see natural ability to separate downfield, track the football and adjust at the catch point from Sammie Coates on downfield targets. He’s not a natural hands catcher in that he tends to body receptions and focus drops continue to be an issue for the junior prospect. From a skill set standpoint, he has the length and powerful upper body to stiff-arm cornerbacks and win after the catch. As a route runner, he’s very unrefined and not fluid getting out of the break. This is due in large part to his high-cut build and stiff ankles. I’ll be watching to see how he progresses throughout the week, particularly taking notes on his route running skills. Currently, Coates projects as a mid day two pick and compares favorably with last year’s 3rdrounder Donte Moncrief.
4. Josh Harper, Fresno State
Harper worked well as a complimentary piece in Derek Carr’s high-flying offense. Yet, he thrived as the main threat in the passing game this season. Harper is a tough player, but is incredibly gifted at earning optimal separation in his routes. He just finds ways to get open. Look out for him to put up a nice performance in this contest.
5. Devante Davis, UNLV
6. Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas
7. Phillip Dorsett, Miami (FL)
8. Dontella Luckett, Harding
Tight Ends
1. Nick O’Leary, Florida State
Florida State’s utility weapon, O’Leary got work as a true tight end and H-back during his career at Florida State. Limited a bit as a big-play threat and with positioning in the seam against longer linebackers/safeties, O’Leary will be tested as a blocker at both the tight end and fullback spot, as well as his ability to finish catches in traffic on the interior.
2. Clive Walford, Miami (FL)
3. CJ Uzomah, Auburn
Offensive Linemen
1. La’el Collins, LSU
Collins is one mean, blocking machine. When able to land his hands, gain control of the chestplate and run his feet through the target, he looks like a future all-pro right tackle. His pass set isn’t overly fluid and he labors at times on widened pass drops, but his length and upper body strength allow him to beat most rushers he’ll face. Collins excels at squaring up his man, bringing his feet with him to contact, overpowering with his initial punch and securing a fit. Here at the Senior Bowl, scouts want to see how he handles himself in one-on-one pass protection versus top senior pass rushing prospects. Collins proved he could handle left tackle duties at LSU, but looks better suited as a right tackle or guard at the next level. Collins may be the top offensive line prospect at the Senior Bowl and he currently projects as a first rounder.
2. Ty Sambralio, Colorado State
A key reason why Colorado State had offensive success this year, Sambrailo has the quick, light feet to be a mobile blocker and slide laterally as a pass protector. His tenacity as a blocker makes up in part for his sustaining strength in his upper and lower half as a blocker, especially against bull rushers in the passing game, but he’s athletically and mentally ready to battle for an NFL starting offensive tackle spot.
3. Daryl Williams, Oklahoma
Dominant with his punch and latch grip, Williams gets away with subpar foot speed and inconsistent body positioning. Similar to Collins in that he’s better suited at right tackle or guard, Williams’ combination of size, length and strength make him a plus run blocker and more than adequate pass protector. His kick slide isn’t pretty but again, he’s able to compensate with his long arms to run defensive ends wide of the pocket. Williams is not quite as powerful as 2013 first rounder D.J. Fluker, but is very similar in terms of creating consistent push in the run game. Overextension leads to balance issues and holding penalties, so I’ll be looking for improved blocking patience and footwork. As far as draft stock, Williams is a fringe day two prospect.
4. Reese Dismukes, Auburn
Shows pro-ready awareness of fronts, consistently executes down blocks and just athletic enough to finish at the second level. Squatty, girthy center that can operate alone versus shade nose tackles and zero-techniques. Appears to be filled out from a physique standpoint, as he has a narrow set of shoulders and a pear-shaped body type. Lack of length is a limitation and he tends to block body-to-body. He’ll need to show the athleticism to execute reach blocks and improve as a downfield blocker. We currently view Dismukes as a late 3rd to early 4th round prospect.
5. Tre’ Jackson, Florida State
6. Arie Kouandjio, Alabama
7. Dillon Day, Mississippi State
8. Tayo Fabuluje, TCU
9 Austin Shepherd, Alabama
10. Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech
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