Thread: Senior Bowl Thread; Current News on Draft Prospects.............

Senior Bowl Preview: The Top 10 Offensive Prospects

Who are the top ranked offensive prospects going into the week? Wes Bunting



January 20, 2012 Print This
4 Comments





With the NFP’s return from the East-West Shrine game Friday, we now turn our attention to the Senior Bowl and rank the top 10 prospects on the offensive side of the ball.
ICONAdams could be in store for a big week.


1. WR Kendall Wright: Baylor (5-10, 190)
In the same mold as a number of Pittsburgh Steelers receivers (Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders) and can be effective both inside and out making plays down the field at the next level.

2. OT Mike Adams: Ohio State (6-8, 320)
He's a talented kid with a big frame, long arms and natural movement skills. He can bend and if he can put it all together and continue to improve his footwork he could certainly mature into a starting caliber left tackle in the NFL.

3. OL Kelechi Osemele: Iowa State (6-6, 347)
A big, thick kid with natural strength, athleticism and flexibility. Has improved his technique and overall range off the edge, but is better suited to play inside or on the right side at the next level.

4. WR Dwight Jones: North Carolina (6-4, 225)
Really came into his own during the second half of the year in 2010 and has simply gotten better ever since. Runs well and can accelerate quickly for a big receiver, exhibiting natural fluidity to his game in the process. Needs to improve as a route runner, but talent is there for this guy to be a play making starting wide out in the NFL.

5. RB Doug Martin: Boise State (5-9, 215)
Martin isn't a dynamic size/speed back, but there aren't many negatives to his game as a back. He plays fast, runs low, is natural through the line of scrimmage and has a skill set somewhat similar to former Alabama RB Mark Ingram last year. He might fall a bit because he doesn't run overly well, but he has the skill set to start in the league.

6. QB Nick Foles: Arizona (6-5, 240)
A big, strong-armed passer who has the tools physically. Made some real strides as a quarterback as a senior without much talent around him. Is going to take some time, but is an potential starting caliber pocket passer.

7. OG Cordy Glenn: Georgia (6-5, 348)
A massive guard prospect who struggles with leverage in the run game. But can keep the pocket clean inside in pass protection because of his size/strength and natural athleticism. Moves well for his size and looks like a starter inside or at right tackle for a team who values bigger linemen.
Weeden knows how to spin the football.
8. QB Brandon Weeden: Oklahoma State (6-4, 218)
His age will likely keep him from going as early in the draft as his talents deserve. But there isn't a throw this guy can't make and he has the skill set and mental make-up to mature into a potential starter with some time.

9. RB Chris Polk: Washington (5-11, 222)
Is a big kid with a good feel inside, runs hard and will break some tackles. However, pad level, initial burst and lack of great change of direction skills make me think he's an average NFL starter only.

10. OT Zebrie Sanders: Florida State (6-6, 307)
A natural athlete who can bend, is coordinated and patient into contact. Possesses a good amount of upside as well and looks like a starter on either side of the O-line.


Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting

Senior Bowl Preview: The Top 10 Offensive Prospects

Who are the top ranked offensive prospects going into the week? Wes Bunting



January 20, 2012 Print This
4 Comments





With the NFP’s return from the East-West Shrine game Friday, we now turn our attention to the Senior Bowl and rank the top 10 prospects on the offensive side of the ball.
ICONAdams could be in store for a big week.


1. WR Kendall Wright: Baylor (5-10, 190)
In the same mold as a number of Pittsburgh Steelers receivers (Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders) and can be effective both inside and out making plays down the field at the next level.

2. OT Mike Adams: Ohio State (6-8, 320)
He's a talented kid with a big frame, long arms and natural movement skills. He can bend and if he can put it all together and continue to improve his footwork he could certainly mature into a starting caliber left tackle in the NFL.

3. OL Kelechi Osemele: Iowa State (6-6, 347)
A big, thick kid with natural strength, athleticism and flexibility. Has improved his technique and overall range off the edge, but is better suited to play inside or on the right side at the next level.

4. WR Dwight Jones: North Carolina (6-4, 225)
Really came into his own during the second half of the year in 2010 and has simply gotten better ever since. Runs well and can accelerate quickly for a big receiver, exhibiting natural fluidity to his game in the process. Needs to improve as a route runner, but talent is there for this guy to be a play making starting wide out in the NFL.

5. RB Doug Martin: Boise State (5-9, 215)
Martin isn't a dynamic size/speed back, but there aren't many negatives to his game as a back. He plays fast, runs low, is natural through the line of scrimmage and has a skill set somewhat similar to former Alabama RB Mark Ingram last year. He might fall a bit because he doesn't run overly well, but he has the skill set to start in the league.

6. QB Nick Foles: Arizona (6-5, 240)
A big, strong-armed passer who has the tools physically. Made some real strides as a quarterback as a senior without much talent around him. Is going to take some time, but is an potential starting caliber pocket passer.

7. OG Cordy Glenn: Georgia (6-5, 348)
A massive guard prospect who struggles with leverage in the run game. But can keep the pocket clean inside in pass protection because of his size/strength and natural athleticism. Moves well for his size and looks like a starter inside or at right tackle for a team who values bigger linemen.
Weeden knows how to spin the football.
8. QB Brandon Weeden: Oklahoma State (6-4, 218)
His age will likely keep him from going as early in the draft as his talents deserve. But there isn't a throw this guy can't make and he has the skill set and mental make-up to mature into a potential starter with some time.

9. RB Chris Polk: Washington (5-11, 222)
Is a big kid with a good feel inside, runs hard and will break some tackles. However, pad level, initial burst and lack of great change of direction skills make me think he's an average NFL starter only.

10. OT Zebrie Sanders: Florida State (6-6, 307)
A natural athlete who can bend, is coordinated and patient into contact. Possesses a good amount of upside as well and looks like a starter on either side of the O-line.


Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting

No doubt Adams will be of interest to the Bears. He's a LT with the size Tice likes.

One guy who interests me is RB Doug Martin. Probably a combination of Bears backs Kahlil Bell and Marion Barber. After screwing up two games and potentially being responsible for two losses Barber may well be in Lovie's doghouse and we all know how hard it is to escape that.

Martin might be a nice hedge against our inability to re-sign Forte long term. He wouldn't have all the tools that Forte does but he may be a very good between the tackles runner. Maybe the biggest problem is he's likely to go as early as the 2nd round and I don't see the Bears drafting a RB that high unless they planned to start him.

The next Izzy Idonije??? Kind of an interesting prospect. A little on the big side for a 4-3 DE but could probably play inside. He has good speed for a DT and the natural strength to dominate. May be worth a late pick or an UDFA. I thought it was interesting to learn that Gabriel was the guy who scouted Izzy.

A sleeper at the East-West game

Canadian college player could eventually turn into a steal. Greg Gabriel



Print ThisJanuary 20, 2012, 04:00 PM EST
6 Comments




I’ve been going to the practices of the East-West Shrine Game every year since 1986. For years the game and practices were held at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and it was probably the biggest All-Star game as far as attendance. Fans would pack the old Stanford Stadium to the likes of 70,000-plus every year. It truly was a spectacle with a huge parade and Shriners from all over the United States supporting the game.

Those days have long since been gone and it’s been over 10 years since the game was held at Stanford. It has become rather nomadic, being moved to San Antonio, Houston, Orlando and now St. Petersburg, Florida.
Akiem Hicks may be the most talented Canadian college player since Israel Idonije.


A tradition that hasn’t changed is the people who run the East-West game have always invited a few players who played Canadian college football. This year was no different, with three Canadian college players having been invited. One of those three, Akiem Hicks from the University of Regina, has a fairly good chance to play in the NFL. Hicks is the most talented Canadian college player I have seen at the East-West Game since Israel Idonije, the Chicago Bears defensive end who played in the game in the early 2000’s.


Who is Akiem Hicks? First off, he is not a Canadian citizen; he is from Elk Grove, California, and attended Sacramento City College and spent a few days at LSU before ending up at the University of Regina. While at Sacramento City College, Hicks was a highly recruited defensive lineman. Rivals.com rated him as a 4-star player coming out of junior college and he was offered by the likes of Tennessee, Arizona, Oregon and LSU. He signed with LSU but got caught up in an NCAA improper benefits scandal and never played there. His next stop was Regina, where he has shown dominating ability.


I was able to get five tapes from the 2011 season as well as watch him in three practices earlier this week. After viewing the practices and tape I can assure you he is a legitimate prospect. He is raw to say the least but he has the natural tools to work with.


Hicks has great natural size, measuring in at 6-4 and 324 with an arm length of 35.5.” He shows good athleticism and flashes a burst. He should probably lose about 10 lbs to increase his speed but I would estimate that he runs in the 4.95-5.00 area right now. He has a solid build and if given a chance to work in an NFL offseason conditioning program it’s no telling how good this player could look.


As far as technique goes, he is very raw. The best coaching he has ever received was probably this week. When watching tape on him, the competition he faced while at Regina was probably equivalent to a mid-level Division II program in the States. He got by purely on natural skills there and still showed dominating ability. He has a tendency to come off the ball high and expose his body and he lacks good hand use, but he is strong and powerful and uses his natural traits to get by.

I charted two of the five games I watched and in the first game he had 2 tackles, a sack, 4 quarterback pressures and 3 hits on the quarterback. In the other tape he had 6 total tackles, 2 sacks, 4 pressures and 2 hits on the QB. He is constantly being double and sometimes triple teamed yet he still shows the ability to make plays.

When I saw Idonije, he was very similar. He was tall with very long arms and a frame to get bigger. He had speed and was athletic but was clueless as to how to play the game. Idonije spent a year on the practice squad and then another year as a special teams player before he was ready to contribute as a defensive lineman. It could be much the same with Hicks. A club is going to have to show time and patience and wait for this kid to develop but in the end it could really pay off. Had Hicks been able to play at LSU there is no telling how good he could be. At this stage of his development he may not be a draft choice but at least he is a priority free agent. You have to look at this player as a big block of clay that is still waiting to be molded into a work of art. If done right, in the end you MAY have a masterpiece!

Senior Bowl: North Practice Notes Day 3

Who made their mark Wednesday? Wes Bunting

January 25, 2012 Print This

1 Comment


I got a good look at the linebackers this morning and it might be the strongest position on the North squad…


Arkansas State LB Demario Davis again stood out with his natural foot quickness and athleticism in coverage. He quickly can redirect, finds the football well and has a burst out of his breaks. Plus, he displayed good change of direction skills limiting tight ends in man coverage.


Utah State LB Bobby Wagner was also surprisingly solid in man coverage today considering he’s a guy who was used off the edge routinely on third down in college. He’s a physical kid who did a nice job anticipating routes, was able to sink his hips when trying to change directions and close. He’s isn’t the type of dynamic athlete who is able to get out of his breaks and make plays on the ball, but he understands angles and was able to close quickly in man.
Lavonte David can make plays despite being a bit undersized.


Nebraska LB Lavonte David is a bit undersized. However, he’s a “plus” athlete who can turn and run down the field. He’s loose in the hips, diagnoses plays quickly and always puts himself around the football. In the run game he’s routinely getting early jumps on the actions and knows how to scrape the edge and break down into contact.
Other day three notes…


In the secondary today, Michigan State safety Trenton Robinson showcased the ability to sit into his drop, stay compact with his footwork and quickly get out of his breaks in the deep half when driving on throws. He displayed an initial burst and had some closing range. However, he looks tighter in the hips when asked to turn and run, and doesn’t have a great feel when asked to match-up on the wheel routes out of the backfield. Twice he looked slow to decipher the action and gave up a step when trying to turn and run.


Utah OL Tony Bergstrom is another guy who I have been warming up to this week. He’s limited off the edge as a tackle. However, when kicked inside to guard he showcases a good first step, sits his base down and “fits” well into contact. He isn’t a guy I see as a potential NFL tackle, but as a guard prospect could see him starting at the next level.


On the other hand, Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler had a much tougher day. He’s a strong kid who can stick through contact once he gets his hands on you. However, he’s not real comfortable when trying to mirror in space laterally and would routinely get overextended trying to get his hands on defenders. The more space he’s asked to play in the less effective he is in pass protection.


I have to tip my hat to Boise State LB Shea McClellin. The guy has done a nice job this week competing in linebacker drills. Plus, he showcases sneaky fluidity when asked to turn and run down the field with running backs and has a good feel finding the football when lined-up inside. Overall, he’s a versatile kid who will get looks in both a 34 and 43 scheme and should be able to create pressure from a number of spots at the next level.


Wednesday was the best day of practice in my view for Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard. He was physical in press coverage, did a nice job staying in receivers back pockets down the field and competes when asked to go make a play on the football. He still lets opposing wide outs get behind him. However, as a potential cover two guy he should be able to find a home.


It’s been a pretty “blah” week of practice for Missouri TE Michael Egnew. He hasn’t shown much burst off the line from a three-point stance and is tighter when trying to get out of his breaks and separate. Now, he is a big kid, but looks limited in the type of routes he can run at the next level.


Finally, Appalachian State WR Brian Quick finally started to flash a little for me today. He’s a good-looking kid with a big frame and can track the football down the field. Plus, he did a better job dropping his pad level working the comeback and looked more natural catching the football. I still don’t see the guy as a big time NFL receiver who consistently is going to be able to win off the line and separate out of his breaks. But he’s got enough natural talent to create some mismatches at the next level.


Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting
Check out the NFP Draft Page here…

Senior Bowl: North Practice Notes Day 3

Who made their mark Wednesday? Wes Bunting

January 25, 2012 Print This

1 Comment


I got a good look at the linebackers this morning and it might be the strongest position on the North squad…


Arkansas State LB Demario Davis again stood out with his natural foot quickness and athleticism in coverage. He quickly can redirect, finds the football well and has a burst out of his breaks. Plus, he displayed good change of direction skills limiting tight ends in man coverage.


Utah State LB Bobby Wagner was also surprisingly solid in man coverage today considering he’s a guy who was used off the edge routinely on third down in college. He’s a physical kid who did a nice job anticipating routes, was able to sink his hips when trying to change directions and close. He’s isn’t the type of dynamic athlete who is able to get out of his breaks and make plays on the ball, but he understands angles and was able to close quickly in man.
Lavonte David can make plays despite being a bit undersized.


Nebraska LB Lavonte David is a bit undersized. However, he’s a “plus” athlete who can turn and run down the field. He’s loose in the hips, diagnoses plays quickly and always puts himself around the football. In the run game he’s routinely getting early jumps on the actions and knows how to scrape the edge and break down into contact.
Other day three notes…


In the secondary today, Michigan State safety Trenton Robinson showcased the ability to sit into his drop, stay compact with his footwork and quickly get out of his breaks in the deep half when driving on throws. He displayed an initial burst and had some closing range. However, he looks tighter in the hips when asked to turn and run, and doesn’t have a great feel when asked to match-up on the wheel routes out of the backfield. Twice he looked slow to decipher the action and gave up a step when trying to turn and run.


Utah OL Tony Bergstrom is another guy who I have been warming up to this week. He’s limited off the edge as a tackle. However, when kicked inside to guard he showcases a good first step, sits his base down and “fits” well into contact. He isn’t a guy I see as a potential NFL tackle, but as a guard prospect could see him starting at the next level.


On the other hand, Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler had a much tougher day. He’s a strong kid who can stick through contact once he gets his hands on you. However, he’s not real comfortable when trying to mirror in space laterally and would routinely get overextended trying to get his hands on defenders. The more space he’s asked to play in the less effective he is in pass protection.


I have to tip my hat to Boise State LB Shea McClellin. The guy has done a nice job this week competing in linebacker drills. Plus, he showcases sneaky fluidity when asked to turn and run down the field with running backs and has a good feel finding the football when lined-up inside. Overall, he’s a versatile kid who will get looks in both a 34 and 43 scheme and should be able to create pressure from a number of spots at the next level.


Wednesday was the best day of practice in my view for Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard. He was physical in press coverage, did a nice job staying in receivers back pockets down the field and competes when asked to go make a play on the football. He still lets opposing wide outs get behind him. However, as a potential cover two guy he should be able to find a home.


It’s been a pretty “blah” week of practice for Missouri TE Michael Egnew. He hasn’t shown much burst off the line from a three-point stance and is tighter when trying to get out of his breaks and separate. Now, he is a big kid, but looks limited in the type of routes he can run at the next level.


Finally, Appalachian State WR Brian Quick finally started to flash a little for me today. He’s a good-looking kid with a big frame and can track the football down the field. Plus, he did a better job dropping his pad level working the comeback and looked more natural catching the football. I still don’t see the guy as a big time NFL receiver who consistently is going to be able to win off the line and separate out of his breaks. But he’s got enough natural talent to create some mismatches at the next level.


Follow me on twitter: @WesBunting
Check out the NFP Draft Page here…

To think that Harrison Smith went to Knoxville Catholic High School and earned the award of "Mr. Football" for the state of Tennessee in 2006.

Notes from Mobile

What I am seeing on the field at the Senior Bowl. Matt Bowen

January 25, 2012 Print This
2 Comments


Click here to check out the NFP’s Draft Page.
Click here to see the new Get Sharp video: Senior Bowl prospect breakdowns


Let’s take a look at my notes and observations from both practice sessions on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl. Here is what I am seeing on the field along with some talk from NFL scouts.


- There was a buzz after the South squad wrapped up practice yesterday afternoon because of the speed, tempo and hitting on the field. The LBs looked more athletic, DBs were competing in one-on-ones and inside run drill was a physical session. There was a noticeable difference between the two practice sessions on Tuesday.
ICONAlabama's Courtney Upshaw was impressive in one-on-one pass rush on Tuesday at Senior Bowl practice.


- During one-on-one pass rush, both Alabama DE/ OLB Courtney Upshaw and UNC DE Quinton Coples stood out. With Upshaw, there is enormous power to his game but he also demonstrated the ability to use his hands (and multiple moves) to win. With Coples, we are looking at a legit edge rusher. Speed to turn the corner and athletic ability that isn’t matched by anyone on the field for his size (6-6, 281).


- Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins stands out on the North roster because of this arm strength compared to Boise State’s Kellen Moore and Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson. And talking with scouts, his stock may start to rise.


- This isn’t a strong WR class down here in Mobile, but what about Texas A&M’s Jeff Fuller? The 6-4 WR did show some ability to separate from DBs, plus he can run the 3-step game and intermediate route tree. The question I have: will he be able to win vs. NFL DB aligned in a press-position?


- Loved seeing the DBs on the South squad get up to the line of scrimmage and play press-coverage. And the one CB that consistently competed was Dwight Bentley from Louisiana-Lafayette. Doesn’t have ideal size (5-10, 176), but was physical with his initial punch and also drove downhill on the ball when playing from an off-man position. Keep an eye on him throughout the draft process.

- I asked an NFL scout yesterday to give me one name that continued to show up on the North roster and he told me Appalachian State WR Brian Quick. He has size (6-3, 222), length and body control.


- I talked about Notre Dame SS Harrison Smith on Monday, but another safety to watch on the North roster is George Iloka from Bosie St. He is talll (6-3) for a middle of the field safety, displayed some range and took good angles to the ball on the skinny post/seam route. But with any free safety, we have to talk about coverage skills at the NFL level. Can he walk down over a slot, handle the TE on the 7 (corner) route, etc.?


- Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden throws a good ball. This was one of the questions I had leading up to this week because of the offensive system Okie State, however Weeden looked comfortable in the pocket and displayed nice touch on the deep ball.


- A better session for Oklahoma CB Jamell Fleming. He played with more confidence, challenged routes and brought a physical approach to his game in one-on-ones. From my perspective, he is the top CB on the North roster.

- Iowa WR Marvin McNutt was solid in one-on-ones and you could tell he was there to compete. To read more about it, check out the breakdown from the NFP’s Wes Bunting.


- LSU FS Brandon Taylor had the play of the day filling the alley and laying a clinic tape hit on RB Vick Ballard in the open field. Not surprising after watching the tackling technique from that LSU secondary all season.


Stay with the NFP all week for our Senior Bowl coverage from Mobile…
Follow me on Twitter: @MattBowen41

I just highlighted a few of the guys the Bears scouts may be looking at this week.

Coples has got the Julius Peppers kind of size and athletic ability and fits the kind of DE the Bears look for to a tee. I doubt he'll last until #19 but it sure would be nice to have a shot at him. To me Coples or one of the LT's (Martin or Adams) would be nice pickup with that pick.

Marvin McNutt and Brian Quick have both been mentioned as attracting attention from the scouts. Both have the size and hands of a good receiver and both look like they're rated as going in rounds 3 or 4 right now but that may change as we get closer to draft day.

It's interesting to note that both Bunting and Bowen have commented on the strength of the linebacker class. Maybe this is the time to shop for a young guy who may be able to grow into any one of the LB spots.