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2015 Senior Bowl: 10 offensive prospects to watch
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 18, 2015 8:17 pm ET
Although there are over 100 days remaining until the 2015 NFL Draft, the Reese's Senior Bowl is the unofficial kick off to the draft season as the nation's top senior prospects compete in Mobile, Ala. with all 32 NFL teams in attendance. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, but the real work is done during the daily practices throughout the week, starting on Tuesday.
With 110 roster spots, each player at the Senior Bowl has a chance to prove himself, but these 10 offensive prospects especially have much to gain this week.
QB Bryce Petty, Baylor (6-2, 230, 4.74)
This is Petty's week. Let's call it a “money” week for him because it's a chance for the Baylor passer to cement himself as the top senior quarterback prospect and worthy of a top-100 draft pick. The Senior Bowl is crucial to Petty's pro evaluation because it gives scouts a chance to study him under center and outside of Art Briles' shotgun, spread offense.
RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (5-9, 190, 4.49)
As Nebraska's all-time leader in all-purpose yardage, there is more than enough game film out there for scouts to evaluate Abdullah. However, his performance in pass protection drills in Mobile will be a crucial part of his final draft grade. NFL teams know what Abdullah offers as an athlete, but his ability as a blocker will shape his role at the next level.
RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa (6-2, 215, 4.59)
Johnson is a stout runner with strong, decisive strides as an athlete, forcing defenders to bring their big boy pants to bring him down. But where he really shines is as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, using his focus and open field vision to be a threat on third down. Johnson projects as a bigger version of Charles Sims, who was a Senior Bowl standout last year.
WR Devin Smith, Ohio State (6-2, 198, 4.51)
A nine route monster, Smith has been one of the best deep threats in college football with 12 touchdowns on only 33 receptions in 2014 – that's a touchdown every 2.75 catches, best in the NCAA. But he has been very inconsistent on non-vertical routes and needs to prove himself as more than just a downfield target.
WR Sammie Coates, Auburn (6-1, 201, 4.48)
One of a few redshirt juniors who are eligible to participate this week, Coates has the physique and straight-line speed that evaluators covet at the receiver position. But he is not yet the sum of his parts with inconsistent routes and unreliable hands and needs to show better polish this week to show he's more than just a project.
TE Nick Boyle, Delaware (6-3, 265, 4.89)
One of several FCS prospects worth getting to know, Boyle doesn't have elite production (304 receiving yards in 2014), but his skill-set has drawn the attention of NFL scouts. He needs some technique work as a blocker, but the Blue Hen tight end moves well for his size with agile footwork to release off the line of scrimmage and get open.
OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh (6-5, 305, 4.78)
My favorite prospect in Mobile this week, Clemmings has been climbing draft boards throughout the season and a positive week at the Senior Bowl could make him the consensus top senior at tackle. A former defensive end, Clemmings is a mauler who dominates in the run game, but his performance during pass protection drills will be closely scrutinized.
OT Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State (6-5, 310, 5.29)
Colorado State had an offensive lineman (Weston Richburg) shine at the Senior Bowl last year and Sambrailo is attempting to follow in his footsteps. The athleticism and toughness are there, but his functional strength is a question mark for the next level, something Sambrailo won't be able to hide in Mobile.
OT La'el Collins, LSU (6-5, 315, 5.42)
LSU's starting left tackle the last two seasons, Collins will be an offensive tackle on some draft boards, but a guard on others so it will be interesting to see what position(s) he practices at during Senior Bowl drills. Although his tape isn't always pretty, he consistently gets the job done with finishing toughness that is second to none.
OG Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech (6-1, 305, 5.20)
Like offensive skill players in Baylor's offense, it's tough to properly evaluate offensive line play in the Yellow Jackets triple option offense. But Mason's balanced athleticism and mean streak routinely stood out at guard for Georgia Tech, making his transition to a pro-style scheme intriguing. Mason is currently flying under the radar, but I'll bet he's a “riser” after Mobile.
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 18, 2015 8:17 pm ET
Although there are over 100 days remaining until the 2015 NFL Draft, the Reese's Senior Bowl is the unofficial kick off to the draft season as the nation's top senior prospects compete in Mobile, Ala. with all 32 NFL teams in attendance. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, but the real work is done during the daily practices throughout the week, starting on Tuesday.
With 110 roster spots, each player at the Senior Bowl has a chance to prove himself, but these 10 offensive prospects especially have much to gain this week.
QB Bryce Petty, Baylor (6-2, 230, 4.74)
This is Petty's week. Let's call it a “money” week for him because it's a chance for the Baylor passer to cement himself as the top senior quarterback prospect and worthy of a top-100 draft pick. The Senior Bowl is crucial to Petty's pro evaluation because it gives scouts a chance to study him under center and outside of Art Briles' shotgun, spread offense.
RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (5-9, 190, 4.49)
As Nebraska's all-time leader in all-purpose yardage, there is more than enough game film out there for scouts to evaluate Abdullah. However, his performance in pass protection drills in Mobile will be a crucial part of his final draft grade. NFL teams know what Abdullah offers as an athlete, but his ability as a blocker will shape his role at the next level.
RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa (6-2, 215, 4.59)
Johnson is a stout runner with strong, decisive strides as an athlete, forcing defenders to bring their big boy pants to bring him down. But where he really shines is as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, using his focus and open field vision to be a threat on third down. Johnson projects as a bigger version of Charles Sims, who was a Senior Bowl standout last year.
WR Devin Smith, Ohio State (6-2, 198, 4.51)
A nine route monster, Smith has been one of the best deep threats in college football with 12 touchdowns on only 33 receptions in 2014 – that's a touchdown every 2.75 catches, best in the NCAA. But he has been very inconsistent on non-vertical routes and needs to prove himself as more than just a downfield target.
WR Sammie Coates, Auburn (6-1, 201, 4.48)
One of a few redshirt juniors who are eligible to participate this week, Coates has the physique and straight-line speed that evaluators covet at the receiver position. But he is not yet the sum of his parts with inconsistent routes and unreliable hands and needs to show better polish this week to show he's more than just a project.
TE Nick Boyle, Delaware (6-3, 265, 4.89)
One of several FCS prospects worth getting to know, Boyle doesn't have elite production (304 receiving yards in 2014), but his skill-set has drawn the attention of NFL scouts. He needs some technique work as a blocker, but the Blue Hen tight end moves well for his size with agile footwork to release off the line of scrimmage and get open.
OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh (6-5, 305, 4.78)
My favorite prospect in Mobile this week, Clemmings has been climbing draft boards throughout the season and a positive week at the Senior Bowl could make him the consensus top senior at tackle. A former defensive end, Clemmings is a mauler who dominates in the run game, but his performance during pass protection drills will be closely scrutinized.
OT Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State (6-5, 310, 5.29)
Colorado State had an offensive lineman (Weston Richburg) shine at the Senior Bowl last year and Sambrailo is attempting to follow in his footsteps. The athleticism and toughness are there, but his functional strength is a question mark for the next level, something Sambrailo won't be able to hide in Mobile.
OT La'el Collins, LSU (6-5, 315, 5.42)
LSU's starting left tackle the last two seasons, Collins will be an offensive tackle on some draft boards, but a guard on others so it will be interesting to see what position(s) he practices at during Senior Bowl drills. Although his tape isn't always pretty, he consistently gets the job done with finishing toughness that is second to none.
OG Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech (6-1, 305, 5.20)
Like offensive skill players in Baylor's offense, it's tough to properly evaluate offensive line play in the Yellow Jackets triple option offense. But Mason's balanced athleticism and mean streak routinely stood out at guard for Georgia Tech, making his transition to a pro-style scheme intriguing. Mason is currently flying under the radar, but I'll bet he's a “riser” after Mobile.