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January 15, 2017 | Tony Pauline
2017 Shrine Practice Preview: Offense
Tony Pauline
Draft Analyst Writer
Practices for the 2017 Shrine Game get underway tomorrow in St Petersburg, Florida and as in year’s past we’ll have it covered all week. Here’s a breakdown on some of the better stories and prospects we’ll be watching on offense.
Quarterbacks
Entering the season, Central Michigan's Cooper Rush was graded as a potential second-day pick by NFL scouts, something I criticized as unjustified. Rush lacks an NFL arm and is often late making decisions. Most expected him to participate in the Senior Bowl at the start of the season; hence the Shrine Game is an opportunity for Rush to right his ship.
Gunner Kiel is another signal caller who entered the season with reasonably high grades from scouts, but was never able to win back the starting job at Cincinnati. Kiel has the physical skills Rush lacks but comes with personality questions. The interview process throughout the week will be critical for him.
In contrast, Ivy League quarterback Alek Torgersen was ignored by scouts and not graded entering 2016. The big-armed passer now has a major opportunity ahead of him. The Penn product must throw with accuracy all three days of practice and show the ability to quickly adapt to new receivers that will be strangers to him.
Running Backs
Michigan's De'Veon Smith was graded as a potential top-45 choice entering the season, a grade which was not warranted. The Michigan senior is a solid ball carrier who does the little things well but really doesn’t stand out in any single area. Smith must display he has the ability to be more than a downhill, between-the-tackles ball carrier for all three days of practice.
Elijah McGuire receives a variety of opinions in the scouting community, with some believing he’s a potential second-day choice. I like his versatility and feel he’s a solid third-down back for the next level. His pass-catching skills during practice will go a long way in determining where McGuire ends up in the draft.
Tight Ends/Wide Receivers
If you’re not familiar with Eric Saubert, you soon will be. He’s a large, athletic tight end from Drake that does a terrific job catching the ball in every area of the field. Saubert has timed in the 4.7 area in the forty but plays faster. His blocking against the better level of competition he’ll face during drills and scrimmages is of utmost importance.
Conversely Toledo's Michael Roberts plays like an offensive tackle at the tight end position and dominates opponents blocking on the line of scrimmage. His pass-catching skills are solid, but his speed is a big question. The ability to run the seam and beat linebackers downfield will only help Roberts’ draft stock.
Billy Brown, the Week Ten Riser from Shepherd, is an interesting prospect as he’s a massive receiver who dominated opponents on the small-school level. We grade Brown as a tight end, and it will be interesting to see if he receives any reps at the position next week.
DeAngelo Yancey, another week ten riser, was one of the few bright lights during Purdue’s dismal season. He had several banner games and played dominant football at times. I’ll be looking for consistency and a little speed from Yancey starting on Monday.
Offensive Line
For three years now I’ve graded Erik Magnuson as a draftable selection, so I was surprised when scouts ignored him entering the season. Magnuson is tough, powerful and very efficient, getting the most from his ability. I doubt he’s a left tackle for the next level, but any amount of footwork and lateral blocking range he shows during Shrine practice, especially in one-on-one drills, will boost the former Wolverine's draft stock.
Daniel Skipper has had a bit of an up-and-down career. I thought he played better in 2015 than last season. Like Magnuson, he must show some sort of mobility and ability off the edge to enhance his draft grade.
2017 Shrine Practice Preview: Offense
Tony Pauline
Draft Analyst Writer
Practices for the 2017 Shrine Game get underway tomorrow in St Petersburg, Florida and as in year’s past we’ll have it covered all week. Here’s a breakdown on some of the better stories and prospects we’ll be watching on offense.
Quarterbacks
Entering the season, Central Michigan's Cooper Rush was graded as a potential second-day pick by NFL scouts, something I criticized as unjustified. Rush lacks an NFL arm and is often late making decisions. Most expected him to participate in the Senior Bowl at the start of the season; hence the Shrine Game is an opportunity for Rush to right his ship.
Gunner Kiel is another signal caller who entered the season with reasonably high grades from scouts, but was never able to win back the starting job at Cincinnati. Kiel has the physical skills Rush lacks but comes with personality questions. The interview process throughout the week will be critical for him.
In contrast, Ivy League quarterback Alek Torgersen was ignored by scouts and not graded entering 2016. The big-armed passer now has a major opportunity ahead of him. The Penn product must throw with accuracy all three days of practice and show the ability to quickly adapt to new receivers that will be strangers to him.
Running Backs
Michigan's De'Veon Smith was graded as a potential top-45 choice entering the season, a grade which was not warranted. The Michigan senior is a solid ball carrier who does the little things well but really doesn’t stand out in any single area. Smith must display he has the ability to be more than a downhill, between-the-tackles ball carrier for all three days of practice.
Elijah McGuire receives a variety of opinions in the scouting community, with some believing he’s a potential second-day choice. I like his versatility and feel he’s a solid third-down back for the next level. His pass-catching skills during practice will go a long way in determining where McGuire ends up in the draft.
Tight Ends/Wide Receivers
If you’re not familiar with Eric Saubert, you soon will be. He’s a large, athletic tight end from Drake that does a terrific job catching the ball in every area of the field. Saubert has timed in the 4.7 area in the forty but plays faster. His blocking against the better level of competition he’ll face during drills and scrimmages is of utmost importance.
Conversely Toledo's Michael Roberts plays like an offensive tackle at the tight end position and dominates opponents blocking on the line of scrimmage. His pass-catching skills are solid, but his speed is a big question. The ability to run the seam and beat linebackers downfield will only help Roberts’ draft stock.
Billy Brown, the Week Ten Riser from Shepherd, is an interesting prospect as he’s a massive receiver who dominated opponents on the small-school level. We grade Brown as a tight end, and it will be interesting to see if he receives any reps at the position next week.
DeAngelo Yancey, another week ten riser, was one of the few bright lights during Purdue’s dismal season. He had several banner games and played dominant football at times. I’ll be looking for consistency and a little speed from Yancey starting on Monday.
Offensive Line
For three years now I’ve graded Erik Magnuson as a draftable selection, so I was surprised when scouts ignored him entering the season. Magnuson is tough, powerful and very efficient, getting the most from his ability. I doubt he’s a left tackle for the next level, but any amount of footwork and lateral blocking range he shows during Shrine practice, especially in one-on-one drills, will boost the former Wolverine's draft stock.
Daniel Skipper has had a bit of an up-and-down career. I thought he played better in 2015 than last season. Like Magnuson, he must show some sort of mobility and ability off the edge to enhance his draft grade.
