Senior Bowl Preview -- The Offense
Tony Pauline
Draft Analyst Writer
There’s no rest for the weary after a week of two-a-day practices in St. Petersburg for the Shrine Game as the scouting community travels to Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl. Considered by some the most important week of scouting leading up to the draft, full scouting staffs from each of the league’s 32 teams will be on hand as well coaching staffs and front office personnel from all but the two teams preparing for the Super Bowl. Tony Pauline -- who has attended every Senior Bowl practice since 2000 -- and Chris Tripodi will be on hand to break down every single player for every single practice as well as bring readers of Draft Analyst all the breaking news.
Today we’ll start with a preview of the rosters on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterbacks
The three days of practice could well dictate the early part of the draft.
Josh Allen of Wyoming hopes to redeem himself after a poor season. Physically the most gifted passer in the draft, Allen’s pocket discipline and often-erratic accuracy will be closely monitored. So too will his leadership skills.
The Senior Bowl is a king-maker, and no more so than at the quarterback position. To say this will be a huge week for Allen is an understatement.
The week is just as huge for Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.
The Heisman Trophy winner benefited from a wide-open, limited-read offense with the Sooners but now must prove he’s comfortable and confident running an NFL offense. This means taking snaps under center and dropping into the pocket as well as lining up with a fullback behind him and a tight end lined up tight.
Luke Falk, Tanner Lee and fast-rising Kurt Benkert would all benefit from a big week.
Running Backs
Last January, Donnel Pumphrey benefited from a good showing at the Senior Bowl. This year, his former teammate Rashaad Penny hopes to do the same.
Penny is considered a much better NFL prospect, and the San Diego State senior ran roughshod over opponents last season. He needs to display perimeter quickness and solid pass-catching hands to jump into the draft’s second day.
If there’s an enigma at the running back position, it would be Kalen Ballage.
The Arizona State product is a physical beast but rarely plays to his ability. He’s been labeled as an underachiever on the college level and will have tons of questions thrown at him during Senior Bowl interviews.
Tight Ends/Wide Receivers
I am very excited to watch the crop of tight ends practice at the Senior Bowl.
South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert has been a complete player at the position over the past two years but must now take his game to another level. He’s a tremendous pass catcher who also gets the job done as a blocker. Goedert presently grades as a second-day prospect on our board, but there is a possibility he slides into the late-first round with a good week.
The Big Ten is well represented at the position with Michael Gesicki of Penn State, Troy Fumagalli of Wisconsin and Indiana’s Ian Thomas.
Speed, quickness and the ability to outpace linebackers are critical for Gesicki and Fumagalli, both of whom are terrific pass catchers who easily win out for contested throws.
Thomas was not rated by scouts entering the season but now grades as a potential last-day selection. The Hoosier plays the tight end position like a receiver and has a great amount of upside.
Offensive Line
There’s been some late shuffling on the offensive line on the Senior Bowl roster, but there are a number of intriguing prospects.
I grade Mason Cole of Michigan as one of the top center prospects in the draft based on his play at the position early in his Wolverine career. Cole is listed at the center spot for the Senior Bowl, so we’ll be eager to see him back at the position.
Isaiah Wynn was graded as a lowly street free agent by scouts entering the season despite long-term success as a starter on the Georgia offensive line. After a brilliant senior campaign, Wynn now grades as a potential second-day pick. We grade Wynn at guard, not the left tackle position he played for the Bulldogs in 2017.
Should he line up the on the blind side during practice and do a good job, Wynn’s stock will soar.
I like both small-school prospects on the offensive line.
Brandon Parker of North Carolina A&T is a big, athletic blocker who has been incredibly impressive over the past two seasons. He’s a terrific pass protector who is also effective blocking in motion.
Humboldt State’s Alex Cappa is a strong, nasty lineman who dominated the lower level of competition he played at. He’s a terrific prospect who could line up at right tackle or guard.