by Bob Gaughan, Buffalo Sports Page
The Senior Bowl was played Saturday in Mobile, AL. It signals the start of the NFL Draft season. While it’s just one evaluation tool, the game continues to pick up significance in team’s evaluation process. So who shined? Who struggled?
UB Prospects
It was a good week for UB’s three prospects Tyree Jackson, Anthony Johnson and Khalil Hodge. All three held their own. In terms of Jackson I though he showed his great upside compared to some of the other QB prospects. His flashes of brilliance outweighed some of his accuracy issues. In the game his bomb to Gary Jennings on his first play showed off his arm strength that no one else had in Mobile. I think he was helped by the poor play of other QB’s.
Johnson was a little banged up as the week went on. What is going to make or break Johnson is how fast he runs at the combine. If Johnson puts up a fast time in Indy then he could be back as one of the top receivers.
At this point I’ve seen a couple of mock drafts and all three Bulls players were Day 2 prospects. Things can change between now and the draft but at this point you could see all three Bulls going late second or third round.
Winners
QB Drew Lock Missouri: I believe he comes out of Mobile as a first round pick. He showed maturity in interviews, arm strength and poise on the field. His accuracy and placement in drills during the week was spot on.
RB Dexter Williams- Notre Dame: Williams was by far the best RB at Mobile. It wasn’t even close. His quick burst in the holes was impressive. He showed some nice hands as well.
Deebo Samuel WR South Carolina: He had the best week as a WR. He showed he was a good route runner and he caught everything thrown his way.
Penny Hart WR Georgia State: Teams are looking for the next Tyreek Hill. A small speedster that is so elusive and can stretch the defense. He turned Delaware’s Nasir Adderley inside out in one of the drills.
Dalton Risner Kansas State: Risner finished off a great week with a great game against Montez Sweat of Mississippi State. Questions will be asked if he’s a better guard than tackle. Either way he’s a great football player that you want on your team.
DT Daylon Mack Texas A&M: Mack had a great week at the East-West Shrine practice and that got him the invite to the Senior Bowl. He followed it up with another solid week of practice. Only 6’1 he showed great quickness in one on one drills.
Losers
Trace McSorley: QB Penn State-McSorley was a great college player but it stops there. He doesn’t have the body to be an NFL QB. His lack of height and poor accuracy can’t make up for all of his great intangibles.
Will Grier- West Virginia QB: He is my most disappointing player. I thought he might have a good week. It just wasn’t there. Grier’s draft stock is tumbling after poor practices and a bad performance in the game.
Kris Boyd- Texas CB: Boyd had a poor week of practice and then followed it up with a ton on penalties in the game. This followed up a poor season in which scouts were disappointed in his performance.
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