Long ago... for about five seasons in a row, the Steelers drafted the “standout” player from the Senior Bowl. Antwaan Randle El being the one whom I remember most vividly.
In a similar vein, last year, the Steelers drafted the fastest player at the Senior Bowl (James Washington). Maybe they continue that trend this draft (and select Germain Pratt).
Regardless, thank you for the breakdown (and links).
Yup and I can recall seeing Vince Williams just destroy a pulling guard at the Senior Bowl. Cam Sutton locking down OJ Howard in the slot, Jaylen Samuels showing a bit of a bigger and slower Tashard Choice type running style, but great hands and route running in the pass game last years game.
I also saw Darius Leonard go sideline to sideline last season and tackle everything with a football, but we know what happened there. Seriously, Pratt isn't as fluid in change of direction as Leonard and likely because he has 20 Lbs more weight on him, but he can get to the edges in the run game, drop in coverage to take away TE seam passes in zone. I think he would be a bit raw, but still a guy that is behind Bostic and Williams on the depth chart, but gets his feet wet in sub packages and progresses as the season goes on.
Draft I would love to see:
Rd1 Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple
Rd2 Germaine Pratt ILB- NC State
RD3 Chase Winovich- OLB Michigan
Rd 4 Zach Gentry TE Michigan
Rd 6 Ty Johnson RB Maryland
Rd 6 Lanard Bonner G Arkansas St
Rd7 Olive Sagapolu DT Wisconsin
You are likely correct, but I think if he runs well at the combine and does the field drills well he could rise. I think he is going to show good fluidity as an athlete, but long speed is a question. JoJuan Williams from Vanderbilt is another guy that I think his 40 time is gonna be huge. Another big corner with size and plays close to the WR, but not sure if he has the vertical speed.
So, maybe if Devin Bush is there at #20, go with him and see if Ya-Sin or Williams is around in the 2nd round. Will be fun to see how it all shakes out.
I agree, I didn't seem him do anything fundamentally sound that got him to the ballcarrier in that entire game. He looks like a fluid athlete, but got lost in coverage on rub routes, took bad angles to the football and was out of position, missed tackles. I don't think I recall him making a single solo tackle on defense in that tape.
Yeah, I wonder if Keelan Doss will last until the 3rd round? He looked smooth in his route running and catching of the football at the Senior Bowl. A big body guy like him might be a great addition to the WR corps if AB is traded. Kind of a Keenan Allen type player.
I'm honestly going to be interested to see how Dionte Spencer shows in training camp. He was a late round pick of the Rams a few years ago from Alcorn St (I think). He ran a 4.27-40 at his pro day and jumped 40" vertical. He is only 5'8" 175lbs and was up in the CFL the past few seasons, but definitely has the speed to stretch the field.
KEELAN DOSS WR CAL-DAVIS 6’2/207
NFL radar has been on this smaller school player since the end of his 2017 season. He was one of the top dozen, or so, small-school prospects back when this past season began. After first accepting an invite to play at the Shrine venue, he accepted a “late” invite to join the Senior Bowl party. His first positive impression came at the weigh-in on Tuesday. He was a well proportioned physical specimen, with a solid height/weight combo. His 9″ hands were adequate, though not exciting to scouts, but his 33″ arms, combined with 6’2 height, indicated a large catch radius. I felt that he dropped a few too many balls during practice sessions, but also made some nice grabs. His speed and route running also looked above average, to my eyes. Come game day, he made his mark with 4 receptions for 55 yards, including a long catch/run of 21 yards. With his overall size, his speed/quickness numbers at the Combine will go a long way in determining how high he goes in the Draft. He’s got a shot at a Top 100 selection spot, IMO.
https://gbnreport.com/senior-bowl-reports/
UC Davis... nice!!!
I always root for the “lesser known” UC schools. And, not just because they have the best mascots: Tritons, Banana Slugs, Gauchos, Anteaters, Highlanders...