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One of the biggest events of the draft process is under way. That is the Senior Bowl, and specifically the 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Scouts, coaches, and general managers from around the league descend on Mobile Alabama for the week of practices between the top senior draft prospects in the nation. With just one more game of NFL football to be played, Senior Bowl week is when the off-season and draft process truly start to ramp up into high gear. In fact, the New York Giants have already cropped up in the rumor mill — both in connection to quarterbacks and with other positions.
It is a busy week, full of intrigue and insights, and we will do our best to keep you up to date on what is going on.
News, notes, and rumors
The Giants are interested in quarterbacks
“There are a number of quarterback-needy teams with top-16 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, and in speaking to some sources, here are some early feelings of interest that I’ve heard about. Barring a trade, the Giants are the first team that could pull the trigger on a quarterback. I’ve heard from sources that New York likes Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, Duke’s Daniel Jones, and Murray. Staying in the NFC East, I’ve heard the Redskins like Jones but think he won’t get to their pick at No. 16; they expect him to be a top-10 selection. My good friend Cecil Lammey has reported on his radio show that the Broncos like Missouri quarterback Drew Lock. Lammey accurately predicted the Broncos would take Bradley Chubb last year and Garett Bolles the previous year, so to say that Lammey is tied into the Broncos is a massive understatement. Of course a lot can and will change in the leadup to the draft, but right now, those are some of the quarterback crushes I have heard about.”
- via Charlie Campbell (WalterFootball - Monday Rumor Mill)
Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew came in third in Mark Schofield’s preliminary Senior Bowl quarterback rankings, and is an intriguing passer. He also had one of the most intriguing weigh-ins of Tuesday morning:
QB Gardner Minshew, Washington State: Minshew is a smaller passer in height, he measured just short of 6-foot-1. But he weighed in over 220 pounds and touted a dense lower half, suggesting he’s sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear of getting hit repeatedly. Oh, and he had the largest hands (10.25″) of any QB in attendance.
Folks asked in my Prospect Profile of Andre Dillard what I meant by “tools.” By those I mean the physical tools that could let him play the offensive tackle position at the NFL level. Whether or not he can develop the complete set of skills to hang at the next level remains to be seen, but he has the tools:
The rumblings of Dillard as a potential first-rounder have been bubbling up for a few weeks. It’s not hard to see why he’s got fans after seeing Dillard at the weigh-in. He’s lean, long and meets every desired threshold for an NFL offensive tackle (most specifically his 34″ arms).
- via The Draft Network (Weigh-in observations)
Practice bits and notes
We always watch who teams show special interest in, and Louisiana Tech EDGE Jaylon Ferguson said that the Giants talked to him last night.
Full list of players the Giants have shown an interest in, via WalterFootball.com
Paul Adams, OT, Missouri
Jordan Brailford, DE, Oklahoma State
Malik Carney, OLB, North Carolina
Taylor Cornelius, QB, Oklahoma State (
Ryan Davis, WR, Auburn
Oshea Dugas, G, Louisiana Tech
Darrin Hall, RB, Pittsburgh
Tyree St. Louis, OT, Miami [Prospect Profile]
Derick Roberson, DE, Sam Houston State
Olisaemeka Udoh, G, Elon
Armon Watts, DE, Arkansas
Daniel Wise, DT, Kansas [Prospect Profile]
Terry Wright, WR, Purdue
Best players I saw in Tuesday’s South practice at the #SeniorBowl
— Rob Rang (@RobRang) January 22, 2019
Mississippi State edge Montez Sweat
Wyoming edge Carl Granderson
Washington State LT Andre Dillard
Houston CB Isaiah Johnson
Oklahoma OG Dru Samia
LSU TE Foster Moreau
Top performers I saw at Tuesday's North practice at the #SeniorBowl
— Rob Rang (@RobRang) January 23, 2019
Duke QB Daniel Jones
Missouri QB Drew Lock
Washington OT Kaleb McGary
Northern Illinois OT Max Scharping
Texas DL Charles Omenihu
Delaware DB Nasir Adderley
Iowa DL Anthony Nelson
Boston College TE Tommy Sweeney
Some sights from practice
We have already spent quite a bit of time looking at offensive line prospects. One we haven’t gotten to yet, but will in due time, is Kansas State right tackle Dalton Risner. He certainly has the right attitude.
Dalton Risner is awesome. Asked him which position up-front he’s most comfortable playing and what he needs to improve upon most this week. pic.twitter.com/DqxEJc2Hkd
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) January 22, 2019
And since we know the Giants are talking to EDGE players, they might want to schedule some time with Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat.
Oh Montez is *strong* strong pic.twitter.com/fHywgGKCkC
— The Draft Network (@DraftNetworkLLC) January 22, 2019
On the flip side, Oli Udoh of Elon made waves with his weigh-ins at the East-West Shrine Game and again at the Senior Bowl. Udoh measured in Tuesday morning at 6-foot 5 3⁄4 , 327 pounds, with 36 inch (!) arms and 10 inch hands. Dave Gettleman loves big, long, strong linemen, so Udoh should be on Gettleman’s radar.
Two very solid reps for #Elon Oli Udoh against #ODU Edge Oshane Ximines pic.twitter.com/3vvZBt2sGZ
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) January 22, 2019
If you listen to the Big Blue Big Board podcast (and why wouldn’t you?), Dan Pizzuta named UMass receiver Andy Isabella one of the guys he was looking forward to watching this week.
Lo and behold, Isabella is already making waves.
Andy Isabella’s quickness and precise route running are as good as advertised. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/WXN1aczXL0
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) January 22, 2019
Also, going back a few weeks, I pointed out Kentucky safety Mike Edwards as a player who caught my eye while watching EDGE Josh Allen. He is making plays in Mobile.
Kentucky's Mike Edwards breaks up this pass intended for Hunter Renfrow here at the Senior Bowl. pic.twitter.com/Hakqqshl5H
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 22, 2019
And to end on a (not so) light note... Does anyone know how the Giants’ new administration feels about players who do backflips?
Khalen Saunders is a pretty impressive 300 pounder. pic.twitter.com/mz8P6gZSp5
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 22, 2019