Senior Bowl: Prospects to watch at every position

The Senior Bowl is this week, one of the most important weeks of the NFL Draft process for many prospects. This is the seniors’ chance to make an impression on NFL teams working against the best of their class, as well as a chance to meet individually with teams.

There will be a mountain of info to comb through in the coming week, but here’s a quick primer of players to keep an eye on in the all-important practices this week.

Quarterbacks

C.J. Beathard (Iowa) - North Squad - Beathard was an under the radar name at the start of the season, and he remains so today. However, Iowa’s recent success can, in large part, be attributed to his steady improvement as a QB.

Davis Webb (Cal) - South Squad - Scouts and coaches absolutely rave about Webb’s leadership, and at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds with a strong arm, he looks like an NFL QB. This is his chance to show that he can transcend Texas Tech’s and Cal’s gimicky “Air Raid” offenses.

Offensive Linemen

Adam Bisnowaty (OT, Pittsburgh) - North Squad - Bisnowaty is a bit undersized (light) for an NFL tackle, but he plays with solid technique, footwork, and a mean streak.

Dan Feeney (OG, Indiana) - North Squad - Feeney is one of the top interior linemen in the draft. A stout run blocker who paved the way for Tevin Coleman and Jourdan Howard, Feeney plays nasty, but can also pass protect.

Antonio Garcia (OT, Troy) - South Squad - A potential riser from the Senior Bowl, like Bisnowaty, Garcia is a bit light, but he boasts extremely smooth footwork. [Prospect Profile]

Forrest Lamp (OG, Western Kentucky) - South Squad - A converted offensive tackle, Lamp is being talked about as the top interior lineman in the draft and a potential first-round pick.

Tight Ends

O.J. Howard (Alabama) - South Squad - Howard is the big name at tight end in the draft, however he wasn’t used much as a receiver at Alabama. He will need to show that he can do it this week.

Evan Engram (Ole Miss) - South Squad - One of the most dangerous receiving weapons in the draft, Engram is an athletic mismatch and a better blocker than you would think given his size, but he needs to show that he can do it in-line.

Gerald Everett (South Alabama) - South Squad - Everett is making waves after a pair of strong seasons at South Alabama. He is a talented and fluid receiving tight end, but he will need to show the physicality (especially as a blocker) to play the position in the NFL.

Wide Receiver

Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington) - North Squad - Kupp has scouts intrigued with his incredible production at Eastern Washington (428 receptions, 6,464 yards, 73 touchdowns in four years). They will want to see if he can keep producing against top level competition.

Travin Dural (LSU) - South Squad - Dural looks like a classic NFL deep threat at 6-3, 200 pounds. However, awful QB play and the presence of Leonard Fournette held back both he and Malachi Dupree. This is his chance to show what he’s capable of.

Running Back

Corey Clement (Wisconsin) - North Squad - Clement is a good sized, one-cut runner who wastes no time in getting north and south. He will need to prove that he can run outside of Wisconsin’s offense.

Donnel Pumphrey (San Diego State) - South Squad - At 5-9, 180 pounds, Pumphrey is the least likely interior runner you will ever see, but he is 180 pounds of grit, gristle, and determination. Don’t overlook him.

Defensive Linemen

Dawuane Smoot (DE, Illinois) - North Squad - A slightly undersized speed rusher, Smoot has a good first step and lateral agility, and also shows off nice discipline in run defense.

Jaleel Johnson (DT, Iowa) - North Squad - Probably the best defensive linemen nobody is talking about, Johnson combines prototypical size, length, power, and athleticism to play any defensive tackle technique

Tanoh Kpassagnon (DE, Villanova) - South Squad - Big, long, and with the first step of a track star, Kpassagnon is still learning how to use all his tools, but he is someone the Giants will likely be watching keenly.

Dalvin Tomlinson (DT, Alabama) - South Squad - Alabama’s defense is rife with future NFL players, so any chance to see them individually is valuable. Tomlinson was the rock in the middle of their defense, but how will he look on his own?

Linebacker

Hasaan Reddick (Temple) - North Squad - Reddick was an explosive, if very undersized, edge rusher for Temple. He’s being moved inside for the Senior Bowl. It will be interesting to see how the experiment works out.

Ben Boulware (Clemson) - South Squad - One of the leaders of the Clemson defense, Boulware isn’t renowned for his athleticism, but is always around the ball. His work in practice could go a long way towards boosting his draft stock.

Defensive Back

Desmond King (Iowa) - North Squad - Not the type of athlete scouts usually drool over, but King is as physical, smart, savvy, and technically sound cover corner as you are likely to find.

Tre’Davious White (LSU) - South Squad - LSU has a history of producing top-notch defensive backs. Safety Jamal Adams might be a top-10 pick in the draft, but what about his backfield-mate?