All Star games at the professional level are, for the most part, offensive exhibitions where the objective is not so much to win as not get hurt. Baseball is the one exception. Pitchers can control the game like no other, and there does seem to be more pride for each league to win the game. The Senior Bowl for college football players is not just a game but a working job interview. It is a chance to impress the pro scouts, and more importantly, the NFL coaches in charge of each team.
This year, I noticed some players whose stock looked to rise and fall with their play on the field. The highest rated player going into the game was Von Miller, the linebacker from Texas A&M, and he played that way in the game. He was all over the field, making one tackle after another and even playing special teams. He could very well end up like Rolando McClain going into the draft from last season. McClain was seen as mid first round pick, but he wound up going 8th overall to Oakland. He started from Day 1 and looks to be the anchor of the Raiders defense for years to come. Miller was slotted by some experts in the 10th to 15th range, but he could very well jump inot the top 10 if he impresses at the NFL Scouting Combine as well.
Ryan Kerrigan was nearly unstoppable at Purdue coming off the edge, and had many comparing him to Chris Long. I don't believe anyone has him going 2nd overall, but his play in the Senior Bowl looked very much like Brandon Graham in 2010. Similar style of play, with a non-stop motor. Graham dominated the 2010 Senior Bowl, and his stock went through the roof. Philadelphia traded up to take him with the 13th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Kerrigan could go that high as well.
There were questions about Leonard Hankerson and his speed on the outside. I do believe that the best scouts will see past that and find a receiver who will have a solid career in the NFL. You can have all the speed you want at the receiver position (Darrius Heyward-Bey), but there will always be a place for a big receiver who can run a good route, find his way to the ball, and catch it when it comes his way. Hankerson was seen as a middle round selection, but I can see him going late 2nd down to middle 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Nate Solder was seen as the best or second best offensive tackle going into the Senior Bowl, and he has all the physical tools. But I saw a raw talent who missed blocks and played a bit too stiff at left tackle. If he gets thrown in right away in the pros his confidence could take a hit right away. If he is getting beat in the Senior Bowl, what is going to happen against the elite pass rushers in the NFL?
Then there is Jake Locker. He was seen as a possible #1 Overall Pick if had had come out early for the 2010 NFL Draft. He decided to stay in school and it has been all downhill since. No one questions his athletic ability, but consistency and accuracy are seen as the strikes against his development as an elite pro quarterback. He did very little to change the minds of draft experts. Locker was seen by many as going as high as #10 to Washington, but I'm beginning to believe that he may not get picked in the first round at all. It could be argued that Colin Kaepernick from Nevada played a better Senior Bowl than Locker. With the Cincinnati Bengals coaching both players in the Senior Bowl, and not having the Carson Palmer situation settled as of yet, it would be interesting to see which one of the 2 quarterbacks the Bengals might take with the third pick of the 2nd Round. My guess would be Locker. There is too much talent to pass up.
The draft hopefuls now look forward to the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February in Indianapolis. With the Super Bowl a week away, draft season will soon be kicking into high gear. It looks to be a very deep draft once again, an dwith no clear cut #1 overall pick, it will be interesting to see just how many experts will be changing their mock drafts. We shall see.
No comments:
Post a Comment