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Do any of you college football junkies have some names to watch for the Senior Bowl?

(Note: Wasn't sure if this should go here or Tailgate...especially now that the season is over and we are talking about next season.)

You do realize that's what he's asking, right? Players he may actually wish to follow in the Senior Bowl the Browns may be targeting.

Lions
Senior Bowl Day 1 observations: Towering Ohio State OL dominates, QBs underwhelm
Updated: Feb. 01, 2023, 8:13 a.m.|Published: Jan. 31, 2023, 7:14 p.m.




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By Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com



MOBILE, Ala. -- Dawand Jones has been the talk of the week through the first few days at the 2023 Senior Bowl.

Jones opened the week by measuring 6-foot-8, 360 pounds with the longest wingspan recorded in the Senior Bowl’s 74-year history at 89.5 inches. And that size and length powered him through an impressive first practice with coaches, scouts and executives from around the league in attendance. At the same time, the first day of practices wasn’t fully padded and was walkthrough-heavy. Still, the former Ohio State standout offensive tackle was impossible to miss as the largest human on the field, not letting anyone best him on Tuesday afternoon.


He had bright moments in those meaty one-on-one reps against defensive linemen, including against some of the more intriguing names in Mobile. Jones got the better of Army edge rusher Andre Carter, not to mention Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey. Carter didn’t stand much of a chance, with Jones sending him back in a hurry and not taking his foot off the gas. Foskey couldn’t get around the big man, with Jones ending the drill by putting Notre Dame’s all-time sack leader into the turf.

And there wasn’t much offense vs. defense work for either the American or National teams on Tuesday. Jones still took care of business, flashing his mighty hands and footwork against Oregon’s DJ Johnson in one of those dropback looks. Jones also helped spring Texas running back Roschon Johnson for a couple of big gains, with no defender able to move the Buckeye.


Pro Football Focus ranked Jones 10th among offensive tackles in this year’s draft class. The analytics site had him allowing only 15 pressures over two seasons starting in Columbus. If Jones keeps looking like this, arrow up on his stock ahead of the scouting combine.



See below for more observations and takeaways from the walkthrough-heavy first day of practices in Mobile:

-- There isn’t much to speak of regarding the quarterbacks after the first day. And while that’s understandable, with the group throwing to receivers they met just in the last couple of days, it was still underwhelming. Fresno State’s Jake Haener bobbled his first snap, then lost control of two others through the first 15 minutes. It was reminiscent of Desmond Ridder’s showing on the first day of practices last year. Haener eventually settled in, flashing that short to medium accuracy that propelled him to a successful college career. He probably had one of the better throws of the day, too. Haener put a tight-window ball up for BYU receiver Puka Nacua along the sideline. It was an impressive catch, no doubt, but the quarterback dropped that one in the bucket safely away from the defender. Haener turned that brutal start into a pretty solid day. He was crisp in team drills and one-on-ones, settling into a groove with his teammates for the week. BYU’s Jaren Hall had his fair share of overthrows and even lost the ball uncontested when dropping back in team drills. It was a day to forget for the speedy playmaker. Those two handled the National team reps, with Louisville’s Malik Cunningham dealing with an apparent stomach bug. Per Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy, Cunningham is expected back on Day 2.


And there wasn’t much to report back from the American team practice, with an even heavier walkthrough focus. The music and atmosphere were turned down to end the day, too. With an up-and-down day, TCU’s Max Duggan flashed on a throw out of the pocket, throwing an interception over the middle. though Shepherd’s Tyson Bagent was shaky. He and Houston’s Clayton Tune seemed to struggle, failing to get that chemistry with the pass-catchers clicking. There wasn’t much of anything worth noting in the deep or intermediate passing game outside of Haener’s toss.

-- Illinois running back Chase Brown will look to recover after a challenging first session. Brown failed to secure a swing pass all alone in the backfield. He got toasted in a pass-blocking drill, too, losing a fumble while trying to make a spin move. Brown is an intriguing prospect after posting 1,643 yards and 10 scores on a whopping 328 carries. On the flip side, Tulane’s Tyjae Spears had an impressive catch-and-run on a screen, hitting another level to break away from defenders.

-- Coastal Carolina interior defender Jerrod Clark flashed a couple of times in the early session. Clark didn’t dominate any of his one-on-one opportunities. But the big man flashed some athleticism and awareness. He got a hand up to knock away a pass at the line and caught two of his own strips before the ball hit the turf in a forced-fumble drill. The 6-foot-4, 345-pounder had 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season. If Clark can flash a little more in those one-on-one chances, track his name through the rest of this draft cycle around these parts.

-- Alabama tight end Cameron Latu ended the day with an impressive move at the line of scrimmage. Latu sold the block, then made a nice cut to the outside, getting wide open for the long catch-and-run. He’s one of the names to watch at tight end. Purdue’s Payne Durham is another one of those guys to track, looking strong in blocking scenarios but not getting many chances in the passing game on Day 1.

-- Tennessee defensive lineman Byron Young flashed serious juice rushing the passer during the second practice. He flew around Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Steen in one rep and was a handful anytime he was on the field. Young had 23.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks through two seasons for the Volunteers. Steen bounced back and handled another fast-spin attempt, this time from Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV. Other highlights from the trench drills in the American team session include Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron handling Young’s spin better than anyone. And Steen recovering after taking that early loss, also not budging against LSU’s Ali Gaye’s pass-rush attempt.



https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/02...hio-state-ol-dawand-jones-dominates.html

I'll post the text, but it's best to check out the link so you can see the short videos.


Reese's Senior Bowl notes and standouts from day-one


Cory Kinnan
February 1, 2023 10:24 am ET

Day one of Reese’s Senior Bowl practices came to a close on Tuesday in Mobile, Alabama. While overall the talent is not as high-powered as years past (especially at the quarterback position), there are plenty of 2023 NFL Draft prospects that should have the eyes of the Cleveland Browns.

There is a good deal of talent in the defensive trenches, where the Browns have a massive need as they transition the defense into the hands of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. There are a couple of wide receivers of note they could be interested in as well.


What stood out as these two squads took to the practice field for the first day of the all-star festivities?




In-state talents standout
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl


The pre-draft rise is underway for Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones, who measured in with the largest wingspan in Senior Bowl history. He also came in at a massive 6-foot-8 and 375 pounds and displayed (as his tape does) an immense amount of foot speed and movement ability at that size.

If he goes to the NFL Scouting Combine and tests well at his gargantuan stature, Jones may just go in the top 32 by the time it is all said and done. He looks like the best player in Mobile through one practice.


He was not the only in-state prospect to stand out on Tuesday, however, as Bowling Green State University Falcon Karl Brooks proved that he could dominate top talent after wrecking the MAC all season. With fast and active hands, Brooks routinely cooked blockers in pass-rushing 1-on-1s.


Look for Brooks to continue to get after it the rest of the week.


DT Keeanu Benton continues to look like a prospect worthy of a day-two pick
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl
Browns 2023 NFL Draft target Keeanu Benton. Mjs Uwgrid31 2 Jpg Uwgrid31

As the season went on, the tape of Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton got better. And that has continued into the Senior Bowl as Benton was unblockable in 1-on-1s. He has almost 34-inch arms, a low center of gravity, and knows how to create leverage to gap out blockers in the run game as well.

There is a reason he has been mocked in the top 50 by names like The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. Benton is incredibly light and agile for his size and has put his skills on full display through a day at the Senior Bowl. He should be high on the Browns’ draft board.



Could the Browns be high on Rashee Rice in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl
Browns 2023 NFL Draft target Rashee Rice. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

One standout from yesterday’s practice was Southern Methodist wide receiver Rashee Rice, who entered the week as perhaps the best wide receiver in Mobile. He lived up to the hype on Tuesday as he routinely won deep down the field in 1-on-1s and team drills.

There is a reason to believe he will be high on the Browns’ draft board. He is ultra-productive as he enters the 2023 NFL Draft, is going to test off the charts, and slides under their age guardrail. If the Browns go to the wide receiver position, look for Rice to be high on their boards, up there with the likes of Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott, Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, and North Carolina’s Josh Downs.


Both Tulane draft hopefuls prove worthy
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl
Browns 2023 NFL Draft target Dorian Williams. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

There are two prospects from Tulane that the Browns should have significant interest in, and they both showed out at the Senior Bowl. Linebacker Dorian Williams is a tremendous player that should be in their range around the 100th pick in the draft, and running back Tyjae Spears could be a player they add to be a threat as a receiver out of the backfield to replace Kareem Hunt.

Williams showed the ability to carry backs to the flat and even mirrored a receiver deep down the field on an out-and-up. Eyes will be on him to see how he impacts practices as a run defender in full team drills the rest of the week.


Spears looks like a twitchy mover out of the backfield and mirrors his tape as can freeze linebackers with his routes. They have carried over the momentum of upsetting USC in their bowl game to a good start to their Senior Bowl campaigns. Keep a close eye on these Green Wave candidates as they could be on the rise by the time the 2023 NFL Draft rolls around.



BYU OT Blake Freeland struggles
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl
Browns 2023 NFL Draft target Blake Freeland. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The athleticism of BYU left tackle Blake Freeland cannot be understated. He is a legendary track and field athlete in Utah, was recruited as a tight end, and has looked good throughout his career with the Cougars. However, he looked lost and overmatched during the opening day of practice in Mobile.

His eyes hit the turf as he looked to initiate contact, got his eyes to the wrong spot in full team sessions, and overset quite a bit in 1-on-1s. He is going to test off the charts, which will help him rebuild a bit of his stock, but he has some work to do to rebuild himself after a rough, rough first day.



Small WRs dominate 1-on-1s... as they should
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl
Browns 2023 NFL Draft target Nathaniel Dell. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

This is the time of year when we overreact to smaller, twitchier receivers who can win 1-on-1s. They are supposed to as those drills cater to their skill set. We have seen teams overdraft the likes of Andy Isabella, Dee Eskridge, Calvin Austin, and more because of this.

Yes, we can appreciate what guys like Michigan State’s Jayden Reed and Houston’s Tank Dell did in 1-on-1s yesterday while realizing they should be able to do this against defensive backs (and safeties in a lot of cases) in off-man coverage playing in outside leverage.

These guys are not going to see a lot of press-man this week, are guys who are going to have to be stacked at the line of scrimmage at the next level to avoid obstructions off the snap. Take their 1-on-1 wins with a grain of salt.


Wanting more out of the edge rushers
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl
Browns 2023 NFL Draft target Isaiah Foskey. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

There are some high-profile pass rushers at the Senior Bowl, including Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey, Army’s Andre Carter, and Auburn’s Derick Hall. However, there is a desire to see more out of all of them as the festivities continue throughout the week.


Carter stood out as a wide pass rusher but got buried in run-game drills. Foskey did not show a consistent plan of attack as a pass rusher (much like his 2022 tape) and does not look like a guy garnering the hype he continues to get. Hall is long and powerful. That was on full display in run-game drills, but there is a desire to see him be more impactful as a pass rusher over these next two practices.


It is a shame that names like Ohio State’s Zach Harrison and Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson withdrew, but there is still a good amount of talent to watch at defensive end.


The best of the rest
Browns 2023 NFL Draft Senior Bowl
Browns 2023 NFL Draft target Byron Young (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

It is no secret that I am a fan of Alabama defensive tackle Byron Young. While he did not pop to the level of a Benton in this interior class, most of his reps were going against the best interior offensive lineman in Mobile in Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence. Overall, he still flashed active hands and a relentless leg drive. There is hope to see him take it up a notch today.


Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson looked explosive and sudden getting out of his breaks in 1-on-1s. While his production was low during his five-year career, that may be a product of the system. I am intrigued.


Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu stood out as well. Getting a call-up after dominating at the NFLPA Bowl, Mapu looked like he belonged in Mobile as well. He is undersized and may have to find a home as a dime backer, but he is earning himself some money.



https://brownswire.usatoday.com/lis...medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Another cool thing about the Senior Bowl is that all the players are available to meet/interview with individual teams.

One thing I think many overlook about the Senior Bowl that I find very valuable is that these players have never worked with these coaches before. They have never played with their teammates before. They are going into this blind. And while I do understand that these coaches don't try to employ anything complicated, I think it's a great thing to know who excels at adapting to such conditions. I think it helps give a glimpse into who the most coachable players are. Because when they're asked to step up at the next level, they have to be able to adapt and learn quickly.

2023 Senior Bowl Day 2 standouts: NFL draft buzz for WR Nathaniel 'Tank' Dell, LB Daiyan Henley

Published: Feb 01, 2023 at 08:05 PM
Lance_Zierlein_1400x1000
Edholm_Eric_1400x1000
by Lance Zierlein & Eric Edholm



MOBILE, Ala. -- With Reese's Senior Bowl practices in full swing on Wednesday, 100-plus prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft are in the midst of a crucial job interview. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein and Eric Edholm provide a look at standouts from Day 2, as well as news and notes from the day's events.

Tune in for live coverage of Senior Bowl practice Thursday beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET on NFL+, and don't miss exclusive coverage Saturday of the Senior Bowl game at 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.


Five stars from Day 2 of Senior Bowl practice

Nathaniel "Tank" Dell, WR, Houston
Dell checked in at 5-foot-8, 163 pounds earlier this week at the Senior Bowl. NFL teams tend to be cautious when it comes to drafting players who are that small, especially before Day 3 (Rounds 4-7). However, it makes defenders nervous to see players with Dell's speed and separation ability lining up across from them on Sundays. As was the case during the 2022 college football season, Dell has basically been unstoppable in one-on-one matchups and has clearly created buzz with scouts I've spoken with in Mobile.


Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Henley has already forced a grade change from yours truly with his play in the first two days of practice, and NFL scouts might be making similar adjustments. He moves around the field with an alpha demeanor, but his ability to match up with running backs in coverage really stood out. The wideout-turned-linebacker showed off his lateral twitch and ball skills to hound the route and squeeze the catch point. The ability to play well on all three downs is a huge advantage for linebackers on draft day, and Henley showed off that ability on Wednesday.

Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Moss has to prove he can stay healthy, which isn't something he can do in one week's time at the Senior Bowl, but he is an underrated cornerback prospect who has been steady in every drill and scrimmage session. He has good size (6-0, 192 pounds) and above-average instincts, and can play a variety of coverages, as we've seen here in Mobile. There might be some teams who are interested in transitioning him to safety, but he is proving that cornerback is his position and he is opening some eyes this week.

Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Reed saw a large share of contested catches during his career at Michigan State, but he developed the ball skills and instincts to overcome those issues. In Wednesday's practice (and Tuesday's, too) he stood out with his ability to track deep balls and make challenging catches near the boundary. He's a utility wideout who can play multiple receiver positions. Reed has helped himself this week.

O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
Torrence is standing out as a run blocker and in pass protection through the first two days of practice. He's a massive man (6-5, 337 pounds) with excellent core strength. Bull rushers have learned they won't have much luck attacking him down the middle. He's struggled some with zone blocks, but he's built for downhill, power-based running attacks and has shown out in individual drills and the scrimmage phase of practice.


-- Lance Zierlein


Five Senior Bowl takeaways from Wednesday

1) Multiple new positions for top-50 prospect.

NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah views North Dakota State's Cody Mauch as a top-50 prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class. His move to the next level might include a position change, though.

Mauch almost exclusively played left tackle for the Bison but has been moved inside this week at the Senior Bowl -- at two different spots. In Tuesday's opening practice, Mauch was working predominantly at left guard. On Wednesday, Mauch also took snaps at center. Either spot could be Mauch's new home in the NFL.

"I definitely can see myself there (at guard)," Mauch said. "I thought it was actually, you know, an alright day, especially for my first time doing guard, and obviously, (there is) stuff to work out. So I'm excited about the start and now just to see how we can finish it."

Mauch added that "a lot of teams like me at guard, and I'm even getting a lot of talk about center." His performance Wednesday was a tick better overall from what Mauch did the day prior, showing that he can improve quickly following the move inside.


2) Two injuries for National team.

Two key players for the National team missed Wednesday's practice after impressing on Tuesday.

Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones -- the largest player at the Senior Bowl (6-8, 375 pounds) -- was feeling under the weather and his status for the rest of the week is to be determined, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported during live coverage of Wednesday's practice on NFL+.

Texas running back Roschon Johnson suffered a broken bone in his hand early in Tuesday's practice, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Johnson was able to play through the injury on the first day but did not practice on Wednesday. Rapoport reported that Johnson "likely won't be able to participate the rest of the week."

3) Stanford's Kyu Blu Kelly makes statement on Wednesday.

One of the standout players for the National team on Wednesday was Kelly, a 6-foot, 193-pound cornerback and the son of former Buccaneers CB Brian Kelly, who played for Tampa Bay from 1998 to 2007.

The Cardinal's Kelly was everywhere in team drills, breaking up at least three passes and also intercepting a pass -- even stealing it away from the grasp of his former Stanford teammate, receiver Elijah Higgins -- and running it back for what would have been a pick-six.

"I just went in there and ripped it out," Kelly said. "When I get a chance, I will make a play."


It was a huge play for a prospect with only three career interceptions whom opposing teams often avoided throwing at this past season.

"Twenty-five," Kelly said, counting the number of times he was targeted in 10 games in 2022. "I kept count. It wasn't hard to."

Higgins said Kelly's "anticipation skill" was his best trait.

"I saw it every day in practice," Higgins said. "He had way more than three picks there."

For good measure, Kelly also snagged an off-target throw while standing on the sideline – and he did it with one hand while the other one held his helmet.

"I want the scouts to know I have hands and I'm a playmaker," Kelly said.

Dad was impressed. Watching in the stands, the elder Kelly said his son is a "better version of myself, in every way. He's faster than me. He's taller. He's smarter than me. I'm just proud."

4) Fresno State's Jake Haener could emerge from QB crop.


It's not a banner year for quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, but it's hardly a lost cause at the position. In a crop of quarterbacks that mostly range from Day 3 prospects to priority free agents, Haener might be the leading man among them. He's now stacked solid back-to-back practices, showing decent accuracy and the ability to make plays out of structure -- even in unfamiliar surroundings this week.

The Bulldogs quarterback finished off his career in a successful fashion, returning from an ankle injury to lead Fresno State to a Mountain West title and throw for 2,896 yards, 20 TDs and only three picks despite missing four games.

Haener was fortunate not to miss more. Doctors originally told him it was a 10-to-12-week injury, which might have ended his season. In the end, he was out for a much shorter period, playing the remainder of the season with an ankle he estimated was "75 to 80 percent healthy." The Bulldogs didn't lose a single game after he came back.

Was he worried he could do more damage to the ankle ahead of the pre-draft season?

"I don't play with fear," Haener said. "You know, I'm trying to execute and play at a high level and do everything I can to help our team get wins, but I think it allowed me to play with a different perspective at times and get the ball out of my hand quicker and more efficiently."

5) Tulane's Tyjae Spears looking sharp as receiver.

It's going to be hard to slow down the Spears hype train this week.

The Tulane running back has been one of the early stars at the Senior Bowl, making impressive plays two days in a row. On Wednesday, Spears had a few eye-opening plays.


He slipped on a run play during 9-on-7 work, and it looked like he might go down for no gain, but he regained his balance, shifted his weight and picked up yardage. He also stood tall in receiving and pass-blocking drills, and ripped off a long touchdown run late in the session.

Two things have stood out: Spears has looked quick at 204 pounds (after playing in the 190s last season, he said) and has done well catching the ball.

At Tulane, Spears was often an afterthought as a receiving option, catching only 28 passes in his first 22 college games. A two-game spell last season against Southern Mississippi and Houston offered a glimpse of that ability, with Spears catching a combined 11 passes for 159 yards and a TD.

Spears said Wednesday he never asked the Green Wave coaches for more chances as a receiver. Why? Because he said it wasn't his job to decide how the offense was run.

"I never tried to put myself in the coach's shoes because there are so many things you've got to put into the equation," Spears said. "I can't just go to (them) and say, 'Hey, use me (as a receiver) out of the backfield. I am not that player. I'll let you figure it out."

It appears the American team coaches have figured it out. Expect Spears to get even more chances to catch the ball as the week continues.

-- Eric Edholm


https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-senio...ft-buzz-for-wr-nathaniel-tank-dell-lb-da

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, NW is a guy that looks like he could fit what we need, and I'm starting to dig into him. Started at Edge, but they played him all over. I see him more as a 3T for us. Was the National team DL of the week.

I read several good reports about Adebawore's performance during the week.