Senior Bowl Preview

With the East-West Shrine Game wrapped up, scouts and executives from every NFL team are flocking to Mobile, Ala., for Saturday’s Senior Bowl. The game is the crème de la crème of college football all-star games. Here’s The National Football Post’s first look at each player and his projection in the 2009 NFL Draft.  Wes Bunting, Joe Fortenbaugh and Jack Bechta will be in Mobile this week to cover all of the Senior Bowl action.

Quarterbacks

Pat White: West Virginia. Projection: third round

An extremely gifted athlete who knows how to buy time in the pocket and create plays with his feet. Has taken impressive steps as a passer this past year and could project as a QB on some boards, although he will also see time this week at receiver.

Graham Harrell: Texas Tech. Projection: fourth round

An ultra-productive, accurate quarterback who displays impressive intelligence in the pocket. He has the ability to throw receivers open down the field. However, he relies on his timing as he lacks the arm strength to force balls into tight windows.

Cullen Harper: Clemson. Projection: fifth round

Entered the season as the nation’s top senior quarterback but struggled with his accuracy behind a young offensive line. He has the tools to make it but needs to regain his confidence and prove he can make sound decisions from the pocket.

Nathan Brown: Central Arkansas. Projection: fourth round

An intriguing small-school prospect who displays good athletic ability and a strong arm on the move. Does a nice job creating plays outside the pocket and reminds some scouts of Cowboys QB Tony Romo.

Rhett Bomar: Sam Houston State. Projection: fourth round

Possibly the top senior QB prospect in the draft. Displays a strong arm but exhibits inconsistent accuracy on all levels of the field. Needs to learn to go through his progressions quicker. Has definite character concerns.

John Parker Wilson: Alabama. Projection: sixth round

A smart, accurate QB who did a nice job managing the offense this season. He struggles buying time in the pocket and lacks the arm strength to throw off balance.

Running Backs

Jeremiah Johnson: Oregon State. Projection: fourth round

A natural runner with a good first step and fluid lateral mobility in space. Knows how to make a man miss but plays at one speed. Lacks the ability to run away from defenders at the second level.

James Davis: Clemson. Projection: third round

A big, muscular back with an explosive first step and good power between the tackles. However, he isn’t a real fluid runner and lacks the ability to make a man miss.

Andre Brown: North Carolina State. Projection: sixth round

A meat-and-potatoes type of back who has good vision and power between the tackles. Is surprisingly fluid in space but lacks any kind of second gear.

Cedric Peerman: Virginia. Projection: sixth round

A tough inside runner with an ability to wear down an opposing front seven. Displays good vision but plays at one speed and lacks the lateral mobility to consistently make a man miss.

Rashad Jennings: Liberty. Projection: third round

A thick, powerfully built back with good strength and drive between the tackles. Displays an impressive first step for his size with the lateral mobility to make a man miss and step through defenders.

Arian Foster: Tennessee. Projection: fourth round

Is blessed with impressive burst and lateral explosion for a man his size. However, he doesn’t run with the type of toughness and power his body would indicate and would rather dance than pick up tough yards inside.

Javon Ringer: Michigan State. Projection: third round

Displays good toughness and power inside for his size and has showcased an ability to carry a heavy load. Exhibits vision at the line of scrimmage and burst through the hole. However, he lacks wiggle and an ability to consistently make a man miss in space.  UPDATE:  Javon Ringer has pulled out of the Senior Bowl.

Fullbacks

Travis McCall: Alabama. Projection: sixth round

A versatile FB/TE who played a big role in the Crimson Tide’s rushing attack. He possesses a big frame with the power and body control to be a solid lead blocker at the next level.

Quinn Johnson: LSU. Projection: seventh round

A physical, well-built fullback at 6-1, 260 pounds. Moves extremely well for his size and showcases the ball skills to make plays out of the backfield. A former linebacker with the mindset of being a lead blocker

Tony Fiammetta: Syracuse. Projection: seventh round

A solidly built athlete with good power on contact who consistently opens up holes at the line of scrimmage. Isn’t a real fluid blocker and struggles re-directing laterally. His blocks are too often side-stepped in space.

Eric Kettani: Navy. Projection: free agent

A physical, strong-legged runner/blocker who craves contact and does the dirty work inside. Would be drafted much higher, but because of his military obligations, NFL teams must wait two years for his services.

Wide Receivers

Ramses Barden: Cal Poly. Projection: third round

A king-sized wideout with good body control and hands over the middle of the field. He's a strider with below-average deep speed but showcases good suddenness out of his breaks.

Patrick Turner: USC. Projection: sixth round

A physically imposing receiver with good ball and body control to shield corners and pluck the ball away from his body. Needs to prove he has the speed to separate at the next level.

Brandon Gibson: Washington State. Projection: fifth round

A muscular, well-built receiver with good body control and fluidity in and out of his breaks. Plays at one speed and relies on his route running to get open.

Brooks Foster: North Carolina. Projection: fifth round

A tall (6-3) fluid receiver with impressive deep speed (4.47) and body control for his size. Was overshadowed this season by receiver teammates Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate and needs to show he has the ability to separate versus top-level corners.

Louis Murphy: Florida. Projection: third round

A big-time size/speed prospect who is still learning the intricacies of the receiver position. Is more of a vertical threat at this stage but knows how to get down the field.  UPDATE:  Louis Murphy has pulled out of the Senior Bowl. 

Mohamed Massaquoi: Georgia. Projection: fourth round

A smooth, long-limbed receiver who exhibits the ability to get in and out of his breaks quickly. Uses his body well to shield defenders and knows how to gain separation over the middle of the field.

Kenny McKinley: South Carolina. Projection: third round

Displays good body control  and quickness in and out of his breaks. He isn’t the biggest receiver but has an ability to separate because of his sharp, sudden routes.

Demetrius Byrd: LSU. Projection: fifth round

Did not have the type of season many scouts expected in 2008. But he is still a tall, physically built receiver with good burst and vertical speed down the field. Needs to prove his lack of production was a result of QB troubles at LSU, not his lack of ability.

Quan Cosby: Texas. Projection: fourth round

A natural route runner who will likely make his living in the slot at the next level. He lacks size but is very fluid in and out of his breaks and knows how to separate off the line.

Juaquin Iglesias: Oklahoma. Projection: second round

An athletically gifted receiver who possesses the body control and fluidity to get in and out of his breaks cleanly. Is a polished route runner with the vertical speed to get behind corners and threaten defenses down the field.

Jarrett Dillard: Rice. Projection: fifth round

After a strong East-West Shrine Game performance, Dillard got an invitation to the Senior Bowl. A frail receiver prospect with excellent hand-eye coordination. Displays the ability to consistently go up and pluck balls at the highest point but will struggle with bump coverage in the NFL.

Derrick Williams: Penn State. Projection: second round

A far more gifted athlete than he is a receiver at this stage. Displays the burst, speed and body control to develop into a very good wideout, but at this stage he is very raw and isn’t a sharp route runner.

Mike Thomas: Arizona. Projection: sixth round

An undersized slot guy with good agility and acceleration in the open field. Is more quick than fast but has the ability to uncover down the field.

Tight Ends

Anthony Hill: North Carolina State. Projection: seventh round

Has struggled with injuries throughout his career (knee, chest) but has the size and frame to at least attract some attention in later rounds. Is a coordinated route runner with good body control, but his knee injuries have caused him to lose a lot of his explosion over the years.

John Phillips: Virginia. Projection: fifth round

A tall, physically built tight end with good size and power in the run game. Exhibits the ability to hold the edge and is a reliable receiver in the pass game. Lacks explosion and plays at one speed.

Shawn Nelson: Southern Miss. Projection: third round

A big, physically imposing TE with good burst and vertical speed down the seam. Has the ability to line up with his hand on the ground or be split out wide. Is a bit raw as a blocker but showcases the power and size to develop in that area.

Brandon Pettigrew: Oklahoma State. Projection first round

Possibly the best blocking/receiving tight end to come along in years. Pettigrew is a natural athlete with a big frame and good power at the point of attack. He does a great job working the middle of the field and can handle the DE at the point of attack.

Offensive Tackles

Eugene Monroe: Virginia. Projection: first round

A fluid, long-limbed tackle with great feet and body control on the edge. Needs to add a little more strength to his frame but looks like a possible top-10 pick.

Jason Watkins: Florida. Projection: fourth round

An athletically gifted tackle with good balance and lateral mobility in pass protection. Is long limbed but lacks flexibility and is more of a waist bender. He struggles playing with consistent leverage on contact.

Michael Oher: Mississippi. Projection: first round

Displays ideal girth, length and athleticism for the left tackle position. Possesses great feet and lateral mobility in pass protection and could be the top prospect at the Senior Bowl this week.

Kraig Urbik: Wisconsin. Projection: fourth round

Played guard at Wisconsin but has the body type for the tackle position. Therefore, will be scouted at both spots this week. Possesses great size (6-7, 332) and displays good power and technique on contact. However, he is a bit slow footed and needs to play on the right side to make it.

Phil Loadholt: Oklahoma. Projection: third round

A massive RT prospect with the power and length to lock on and drive defenders out of the play. Is smooth for his size but lacks the foot speed to consistently reach the corner.

Troy Kropog: Tulane. Projection: second round

A tall, long-limbed lineman with good body control and feet in pass protection. He needs to add more girth to his frame but has the foot speed and lateral mobility to handle the left side in the NFL.

William Beatty: Connecticut. Projection: second round

Beatty has possibly made the most dramatic move up draft boards of any senior in the nation. He is a tall, long-armed tackle who has the feet and body control to reach the corner and handle the left side in the pros.

Cornelius Lewis: Tennessee State. Projection: fifth round

A dominant small-school tackle who exhibits great length for the position. He is a fluid athlete in space and has the athleticism to reach the corner. Possesses a lot of upside and could move up draft boards with a strong showing this week.

Jason Smith: Baylor. Projection: first round

A former TE with natural athleticism and quickness in pass protection. Has the foot speed to reach the corner and re-directs well in space. Is still a bit raw from a technique standpoint but has improved significantly over the past two years.

Offensive Guards

Andy Levitre: Oregon State. Projection: second round

Played LT at Oregon State and displays the feet and body control to reach the corner and re-direct in space. However, he lacks length and is best suited to play guard in a zone blocking scheme.

Tyronne Green: Auburn. Projection: sixth round

A shorter, squatty guard with good lower body strength and leverage inside. Showcases the ability to drive defenders off the ball and get good push as an in-line run blocker.

Herman Johnson: LSU. Projection: second round

A massive interior lineman at 6-7, 360 pounds. He showcases good initial pop and power at the point of attack with the feet and lateral mobility to hold his own in pass protection. Exhibits very impressive athletic ability and body control for his size.

Anthony Parker: Tennessee. Projection: fourth round

A short, squatty guard with a powerful, wide base. Has a quick first step and gets good initially surge in the run game. Displays the lateral mobility to slide in pass protection but the more space is plays in, the more he will struggle

Duke Robinson: Oklahoma. Projection: first round

A massive guard prospect with good lateral mobility and power inside. Showcases the athletic ability to pull in space as well as get good push as an in-line run blocker.

Trevor Canfield: Cincinnati. Projection: third round

A tough, fluid guard with good footwork and power in pass protection. Exhibits the lateral mobility to mirror defensive tackles in space, with the toughness and lower body strength to get movement in the run game.

Centers

Max Under: Oregon. Projection: second round

A former LT who has made a seamless transition inside to center. He possesses the best feet in the nation for an interior lineman and is nearly impossible to get around in pass protection. Is an ideal fit for a zone-blocking scheme.

Alex Mack: California. Projection: second round

A tough, instinctive center who displays good technique and power at the point of attack. Is only an average athlete and struggles a bit in space but exhibits a powerful punch and plays with a consistent mean streak.

Antoine Caldwell: Alabama. Projection: third round

A gritty, coordinated interior lineman who displays the athletic ability to get around reach blocks and seal inside. Isn’t real fluid in space and will lumber a bit when asked to get out on the edge.

Jonathan Luigs: Arkansas. Projection: second round

A big, well-built center with natural bend and body control in space. Is more of a finesse blocker who uses his foot quickness and body control to seal run lanes inside. Doesn’t have the type of power his body would indicate.

Eric Wood: Louisville. Projection: third round

A powerful, blue-collar center who plays with good strength and technique inside. Delivers one of the strongest punches in the draft and takes great pride in finishing blocks.

Defensive Ends

Kyle Moore: USC. Projection: seventh round

A tall, well-built defensive end who displays good power on contact and knows how to set the edge versus the run. Isn’t a real explosive pass rusher and reminds scouts of a poor man’s Lawrence Jackson.

Michael Johnson: Georgia Tech. Projection: first round

A long, angular defensive end who has impressive flexibility for his size (6-6). Showcases a rare first step and has as much upside as any prospect in the draft. However, he has never played to his capability and needs to improve on his strength and technique.

Robert Ayers: Tennessee. Projection: fifth round

Not a real explosive DE but plays with good power and uses his length and suddenness to get off blocks. Is at his best being stout at the point of attack and initiating contact off the edge.

Connor Barwin: Cincinnati. Projection: second round

Played TE until making the move to DE this season. A tough, instinctive athlete with intriguing athleticism and good pass-rush ability. Possesses a lot of upside and will continue to get better. Will move up draft boards in the coming weeks.

Cody Brown: Connecticut. Projection: fourth round

A natural pass rusher who displays a good first step and closing speed off the edge. Isn’t the most natural of benders and struggles bending at the waist too often. He looks best suited to stand-up and play at a 3-4 OLB in the NFL.

Larry English: Northern Illinois. Projection: second round

A versatile DE/OLB tweener who has the first step and pass-rush ability to get after the QB. Will play both positions this week but is best suited to stand up and rush as a 3-4 OLB.

Defensive Tackles

Ron Brace: Boston College. Projection: third round

A physically imposing lineman who shows a good first step off the ball with the lateral mobility to shed blocks and get after the passer. Has the girth to eat up blockers inside and can play either the three-technique or nose at the next level.

Peria Jerry: Mississippi. Projection: first round

Played as well as any DT in the country this season and looks to solidify his spot in the first round. Well-built with an intriguing combination of athleticism and work rate inside.

Vance Walker: Georgia Tech. Projection: third round

A flexible interior lineman who has impressive get-off burst and knows how to shoot gaps inside. Does a nice job consistently shedding blockers but lacks consistent instincts in all aspects of the game.

Fili Moala: USC. Projection: second round

A tall, physically imposing tackle with an impressive first step and good in-line power. Needs to win battles with his initial surge as he lacks the flexibility to play with leverage and struggles with his lateral mobility.

B.J. Raji: Boston College. Projection: first round

Possibly the best DT in the nation. Displays an impressive first step with the power to consistently push the pocket and make plays in the backfield. Looks like a top-20 pick in April.

Mitch King: Iowa. Projection: fourth round

An expl

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