2016 Senior Bowl: Practice Recap

Carson Wentz helped his stock as a potential first-round QB

Carson Wentz helped his stock as a potential first-round pick

The Senior Bowl will be held Saturday at 1:30 pm CT in Mobile, Alabama. Ladd-Peebles Stadium (38,888) will be the home of the game, and you can catch it on NFL Network. The Senior Bowl showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to its current residence the next year. Produced by the non-profit Mobile Arts & Sports Association, the game is also a charitable fundraiser benefiting various local and regional organizations with over $5.9 million in donations over its history.

Seniors will have a chance to showcase their talents. The rosters of the teams (North/South).

Here’s a recap of this week’s practices, including who helped and hurt their cause and highlights surrounding those preparing for the 2016 Senior Bowl.

Follow along with all of our NFL Draft coverage

QUARTERBACK

High Achiever

The play of Carson Wentz (6-foot-5, 233 pounds) was what stood out to most observers. According to Lance Zierlein, he displayed confidence in the pocket and while rolling out. He proved he could play up to the competition, which has been a worry by many NFL evaluators. NFL.com’s Charles Davis believes Wentz is a first-round pick, and possibly a top-10 selection.

I do not doubt he should be a first-rounder, but the second quarterback taken in the draft is probably a stretch. He has the talent, size, arm strength, leadership, and poise, but can he handle the NFL coming from a small school such as North Dakota State? I think it’s wise that he goes to a team like New Orleans or Philadelphia that can bring him along slowly.

Under Dog

North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Brissett (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) is not ready to start in the NFL yet, but give him a couple of years and the team taking a chance on him will be rewarded. He has reminded some of Jameis Winston but still needs guidance in the nuances of the position. He’s able to step and drive the ball into tight windows or put feathery soft touch on throws when needed. He played in a pro-style scheme. He has been severely harassed over last two seasons and has taken up a few bad habits because of it. He will need to learn to get away from dropping his eyes and throwing off his back foot.

Disappointing

Dak Prescott (6-foot-2, 226) continued to fail with his accuracy within the pocket and was impatient in allowing progressions to occur. These are the same mistakes he made while being with Mississippi State. He is another quarterback that got pounded, which may have something to do with his willingness to get rid of the ball. Prescott isn’t a complete dud, as he has delivered accurate passes around the field when he feels no pressure. He has also improved from last season, as he eliminated many unnecessary passes.

RUNNING BACK

High Achiever

Kenneth Dixon (5-foot-10, 215 pounds) stood out the most for running backs. He displayed quickness and ability out of the backfield and was able to pick up blocks in pass protection against linebackers. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Dixon allowed just five pressures on 142 pass-blocking snaps — the 13th-best rate in the nation. Dixon also has receiving skills and can run good routes. He will use his jump-cut and jukes to move with the football. He plays with urgency and toughness. He will find the end zone and can be an every-down back. He averaged almost twice as many yards per carry after first contact (3.3) than before first contact (1.7). PFF also mentioned that Dixon ranked fifth among draft-eligible running backs in breakaway percentage (49 percent of his yards came from breakaway runs), first in yards per pass route run, and first in elusive rating. Concerns surround his size, as he looks smaller than listed. The way he runs likely won’t help him stay healthy, just ask Chris Ivory.

Under Dog

Tyler Ervin (5-foot-9, 192 pounds). Listed at these measurements, you would think either wide receiver or cornerback, not running back. It’s the size of his heart that has won scouts over, and it continues to do so. Footballguys Matt Waldman shared that Ervin has the skills to catch the ball out of the backfield and stand up to linebackers in pass protection. He will take it up the middle and won’t look for the side door to avoid contact. He is everything his frame says he can’t be. He is a blazer with multiple gears, and he can juke his way out of trouble. The issues are his lack of protection from a hit and that he will go down with able tacklers pretty easy. Many project him as just a kick returner, but I see a lot more in him.

Disappointing

Kenyan Drake (6-foot-0, 193 pounds). CBS Sports felt that Drake has a difficulty when it comes down to running between the tackles. He also faltered when using his hands and his body to pass protect. Perhaps his biggest weakness was showcasing his receiving capabilities. He lacked an understanding of how to use his hands and body as a pass protector. He also struggled a little too often as a receiver. He has the quicks, and has shown good hands, which will make him valuable in the passing game, but is not an every-down contributor.

WIDE RECEIVER

High Achiever

Sterling Shepard (5-foot-10, 210 pounds). Pro Football Focus saw a lot in Shepard, stating: “His quickness in and out of breaks was very impressive, and he runs every route at full speed, which puts defenders on their heels.” It seems as though he put on enough of a show to be the ultimate winner at the receiver position.

PFF graded him as doing most of his damage from the slot (71 percent of routes run came as a slot receiver), ranking No. 1 in the nation in catch rate from that position. He has gotten some flack because of his size and has been labeled as a slot receiver, but he has done damage as a deep threat as well, hauling in all 10 of the catchable deep passes thrown his way that traveled 20 yards or more scoring four touchdowns. Tajae Sharpe looked studly as well.

Under Dog

Braxton Miller (6-foot-1, 204 pounds). Miller was an easy call for high achiever as he impressed nearly everyone. He owned each route and defied anyone trying to get into his space. NFL.com Bucky Brooks stated, “He catches the ball effortlessly with his hands and looks like a veteran judging the ball in the air. With Miller also displaying improved route-running skills and impressive ball skills, he could make an immediate impact as a multipurpose playmaker.” CBS Sports detailed Miller as showing great quickness, balance and reaction time to generate separation and make eye-popping receptions appear routine.

Disappointing

Jordan Payton (6-foot-1, 216 pounds). The crew at CBS Sportsline broke down the play of Jordan Payton and came away unimpressed. They noticed him struggling to “generate much separation from the North’s cornerbacks, in part because he lacks ideal speed.” He will need to prove that he can shift into high gear when it comes to Saturday’s game, or make it up at the combine. He can use his frame and shield defenders, which he does nicely, and has good hands, but without the speed, he isn’t worth much.

Here’s the voting outcome of those who were most impressive at each position. Check the Senior Bowl home page for more information.