[ad_1]
One of the most important weeks of the NFL draft process ended on Saturday with the 71st annual Senior Bowl game. Brian Flores’ national team prevailed over Matt Rhule’s US team by a score of 27-24.
True to tradition, the Senior Bowl provided the best seniors in college football with the opportunity to show off their skills and demonstrate their potential worth to the 32 NFL teams.
The New England Patriots enjoy this game and process perhaps more than any other team, having drafted or signed eight Senior Bowl alumni in just the past two seasons. There will undoubtedly be a few more acquired this draft season, so with that in mind, let’s take a look at the guys who stand out, for better or for worse.
Winner: WR Amari Rodgers
In a rare case of a player whose stock increased between his last college game and the Senior Bowl, Amari Rodgers just continued that trend with his game on Saturday. Playing in the slot machine and going their separate ways, Rodgers has shown some versatility and success on both sides. His touchdown came on a large, shaken road between two defenders while taking a hit, and his grip on a two-point conversion fell on the formation where he opened up without a problem.
Winner: EDGE Elerson Smith
It’s hard to have a better streak than Elerson Smith at the start of the first quarter. In a four-game streak, he recorded a quarterback hit (with a bad hard hit for the passer), a first save tackle from behind and a loss tackle on one end where he stayed at home. and controlled the edge. . He took his own defense off the field. Smith played some nice plays here and there for the rest of the game, but it was that first set that got him here.
Loser: AND Deonte Brown
It was a tough week for the man who got comparisons to Michael Onwenu as Deonte Brown struggled for pass protection. Very early on, he was blown away for a strip bag. He then missed a key block on a fourth down and the running back was stopped. The speed and agility of the foot is far from what it takes for him to play and succeed at the next level.
Winner: WR / RB Demetric Felton
We’ve all wondered whether or not Felton can make the jump from running back to wide receiver. Felton showed he can with a solid touchdown reception that showed some quickness in a short zone and road racing skills. He also had the chance to show the ball carrier’s agility for the touchdown.
Winner: FB Ben Mason
A back gym rat from Michigan? Bill Belichick is on the phone as we speak.
Loser: EDGE Jordan Smith
Throughout the writing process, I mentioned how much I love Jordan Smith’s tools, but worry about his field IQ and the coaching he received from UAB staff. . The constant mistakes he made throughout Saturday’s game were obvious: he needs time to become a real player to the next level.
Loser: WR Frank Darby
Frank Darby’s biggest question coming up in the week was whether or not he could show some consistency. With more drops (2) than catches (1), it’s safe to say he hasn’t been able to change the narrative. The flashes are there, and they’re pretty awesome, but he didn’t do anything to help himself on game day.
Winner: CB Keith Taylor
It’s rare that you see a guy give up two touchdowns and still make one of those lists. Other than a small misstep and a missed call, however, Taylor was perfect. He has a great size and great length and shows incredible patience in the male blanket. Not a guy who will fall for many stops and starts. The guy took a good nap on Saturday.
Winner: WR Dez Fitzpatrick
It’s pretty obvious from the statline (6 catches for 90 yards) but Dez Fitzpatrick was wide open all day. A fluid runner with reliable hands, Fitzpatrick has proven himself to be far more than Louisville’s number two catcher. It has considerably improved its provisional stock. He was also wide open for a touchdown over 50 yards, but quarterback Feleipe Franks missed it.
Winner: RB Michael Carter
The man who averaged 8.0 yards per carry in 2020 continued his way averaging 7.5 yards per carry on Saturday, including an incredible touchdown that virtually sealed the national team’s victory. He proved that his size shouldn’t play a role in his stock project. Michael Carter is the real deal.
For those of you wondering, some potential Patriots targets on this list are Amari Rodgers, Dez Fitzpatrick and Ben Mason. All of them have played really well and are fitting in places where New England has a lot of draft capital.
[ad_2]
Source link