MOBILE, Ala. -- A year ago
Tony Oliva Jersey , and arrived at the Senior Bowl as prospects with something to prove to the 32 that still weren't sold on how the skills that made them so succe sful in college would translate to the next level. Both players were dominant all week, and both players parlayed that into higher-than-expected draft picks; Sweat went 26th overall to the and 10 selections later, the took Samuel, who ended his rookie regular season No. 2 on the team in receptions (57) and receiving yards (802) behind only . All told, the 2019 Senior Bowl roster had 10 players go in the first round and 40 in the first three rounds. Those are mind-boggling numbers, but it felt like the 2020 group collectively had a better week than their predece sors from a year ago. At this point, just a day removed from the final practice, and still with Saturday's Senior Bowl game to be played, that's more anecdotal observation than empirical analysis but the takeaway remains the same: Expect many of the players on the field this week in Mobile to be playing on Sundays in the next season. With that in mind, here are 10 winners from practice week. Justin Herbert, QB, OregonWe've written about Herbert all week and through three practices he has exceeded expectations in every way. He's shown off one of the best arms in this draft cla s, he has thrown accurately and on time during 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, and he'll have a chance on Saturday to show what NFL teams they really want to see from him: His ability to command the huddle and be a leader. Was really excited for the opportunity to come back I really worked on decision making this year, and got a good feel of the offense.Justin Herbert joined to discu s what he worked on during his senior season at Oregon. CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) Herbert is unquestionably a first-round talent, but he didn't play close to that level during his junior season in 2018.
Jorge Polanco Jersey He returned in 2019 and was much more consistent, but questions will follow him throughout the draft proce s. Going strictly by the tape, Herbert played more like a second-round pick last season but his physical attributes, along with his good showing this week -- and the insatiable need for franchise quarterbacks -- will almost certainly see him be among the first 32 picks, and in all likelihood, he'll work his way into the top 15. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State Like Herbert, Love arrived in Mobile with a lot to prove. His 2019 tape was hard to watch at times, especially after his breakout 2018 campaign. There are many reasons for his struggles last season -- new coaching staff, new offensive line, many new skill-position players -- but Love admitted that part of the reason he regre sed was that he was trying to do too much to help the team. In some ways, he was under le s pre sure in Mobile, where he's had a lot of experience working with new faces. "I'm trying to go out there and showcase my ability and my talent." - catches up with potential 1st-rd pick on his Senior Bowl goals CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) Love was sharp in all three practices. And while the ball explodes out of Herbert's hand, Love's delivery was effortle s -- and yet with similar arm strength. Love also showed much better touch on deep balls, something that we saw throughout his college career too. But is he a first-round talent? Without a doubt. NFL teams will have to convince themselves they can limit the mistakes that plagued him in 2019 when he had 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, but much like a year ago, Love will benefit from having much better players around him at the next level. In terms of his physical abilities, he's drawn comparisons to , and like Mahomes, he'll need to spend a year on the bench before easing into a starting role. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor We've been saying for months that the 2020 wide receivers cla s is
Martin Perez Jersey . That was confirmed in Mobile and Mims had a breakout week. The Baylor wideout is 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, and caught everything thrown in his direction. He high-pointed the ball well, showed off a huge catch radius, got in and out of his breaks like someone 3-4 inches shorter, and routinely beat 1-on-1 coverage, often early in the route. This was from Thursday's practice but just as easily could've been from the two previous se sions: Denzel Mims has had a strong week. Just grabbed this one-handed pa s from Jordan Love in the end zone at Thursdays Senior Bowl practice. ryan wilson (@ryanwilsonCBS) Van Jefferson, WR, Florida Jefferson is the son of former player and current wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson -- and he plays like it. Maybe the best route runner at the Senior Bowl, Jefferson regularly won against some of the best defensive backs in the country, and by the way, , too. Coming into the week there were questions about why Jefferson
Minnesota Twins Jersey didn't put up better numbers at Florida last season but if you want a crash course on what type a player he is, just watch the LSU game; he had eight catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns, often while lining up acro s from Derek Stingley Jr., arguably the best cornerback in . Nice separation by Van Jefferson Billy M (@BillyM_91) Van Jefferson is so fluid and flexible as a route runner. Keeping his pads down, selling each step with his upper body and staying explosive by driving off his in-steps. Clinic tape. Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton Trautman has NFL size -- he's 6-foot-5, 251 pounds -- and he was at no point overwhelmed by better competition in Mobile. Trautman played at Datyon, an FCS program, but he was dominant throughout the week, both as a receiver and a blocker. Nice burst at the top of the route by Dayton TE Adam Trautman. Extends away from his body to make an impre sive hands catch. Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) ADAM TRAUTMAN (TE, Dayton) was the star of Thursdays practice with his receiving skills....BUT, I liked his blocking. Paul Alexander (@CoachPaulAlex) Dayton , but that will change this year when Trautman will almost certainly be a Day 2 pick. , OT, Houston A year ago, Jones considered leaving school early to enter the NFL Draft and he would've likely been a Day 3 pick. Returning to Houston proved to be the right decision for the athletic left tackle because he had a strong 2019 season and continued to impre s NFL teams here at the Senior Bowl. He's one of the most athletic offensive linemen in this draft cla s and that was obvious to even though half-paying attention in Mobile. josh jones is on another level Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) There
Kirby Puckett Jersey 's more: ANOTHER Josh Jones highlight PFF Draft (@PFF_College) We've had Jones going in the first round in many of our weekly mock drafts prior to Senior Bowl week and that won't change based on what we saw this week. Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama The biggest question facing Lewis coming into the 2019 campaign was if he could stay healthy. He mi sed 2018 with an ACL injury a
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