Head coaches, general managers, scouts, media members, and players alike are swarming to Mobile, Alabama this week for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. It has become a place where rapid ascents are started by standout players throughout the week. Deebo Samuel, Jeremy Chinn, Kyle Dugger, Terry McLaurin, and others have made themselves money at the Senior Bowl. Thus, these risers are an integral part of the Senior Bowl’s appeal.
Which other players on offense have the most to gain at the 2021 Senior Bowl?
QB Jamie Newman, Wake Forest / Georgia
I would argue that no one has more to gain this week than Jamie Newman. It seems easy to pinpoint just why, and it is all because of traits. Newman is athletic, displays an NFL-level arm, and great toughness. These tools create a nice foundation to build upon for Newman. However, after not playing in 2020, Newman still has much to prove. His upside is far from tangible and he needed this year at Georgia to make an impression.
In general, Newman’s issues have been rushed and inconsistent footwork. It leads him to be a spotty quarterback who can make even routine throws hard. Add in the fact that he does not manage the pocket well and has significant mental processing issues, and Newman is as raw as they come.
The requisite traits are all there. Newman has the tools to be an NFL starter. Scouts need to see improvement from Newman at the Senior Bowl to raise his stock. If he can do that, Newman’s stock will go from murky to trending upwards quickly.
IOL Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Every year, there are some players from Division II or lower that come to the Senior Bowl. Last year, those guys were Ben Bartch and Kyle Dugger. This year, it is Quinn Meinerz of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Likewise to Bartch, Meinerz is a guy who is on another level to anyone else he plays. Meinerz is a pure mauler who runs people out to the woodshed. The violence is admirable and a plus trait. Meinerz has that mean streak. In other words, Meinerz stands out like you want a Division III prospect to against his competition.
The objective for Meinerz is quite simple. He has to show he can hang with the big boys from the Power 5 conferences. Bartch and Dugger were able to prove they both could hang last year. If Meinerz can prove his ability to hang with the best seniors the country has to offer, he can catapult his stock into Early Day 3 candidacy even in a rather solid offensive line class overall.
IOL David Moore, Grambling State
Moore is another lineman from a small school, but this time it is the FCS. In the times that Grambling State played FBS teams, Moore was one of the best players on the field for both teams, and he’ll look to build on this during the Senior Bowl.
It is not hard to see why. Some people will be concerned about his squatty stature and 6-foot-2 height, but Moore is one of my favorite Day 3 guards at this point. His natural anchor, pad level, and core strength are three great traits that allow him to work against anyone he faces in the confined space at guard.
Moore is a fantastic athlete and moves well in space on pulls. He springs multiple runs just from getting out in front on those pulls or working off a combo block to the second level. Just like Meinerz, Moore needs to prove he belongs against these top pass rushers. If he can do that, Moore’s stock can dramatically rise into the top 150 at least. He has ample money to potentially make.
Which defensive players have the most to gain at the Senior Bowl?
IDL Marvin Wilson, Florida State
Marvin Wilson is one of the most intriguing players to watch in Mobile. Once thought of as a top-10 prospect, a bad season and injuries have caused Wilson’s stock to drastically drop to the fringe of Day 2 at this point. Wilson did play through a bad knee injury this season prior to opting out for the season. That could speak to why his tape was so bad this season despite a dominant 2019 campaign.
Listen, Wilson’s physical tools are some of the best in the class. But that tape makes him such a risky endeavor to embark on for a team in the top 100. That is why this week is so key for Wilson. He has to prove that the top-10 prospect is in there still and not just a fluky one-year performance.
If Wilson goes into Mobile and dominates players, we could see Wilson’s stock once again skyrocket among a weaker interior defensive line class.
CB D.J. Daniel, Georgia
The third of three impressive Georgia cornerback prospects, D.J. Daniel has flown under the radar among this cornerback class and one of those players looking to boost draft stock at the Senior Bowl. However, Daniel has impressive tape against guys like Ja’Marr Chase in the SEC to provide reasoning to his growing bastion of hype.
His physicality, length, and foot quickness are perfect for these one-on-ones in Mobile. Those traits are also what will attract teams to him as a cornerback prospect.
Daniel’s natural cover cornerback skills should be on display in a big way in Mobile. The fact that he was limited in 2020 damages his stock to a degree. However, with a strong performance in Mobile against a rather talented receiver group, Daniel can raise his stock into the top 100 with his traits. He is a guy that is easy to love just because of his pure traits on display.
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