The 2021 Senior Bowl week has arrived. The NFL world has descended on Mobile, Alabama for a full week of Senior Bowl practice and NFL buzz. Below you can find our Senior Bowl practice reports for every day of practice for the National Team. Of course, the week culminates with the game itself on Saturday from the brand new Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama.
Featured | NFL Draft Prospects 2021: Tony Pauline’s updated big board, player rankings
Pro Football Network has you covered all week, with the latest news, notes, and rumors from around Mobile. This page will be updated throughout the week with thoughts on every player’s performance in Mobile. The PFN Draft Analysts providing the practice reports are:
Tony Pauline – Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Tight Ends
Ian Cummings – Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebackers
Jarrett Bailey – Wide Receivers, Defensive Backs
Latest from the 2021 Senior Bowl
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National Team 2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: Quarterbacks
Note: Click the tabs that correspond with each day to read the update from that practice.
Feleipe Franks, Arkansas
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Physically the most impressive quarterback on the National squad. Franks has a nice build, a live arm, and delivers the ball with great velocity. On the other hand, his accuracy and decision making leave a lot to be desired. Targets were consistently reaching backwards or leaving their feet to make the reception and he made some terrible decisions including one pass which resulted in an interception.
Franks has the arm strength for the next level, but once again, many of his throws were off the mark. His timing was also off, and a number of his passes were late as receivers were waiting for the ball to arrive.
I noticed Franks has a bit of a hitch at the top of his delivery which slows the release of his passes. He was also very slow moving his head away from the primary target which gave away a lot of his throws.
Franks is a big pocket passer with the arm talent for the NFL. He also made good passing choices all week. But that’s where it starts and ends for him. His delivery, fundamentals, and more than anything else, accuracy, need a ton of work. Franks literally needs to be worked from the ground up. Yet, the arm strength alone makes him worth keeping on a practice squad.
Ian Book, Notre Dame
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Looked good in drills and during scrimmage throwing short and intermediate passes. Has a fluid delivery and throws a catchable ball. Was on the mark with his throws as well. Accurate and did not have receivers adjusting for errant passes. His deep throws were another thing all together as they floated and there was little velocity on many of the balls that traveled further than 25 yards.
Book tried to display his deep arm today, and while his downfield passes were delivered with tight spirals and better than average speed, they were off the mark with some sailing out of bounds. Book was on the money with his short and intermediate passes.
Book made several nice throws today during drills and full scrimmage. He throws tight spirals and a catchable ball, but again, his deep throws lack speed and die in the air.
Book’s lack of arm strength and inability to deliver the deep ball was documented all week. Yet despite this, I believe he has tools to work with. He throws tight spirals, a catchable ball, and makes good decisions. Book is also quite mobile, which is no surprise to anyone that’s watched him. I could see him landing in the late rounds, taken by a team that employs a timing offense and wants an RPO quarterback.
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Struggled from the beginning. Has a wind-up, which slows his release and passes really show little in the way of speed or velocity. His deep passes tended to float and he could not drive long throws. Accuracy was also an issue — passes were high of the mark or behind receivers, who were usually waiting on the ball.
Much the same from Ehlinger. The inability to deliver deep passes led to a lot of missed opportunities as wide open receivers were waiting for the pass to arrive, which resulted in defended throws or passes that fell short of the mark. Ehlinger competes, and deserves credit for that, but does not possess the arm talent for the next level.
Another tough practice for Ehlinger as the wind made the conditions more difficult for him. On one play, he woefully underthrew a wide open Nico Collins. Several other downs during full scrimmage his passes were held up in the wind.
I was introduced to Ehlinger on Monday evening and immediately took a liking to him as he comes across as a polite guy and just a generally good person. That being the case, what I saw during Senior Bowl practice paralleled what I viewed on film. Ehlinger is a college playmaker who lacks the physical skills, specifically arm strength, for the next level. Maybe someone takes a shot on him late in the draft, but I would be surprised if Ehlinger makes an NFL roster this fall.
National Team 2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: Running Backs
Note: Click the tabs that correspond with each day to read the update from that practice.
Demetric Felton, UCLA
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
No practice report from today.
No practice report from today.
No practice report from today.
No practice report for Demetric Felton from the Senior Bowl.
Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Showed terrific quickness and an excellent burst. He immediately found the hole then powered through the lane with great speed. He consistently popped out of the other side of the line and BAM — it seemed like he was shot out of a cannon! Has the speed to beat opponents into the open field and did so often today. Also, did well as a pass catcher out of the backfield. His blocking, though, was atrocious.
Herbert was better today than yesterday, and he was really good yesterday. His blocking was much improved today as Herbert showed great fundamentals and was very effective with his hands. Herbert shows great interior quickness, and his vision and ability to pick and choose his spots was impressive.
Another solid day for Herbert. He gave effort blocking and blocks with terrific fundamentals. Granted, he shows little in the way of strength at the point as a blocker. He showed this terrific little juke step which he used to make defenders miss.
Herbert popped out of nowhere last season after transferring to Virginia Tech from Kansas. He had a terrific 2020 campaign and proved it wasn’t a fluke during Senior Bowl practice. Herbert is an explosive back with great speed and a burst in his game. He’s creative and quick-footed which helps him create yardage. Herbert also catches the ball well. I believe he showed enough this week to secure a spot in Day 2 of the draft and will quickly find a home at the next level as a developmental back.
Michael Carter, North Carolina
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Carter displayed excellent short-area quickness and footwork. He avoided piles, made defenders miss, and created yardage. He also showed a nice burst through the hole. I liked the way he worked when the ball was, and was not, in his hands.
Except for his blocking, which was bad, Carter had a solid practice. His vision, footwork, and quickness carrying the ball was impressive as was his pass catching. Carter runs with excellent lean and showed the ability to create yardage as well as pick his way through the trash.
Carter displayed excellent short area quickness and footwork. He avoided piles, made defenders miss, and created yardage. He also showed a nice burst through the hole. I liked the way he worked when the ball was and was not in his hands.
If you’re looking for a situational runner/third-down back who can catch the ball out of the backfield, Carter proved enough this week to fill the role. He’s a tough running back with good vision, footwork, and the ability to sift through the trash. He also worked hard every day in practice and took well to coaching.
Najee Harris, Alabama
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
No practice report from today.
No practice report from today.
No practice report from today.
No practice report for Najee Harris from the Senior Bowl.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
He was solid in all areas but stood out in none. Caught the ball reasonably well, ran hard on the inside, and flashed ability around the corner. That said, Stevenson showed limited speed and quickness and has a marginal burst.
Not a good day for Stevenson. He was the worst blocking back on the National Team, and there is a stark contrast in the lack of quickness, speed, and burst in his game when he handles the ball compared to the other backs on the National squad.
Stevenson has struggled. Surprisingly, he’s been the worst blocking back on the National Team, although one would think otherwise. I’m told he was vomiting a lot early in the week. Need to see if he was sick or just out of shape.
Stevenson was one of the few running backs who was worse for the wear after Senior Bowl practices. He showed little in the way of quickness compared to the other backs and has limited speed. The fact he was obliterated during blocking drills was concerning. In the end, Stevenson displayed himself as a between the tackles/downhill ball carrier with a one-dimensional game.
Ben Mason, Michigan
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Mason caught the ball very well and did a solid job blocking. He lacks great speed, but has enough quickness and burst to play fullback on Sunday. I love his toughness and his football smarts.
Mason had a terrific day. He was dominant in blocking drills, holding the point, and not giving up an inch to opponents. Once again, he caught the ball very well and showed the ability to get downfield rather than just be a pass catcher two yards off the line of scrimmage.
I did not see Mason handle the ball much today, but once again, he showed himself to be a terrific blocker. He won every snap during drills and was strong at the point.
Mason had a terrific week of practice showing the ability to handle the ball or block for ball carriers. He was consistently dominant in blocking drills and did an excellent job catching the ball out of the backfield. In the old days, we would call Mason a “West Coast Fullback,” a position rarely used these days. But I’m sure he’ll find a place in the later rounds and on an NFL team.
National Team 2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: Wide Receivers
Note: Click the tabs that correspond with each day to read the update from that practice.
Ben Skowronek, Notre Dame
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
No practice report from today.
Skowronek saw a little more action today, but nothing noteworthy. He did have a catch during scrimmage, so he is getting more involved which is a plus.
Did not practice- injury.
There wasn’t a lot to be impressed with. Limited reps matched with an injury proved to be a disappointing week.
Cade Johnson, South Dakota State
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Johnson is very quick and has an ability better than most to gain separation. With a mid-to-late round projection, Johnson could see his stock rise if he continues to showcase that ability.
Johnson had the catch of the day down the sideline. He was being draped and caught the ball in the endzone with one hand over the shoulder, pinning it to his shoulder pad. His movement looked very fluid today, as well. He tripped up Darren Hall on a quick fake to the inside and then broke back out. One of the better receivers today.
He looked good in solo footwork drills. His fluidity has been a topic of conversation throughout the week, and he put that on display. A very good week for the South Dakota State receiver.
His break will make him a problem at the next level, as will his downfield speed in one-on-one coverage. He is better suited for the slot but really showed off this week and impressed.
D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
One of the best, if not the top, receiver of the day. Fast, quick and explosive. DBs could not stay with him in or out of breaks, could not stay with him downfield and players catch up to, rather than cover, Eskridge, who caught everything.
Eskridge is another guy who is making himself some money this week. He made a great outside move while being covered by Ambry Thomas. His route running has been talked about by many in Mobile. I’m liking what I’m seeing.
Did not practice.
He is very shifty. I love his ability to create separation. If he is able to utilize that at the next level, he will take the attention away from other receivers and help an offense a lot.
Desmond Fitzpatrick, Louisville
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Fitzpatrick had a nice catch going full extension to make the grab. That athleticism and ability to go get those tough balls will serve him well on Sundays.
Fitzpatrick’s length is serving him well. He made a nice catch in a scrimmage drill where he extended up to out-reach the DB. He is a very good outside threat, and his length is showing to be a valuable commodity.
His break to gain separation and his release were two things that stood out. He got a great jump on a fade route in red zone one-on-ones, and he used a nice jab step to gain separation in 7-on-7s. Solid final day for Fitzpatrick.
Everything about him yells red zone threat. He is lanky, he has superb ability to go up and get the ball as it begins to come down, and he can out jump just about anyone on the field. He also possesses the ability to make the tough sideline catches.
Frank Darby, Arizona State
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Darby had a nice contested catch over Camryn Bynum in 11-on-11s. He is an easy guy to throw it up to and be confident in his ability to catch jump balls.
Darby is very quick out of his breaks. In warmups, he had a corner route in which he made a nice toe-tap catch on the sideline. Not as eye-popping as he was yesterday, but still a solid day.
Darby was the best receiver on the field today. The ball kept coming to him, and he kept making plays. He made a tough contested catch against Ambry Thomas in the back of the end zone and was the guy that brought the most energy of anyone today.
A grinder. He isn’t afraid to make the short catches and turn them into more yards. That said, he was constantly getting looks downfield all week. A big energy guy that can give you all you want at the receiver position.
Nico Collins, Michigan
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Looked solid in one-on-ones. He had a really nice play using his leverage to go from inside to outside and make a toe-tap catch on the sideline. He has very good field awareness and the ability to make those 50-50 catches.
A very good day from Collins. He pulled down a 50-50 ball over a DB in the end zone and was frequently open all day. Good day for the former Wolverine.
Collins had a phenomenal grab in one-on-ones in the back of the end zone over Thomas Graham. He is showing all the skills needed to be a vertical threat at the next level.
Collins was a big riser. He consistently looked good in one-on-ones and showed great field awareness when making sideline catches. He’ll be a solid addition to any receiving corps.
Sage Surratt, Wake Forest
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Had a few nice plays, but also showed some mental lapses. His frame his very clearly a huge asset. He could be a Chase Claypool-type player in the right system, while also being a go-to red zone target.
Surratt limped off the field with an ankle injury, but he did come back to resume practice. He made a few catches throughout drills but nothing remarkable. We’ll see how he does tomorrow.
Did not practice today.
It was an up and down week for Surratt. He had a solid day Tuesday, and then after that we didn’t see too much of him. Surratt is one of the better receivers in the class and should be a Day 2 pick.
Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Very good lateral ability. When he is in the open field going across the middle, he is quite dangerous. He also showed very good hip movement in his breaks which helped him gain separation.
Tylan Wallace is moving up draft boards. He has great footwork and looked really good in one-on-ones, including a toe-tap catch over Tre Brown. I like what I’m seeing from Wallace.
Did not practice today.
Tylan Wallace in the open field is a problem. He is explosive with the ball in his hands and is very good at gaining separation to get targets.
National Team 2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: Tight Ends
Note: Click the tabs that correspond with each day to read the update from that practice.
Hunter Long, Boston College
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Probably the most complete tight end of the first practice. Not as fast as Kenny Yeboah, but did a good job getting down the seam and catching the ball. Also, did a real nice job blocking — solid fundamentals and strong. Wasn’t great, but steady in every area.
It was another strong day for Long. He gives effort blocking and gets good results. He also caught everything thrown in his direction. I continue to hear Long will test off the charts once given the chance to run the forty, shuttles, etc., but I see very little speed or burst in his game.
No practice report from today.
Long was one of the few underclassmen who participated in the Senior Bowl, but he distinguished himself all week. He was solid in all areas but not spectacular. Long caught the ball well and handled his blocking assignments. As mentioned earlier this week, despite the fact I’ve been told numerous times he’s going to test off the charts, assuming he gets the opportunity, Long displays limited speed and quickness on the field. Right now, I think he’s a fringe day two prospect, but that could change based on his forty time.
John Bates, Boise State
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Caught the ball exceptionally well all practice long. Natural hand catcher and snatched the ball away from his frame. Terrific blocker – in fact, the best blocking tight end on the National squad. Strong, fundamentally sound and handled all his assignments with ease. The issue with Bates? He shows little in the way of speed or quickness.
Another tough, efficient, and productive day for Bates, who caught the ball very well, and was the most dominant blocking tight end on the National Team.
Once again, Bates looked good catching the ball and blocking. And while he gets the most from his ability, the lack of speed and ability to separate will knock him down draft boards.
Bates caught the ball well and looked exceptional blocking every day. As noted several times throughout the week, he’s speed and athletic deficient. Still, he’s a good ball player and a late-round pick who will be used as a third tight end at the next level.
Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Yeboah really looked like an oversized receiver in a tight end’s body. Consistently got down the field and drew a lot of double coverage. Competed to make the tough catch in a crowd and usually came away with the ball. Very natural catching the ball. Didn’t do a great job blocking, but also did not embarrass himself — which is a plus.
Yeboah caught the ball well today. No surprise there. What was surprising was his blocking, as it was much improved from yesterday. He was standing up opponents during drills, and most importantly, Yeboah was blocking with terrific mechanics.
Yeboah looked really good today, especially catching the ball. I liked the hand combat he showed and the way he fought with his hands to separate from defenders. He was very effective with it, and it led to one nice touchdown catch.
Yeboah was everything I expected from a pass-catching point of view — natural, fluid, and reliable, with the ability to get downfield. His blocking was better than advertised as he went from not embarrassing himself early in the week to looking real good by Thursday. I believe he cemented himself as a Top 75 selection.
Tony Poljan, Virginia
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
No practice report from today.
No practice report from today.
No practice report from today.
No practice report for Tony Poljan from the Senior Bowl.
National Team 2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: Offensive Line
Note: Click the tabs that correspond with each day to read the update from that practice.
Adrian Ealy, Oklahoma
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Adrian Ealy is over 6-foot-6 and 326 pounds, but he looks and moves lighter than that. Ealy could have been more powerful at the point of attack on a couple plays, but the Oklahoma tackle clearly has a ton of functional athleticism with his size. That was especially clear when Ealy traversed to the second level on running plays. He’s a smooth mover for his size.
Yesterday, Adrian Ealy showed good mobility getting to the second level. Today, he flashed as a pass protector. Twice, he lined up against Patrick Jones. And twice, he used his anchor and play strength to render Jones inert, even after Jones gained ground with his initial explosiveness. Ealy has some legitimate potential, and he’s been one of the Senior Bowl’s more stable performers at tackle.
Adrian Ealy had a great practice on Thursday based on my Senior Bowl National Team practice report. Early on in the week, Ealy had a visibly better physical tool chest than other linemen. He moves well for his size, but today, Ealy built on that physical foundation. Ealy absorbed opposing explosions well, playing with excellent leverage for his size. He generated a lot of power in run blocking, and absolutely bulldozed Tarron Jackson on one rep, wrenching him across the field.
Time and time again, I was impressed by what I saw from Adrian Ealy. He got worked back a couple times, but he’s a well-put-together athletic specimen, and down the stretch, he supplemented that athletic profile with qualities such as grip strength, power, anchor, and leverage. He can continue to improve his hands, but Ealy had a great under-the-radar week, and played better than a few other high-profile Power Five linemen based on my National Team Senior Bowl practice reports.
Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Jaimes was a relative unknown heading into Tuesday’s practice, and he didn’t do much to change that. Jaimes has the size to make an impression in the coming days, but overall, he didn’t move the needle very often with his power, and his lacking lateral mobility was exploited on a couple pass protection reps.
Jaimes wasn’t perfect, but he did improve considerably off of his first day. He had a nice rep in running drills. He got off the line with decent quickness, and struck his opponent head-on, using his power and leverage to drive them back over five yards by the time the play was over. In pass protection, he was less consistent, and limited athleticism might be to blame. But Jaimes’ power when moving as a downhill blocker deserves some attention, and he could benefit from a move to guard.
Brenden Jaimes was a candidate for the “riser” spot on Thursday. The big-bodied blocker was steady in drills, and in one-on-ones, he held his own. He was composed against burst, and he also showed some propensity to absorb power with his frame, particularly on one rep against Odighizuwa. Jaimes also took a couple reps at guard, where his physicality transferred well..
Brenden Jaimes had a much better week than expected. The Nebraska blocker wasn’t one of the most well-known linemen coming in, but he improved each day and closed out his week of practice with a strong session on Thursday. He flashed sturdiness, well-timed hands, and play strength, and he also logged notable snaps at tackle and guard. His stock undoubtedly rose as a result of his Senior Bowl showing, and he’s firmly in the draftable range now based on my National Team practice reports.
Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Similar to Spencer Brown, Radunz had his early struggles. But the NDSU tackle rebounded, showing his resilience in the trenches. There were a few instances where his lacking density hurt him, and he’ll need to work hard to avoid getting out-muscled and out-maneuvered by FBS defenders. Nevertheless, Radunz worked his way back with impressive displays of balance and footwork in pass protection. Rebounding from adversity is important, and Radunz showed his ability to do that, on top of possessing the necessary athletic tools.
It was another fairly strong day for Dillon Radunz. As was the case on Tuesday, there were a few instances where his size hurt him. But his balance and flexibility again stood out, and he also had a noticeably strong base. His footwork helped him absorb opposing power, and he again looked crisp coming out of his stance. He logged some reps at guard, and looked very solid there.
Radunz shook the rust off during the final two days of Senior Bowl practice. The North Dakota State lineman showed more refinement with his hands, and also did very well against counters, especially on one rep against Rashad Weaver. Radunz compensated for his somewhat lacking mass with an awesome base and kept his balance well amidst adversity.
Overall, Dillon Radunz had a solid week. There were some hiccups early on, but the North Dakota State offensive lineman showed growth over the three-day stretch, and also flashed a lot of the necessary physical traits, like extension, athleticism, and flexibility. He played well in his reps at guard, implying that he might be a candidate for a position change at the NFL level. That said, I think he showed enough upside to have a future at both positions.
Jaylon Moore, Western Michigan
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Jaylon Moore had some good moments in his first practice. The Western Michigan tackle has good size, and he also flashed good balance and recovery on occasion. I’d like to see him have a more consistent get-off, but he did a good job improving his weight transfer and explosiveness out of his stance as the practice progressed.
Jaylon Moore continues to draw attention with his natural lower body mechanics and active hands. He’s a good athlete who supplements that foundation with a nice mix of secondary traits. His performance on Wednesday was about as strong as his Tuesday performance. That steadiness from day to day will be valuable for him.
Moore closed out a solid week with a good practice on Thursday. The Western Michigan offensive lineman did a nice job keeping his man in front of him on pass protecting reps, and he also displayed nice, brisk hand usage, and good leverage. There were times when Moore didn’t sustain blocks, but more often than not, he was collected. That’s always a good state for an offensive lineman to be in.
Jaylon Moore had a very nice week. He wasn’t dominant like other lesser-known linemen, but he played well in a variety of spots. His smooth footwork stole the show on a few reps. He used that footwork to maintain a steady base, and stacked active hands on top of that. His lack of elite length prevented him from sustaining blocks at times, but Moore was fluid, sturdy, and surprisingly consistent. His stock likely went up a notch after his National Team practices during Senior Bowl week.
Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Liam Eichenberg was not on the field for the National Team on Tuesday, for reasons currently unknown.
Liam Eichenberg was not present on Wednesday and will not be part of the National Team Senior Bowl practice report.
Liam Eichenberg was not present on Thursday.
Eichenberg didn’t suit up at the Senior Bowl, unfortunately, so I have no specifics from the National Team practices. It would have been nice to see him in that setting, but Eichenberg’s stock is already strong as is after a productive final season.
Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Spencer Brown certainly looks the part. At the Senior Bowl, the practice report will tell you he was visibly bigger than all the other linemen, who are also large humans. That said, it was a bit of a learning experience for Brown, who got hassled by a few defensive linemen. The Northern Iowa product has good length and athleticism, but he needs to become more consistent with his leverage and balance because he’s relatively lean for his height.
Spencer Brown appeared to have better composure on Day 2, but his leverage is still an issue. With his size and athleticism, Brown has a ton of upside. However, he tends to play too high because of that size. He needs to make an effort to get lower more consistently, or he’s going to be susceptible to imbalance, whether due to opposing power or speed. Brown did improve down the stretch, as a rep against Rashad Weaver showed. But he needs to close the week out with a strong practice.
After starting out the week somewhat rocky, Spencer Brown ended with a good day. There were a few moments where his leverage hurt him, but he’s noticeably improved with that over the course of the week. Brown played with a strong base and great hands, and he also took some reps at guard. There, his athleticism popped as he came for help in pass protection, and he also got to the second level with ease.
Spencer Brown trended up throughout the Senior Bowl’s National Team practices, which is always what you want to see. He had a bit of a rocky start and needed to adjust to improve his leverage against lower opponents. Brown managed to do that through Wednesday and Thursday. He improved his composure and was more consistent with his hands, and his tremendous athletic traits started to shine through as a result. Brown successfully validated his upside at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t take over, but he did the next best thing — he grew.
Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Meinerz played a lot of snaps at center at the first Senior Bowl practice, and overall, he played well. The bigger stage wasn’t too daunting for the Division III product. He’s certainly hard to move, and he plays with excellent leverage and physicality. His lacking length hurt him a couple times, but he’s a player to watch throughout the week.
Day 2 of National Team practice belonged to Quinn Meinerz. The Division-III product stood out against FBS competition on the interior. He’s not the longest player, but he’s strong, plays with excellent leverage and control, has a ton of power at the point of attack, and maintains good leg drive. Meinerz has picked up the center position quickly, and he’s not only playing like one of the best non-FBS linemen, but one of the best linemen, period.
By now, it’s expected that Quinn Meinerz plays like one of the best linemen at the Senior Bowl. After being named a riser on Wednesday, he didn’t disappoint. Meinerz again displayed an uncanny ability to absorb power, and he also flashed quick hands and innate lower body mechanics. His game performance will be one of great interest. If he continues to dominate, he could work himself up to unforeseen heights. After practice, it was revealed that Meinerz broke a bone in his hand and kept practicing anyway. He’s tough, and talented.
Few prospects improved their stock more than Quinn Meinerz at the Senior Bowl during the National Team practices. Meinerz was great on Tuesday and Thursday, and was near dominant during Wednesday’s session. With forceful hands, density, leverage, and impeccable balance against resistance, Meinerz rarely gave up ground in pass protection and opened up space as a run blocker. He even showcased his toughness after playing much of Thursday with a broken bone in his hand. He might be a top-100 player entering February, at the very least.
Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
The lesser of Notre Dame’s two tackles, Robert Hainsey had a decent day. He didn’t stand out a ton, but in the running game, he showed good energy and urgency reaching the second level. Hainsey has some draft appeal at the moment, and he could increase that with a strong string of practices.
Hainsey had another decent, if uninspiring day on the line. He might not have as much upside, but he flashed a lot of solid supplementary traits. Among those, Hainsey used good patience and hands in pass protection, and he also did a nice job in run blocking, showing the capacity to levy strikes and disengage with modest quickness while working to the second level. Hainsey also put a man in the dirt on one rep, fulfilling the mauler description in that moment. He’ll need to stand out more consistently, but there’s definite utility there.
After a decent first two days, Hainsey ended his week on a high note. He had a picture perfect rep against Elerson Smith in one-on-ones, using his hands to dilute Smith’s early rush and his stout base to stay center when Smith tried to get him off-balance. Later on, Hainsey also took snaps at guard in team drills. There, he displayed good awareness giving help in pass protection, and he also traversed the line well when zone blocking.
It was an effective week for Robert Hainsey. He didn’t always play his natural position, but he displayed impressive upside at offensive guard, and that’s likely what he’ll be drafted to play. Hainsey employed steady hands and a squared base in pass protection, and as a run blocker, he proved himself to be able to drive players back. He also moved effectively in zone concepts, further compounding his upside as an interior blocker with positional versatility. He profiles as a solid mid-to-late-round pick after his trip to Mobile.
Robert Jones, Middle Tennessee
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
Memphis offensive lineman Robert Jones didn’t come into Tuesday’s practice with much buzz, but he put together a few good reps. I was especially impressed by Jones’ fast feet. He did a great job keeping his base active in pass protection, and on one rep, he managed to get Rashad Weaver off-balance. Stringing together more strong plays in the future could do well for his stock.
Robert Jones is such an intriguing player. Wednesday was an up-and-down practice for him, but his strong moments were some of the best of the day along the line. He brought a lot of pop at the line of scrimmage and also flashed recovery athleticism on the edge. Additionally, he threw down Shaka Toney on one rep, using his upper body torque to finish an unbalanced opponent. On several occasions, a lack of elite lateral quickness hurt Jones against faster rushers, but he has many traits that could translate well to guard.
After flashing a bit on Wednesday, Jones wasn’t much of a player on Thursday. He didn’t see much, if any, action in team drills, and only had opportunities in early pad drills. There, he bent a little bit at the waist and didn’t make an impression.
I felt a little short-changed after watching Jones’ final day. He wasn’t involved much, and it was an underwhelming conclusion to a week that had definite flashes. Jones maintained fast feet and active hands throughout the week, and made the highlight reel with a dominant rep against Shaka Toney on Wednesday. Having said that, his athletic upside remains somewhat ambiguous, and after an empty finish, he’s still in need of more production.
Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
What else is there to expect from Creed Humphrey, other than consistency and solid play? That’s what Humphrey provided today. The Oklahoma center continues to be a steady presence with his power and leverage, and he should continue to set the standard as the week rolls on.
Ditto for Humphrey. Just as he was on Tuesday, Humphrey was solid again on Wednesday. Tarron Jackson gave him problems on one rep, but aside from that, Humphrey used his strength and leverage to put together another impressive day.
Creed Humphrey finished the week on a high note. He’s been one of the steadiest linemen at the Senior Bowl, and that continued on Thursday. When moving, he played with good drive and leverage, and he didn’t give up much space in pass protection. His stock is firmly cemented with his strong play.
Creed Humphrey got beat a couple times, but more often than not, the Oklahoma standout was stout in pass protection and workmanlike as a run blocker. He doesn’t have great length, but he played with excellent leverage and functional play strength, and he also showed good balance when absorbing opposing rushers. Humphrey’s stint in Mobile validated his 2021 NFL Draft stock, and he should remain a highly-regarded center prospect.
Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
The Notre Dame offensive line wasn’t good just because of Liam Eichenberg in 2020. Aaron Banks also contributed a great deal to the unit’s production, and he had a good day on Tuesday. There were a few hiccups, but Banks is clearly a very dense player, who shows good balance in pass protection.
Banks definitely passes the eye test, as he’s a stout blocker with good natural strength. He also flashed good leg drive with synchronous arm extensions, displaying the upper-lower synergy necessary to play on the line. That said, Banks was up and down from a diagnostic standpoint. He struggled versus burst on the outside in one-on-ones, and didn’t always show the corrective athleticism necessary to reclaim proper positioning. He’s flashed, but he has to be more consistent.
Banks didn’t stand out much on Thursday. He had a few nice plays, such as one run blocking rep where he got to the second level quickly. But Banks wasn’t impressive in drills, and he didn’t generate consistent movement. It was just an okay conclusion to a week that had its moments, but didn’t deviate much from the mean.
Aaron Banks was average to above-average all week, but he never quite got past that point based on my National Team Senior Bowl practice reports. He doesn’t have elite physical traits, both in terms of athleticism and length, and while he showcased good balance at times, he didn’t cause enough disruption toward defensive linemen to earn additional praise. There remains work to be done this weekend if Banks wants to improve his stock in Mobile.
Jake Curhan, California
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
It was an up-and-down day for California tackle Jake Curhan, but he got his name out there, which is a win for a player who didn’t have a ton of buzz coming into the event. Curhan showed potentially underrated athleticism at 6-foot-6, 323 pounds, and his length also gives him utility in the trenches. He has to be more impactful in the future to keep building, however.
Jake Curhan had a rough day for his second practice. For a lineman with his size, he got moved around way too often. There were some moments where he showed decent balance, but he’s not nearly formidable enough right now. At this moment, he’s comfortably at a tier below the other linemen in Mobile.
Curhan had a few good reps early on in the week, but he didn’t end his stint in Mobile on a high note. Curhan was again a step below his counterparts during Thursday’s practice. The California lineman showed less-than-stellar balance and also had slow, inconsistent hands. Elerson Smith and Rashad Weaver both got Curhan off-balance with ease.
For the better part of three days, Jake Curhan was unfortunately the worst offensive lineman in Mobile. He had early moments of measured success on Tuesday, but from there, it was all downhill. Curhan consistently gave up ground as a pass protector, and failed to move the needle in run blocking drills. His size might help his stock from falling into limbo, but I can’t name a Senior Bowl lineman from the National Team practices I’d draft Curhan ahead of.
James Hudson III, Cincinnati
TuesdayWednesdayThursdayAnalysis
It wasn’t a perfect day for James Hudson, but it was still a very effective showing. The Cincinnati offensive tackle showed off impressive physical traits, as well as opportunistic hands. He’s a very well-put-together prospect who has good upside. That said, he did have a minor false step on his pass protecting reps, and he can also use more consistent balance.
The upside remains tangible with Hudson. He’s a better athlete than most of his counterparts, and he has better strength than his density suggests. That said, he can still afford to be more consistent. He was a little slower shuffling out along the edge today, and his footwork might have something to do with that. He was fairly mobile when sealing off backside defenders in run blocking, and he also put Jonathon Cooper in the dirt on one rep. He still needs to string a completely solid day together, but he’s showing traits.
For another day, Hudson flashed traits, but was still a bit inconsistent. He showed decent lateral athleticism versus Shaka Toney and also displayed good leg drive to supplement his extension. That said, Hudson wasn’t very refined with his weight transfer, and there were a couple plays where he got caught lurching, and didn’t recover with quickness. Hudson did show good grip strength at times, but he never quite put things together, even amidst flashes.
Things never quite clicked for James Hudson at the Senior Bowl, but he flashed upside every day, and put together a few stellar reps for scouts to reflect back on. He has a promising, if unrefined athletic foundation, and his 11-inch hands afforded him impressive grip strength, especially on reps where he was able to get his opponent off-balance with hand punches. Hudson wasn’t necessarily a standout, but he did what he needed to do ahead of a projective exercise like the draft. He proved that he could be worth an investment.