The pre-draft process leading up into the 2020 NFL draft is headed to Mobile, AL, for the Senior Bowl. This event is one of the biggest college football all-star games that will feature the most prolific prospects in the country.
This week will draw the attention of many Chargers’ scouts, coach Anthony Lynn, and general manager Tom Telesco to do their homework on players that could potentially be suitors for Los Angeles come April.
Last year this event brought in safety Nasir Adderley and linebacker Drue Tranquill. The year before that the team found linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, defensive tackle Justin Jones, linebacker Kyzir White and center Scott Quessenberry in the game.
It all starts tomorrow with weigh-ins/measurements, three days of practices and finally, the game on Saturday. I’ll be in attendance, constantly giving updates throughout the week.
With that being said, here are 12 players to keep an eye out on the offensive side of the ball.
QB Justin Herbert, Oregon – South Team
Herbert is the most polarizing prospect going into this week. The 6-foot-5 and 237 pounder has all the physical traits that you would want in an NFL quarterback. Herbert’s arm talent is special. Not only can he deliver a beautiful deep ball, but he is sound when throwing outside the pocket, where he will move around, set his feet and deliver a dime. Though it wasn’t on display that much this past season, Herbert can beat defenses with his legs. Consistency and accuracy is the knock on him. While Herbert can make big plays at any given moment, some of the easy ones are missed. The former Oregon product should benefit from a strong wide receiver group this week, where he could unlock what he’s truly capable of doing at the next level.
QB Jordan Love, Utah State – North Team
After an outstanding 2018 season, the production dropped dramatically for Love. While some questioning the box score, the upside is there. The 6-foot-4 and 225 quarterback has the arm strength, talent, athleticism and physical traits that easily translates to the next level. According to the Athletic’s Dane Brugler, one scout even used the term “Mahomes-like” to describe his skill set. Currently being stamped as a mid-late first-round option, Love could skyrocket up the draft board with a strong showing this week.
RB Joshua Kelly, UCLA – North Team
If the Chargers move on from Melvin Gordon, finding another back to compliment Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson – but they could afford to do so on Day 3, given how deep the position is in this year’s class. Kelly finished his stint with the Bruins with 2,303 yards and 24 touchdowns on 454 attempts. Kelly, the 5-foot-11 and 219 pounder, is a physical, downhill runner with good vision, contact balance and burst when he gets in the open field.
RB Lamical Perine, Florida – South Team
This marks a homecoming for the Mobile native. At 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds, Perine, the cousin of former Oklahoma and current Redskins running back Samaje Perine, is a tough downhill runner that wins with his pure physicality, vision and balance. Another plus is that he is a solid blocker who can protect on third down, and he can contribute in the short area passing game, as he hauled in 40 passes and five touchdowns through the air this past season.
WR Devin Duvernay, Texas – South Team
A high school track star in the state of Texas, Duvernay is a deep threat and an effective short area receiver. Built like a running back, Duvernay possesses the explosiveness and long speed to beat defenders, sticky hands, vision, and blue-collar toughness. In four seasons for the Longhorns, Duvernay posted 176 receptions for 2,468 yards (14 yards per catch) and 16 touchdowns. The 5-foot-10 and 210 pounder also offers special teams value because of his runaway speed and tackle-breaking ability.
WR Quartney Davis, Texas A&M – North Team
Davis came on the map after an impressive campaign for the Aggies this past season. The 6-foot-2 and 202 pounder caught 54 passes for 616 yards and four touchdowns in 2019. Davis possesses very good speed, quickness and acceleration, where he gets open with ease and is an absolute terror in the open space. He competes in his routes and plays tough, projecting as a solid No. 3 receiver at the next level with No. 2 WR upside.
OT Josh Jones, Houston – North Team
Jones, a four-year starter for the Cougars, is a former basketball star whose traits from that sport are very visible on the football field. He has the footwork, flexibility and knee bend to flourish in pass protection, as well as the strength to move defenders in the run game. Jones played at both left and right tackle in his four-year stint, so he has the ability to man the right side for Los Angeles and kick over to the other side when Russell Okung’s time is up.
OT Matt Peart, UConn – North Team
Peart, the 6-foot-7 and 302 pound offensive tackle, also has a basketball background. Peart, the Jamaica native, possesses the movement skills, footwork, and agility where he blocks with terrific leverage for a man of his height. He shows the ability to hit a moving target or adjust to knock speed rushers from their angle. Peart uses his long 35.25-inch arms to keep opponents away, and his strong and powerful hands to gain inside leverage – even though he can tend to be grabby. The former UConn product could land within the top-75 with a strong outing in Mobile.
OG Ben Bredeson, Michigan – North Team
The interior part of the offensive line is likely to get revamped. Guard Michael Schofield is an unrestricted free agent after this season, the future of Forrest Lamp is unknown after struggling to stay healthy and Dan Feeney has been up-and-down. Bredeson has plug-and-play traits. He looks the part at 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds and checks the necessary NFL boxes with his size athleticism, strength, intelligence, where he shines both as a pass protector and a run blocker.
OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn – South Team
Wanogho left Nigeria when he was 16 years old with NBA and Olympic swimmer aspirations, but he made an impact playing high school football. Wanogho, the 6-foot-7 and 305 pound offensive tackle, is still raw, given the fact that he’s been playing football for only five years. But he is athletically gifted and he possesses the physical traits to develop into a solid starting tackle at the next level in Year 1.
OG John Simpson, Clemson – South Team
Simpson, the 6-foot-4 and 336 pound guard, possesses the competitiveness and character that the Chargers should covet. The former high school state wrestler has extremely strong hands and does whatever it takes to finish his blocks as a run blocker. He has a really powerful anchor and sound technique in pass protection.
OG Logan Stenberg, Kentucky – South Team
Stenberg, the 6-foot-6 and 322 pound guard, is physical interior blocker with heavy hands, body control in the run game, and solid mirror skills in the pass game. He is an aggressive player who competes at a high level, plays with good toughness and grit, and shows an ability to finish blocks with a mauler temperament.