The pre-draft process leading up into the 2021 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 Brandon Staley, 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 quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Joshua Kelley, safety Alohi Gilman and wide receiver K.J. Hill. The year before that the team found safety Nasir Adderley and linebacker Drue Tranquill.
It all starts with 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.
OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Leatherwood elected to return for his senior season, and was arguably the nation’s best left tackle. Leatherwood, a consensus First Team All-American and winner of the 2020 Outland Trophy, made 48 starts for the Crimson Tide with 13 of them coming at right guard in 2018. Leatherwood is an excellent blindside blocker who possesses a wide base, clamps as hands and the physicality to grow into a very reliable tackle or guard at the next level.
OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
Notre Dame has done a fine job of producing quality NFL offensive line and Eichenberg is next in line. Arguably one of the most consistent left tackles over the past two seasons, on over 900 pass-blocking snaps in that span, Eichenberg allowed only 27 pressures. He possesses smooth movement skills, is strong at the point of attack, using physical hands to occupy pass rushers. A mauler in the run game, Eichenberg plays the game with a mean streak.
OT Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa
After starting 32 of 33 games, Brown decided to sit out of his final season due to the delay until the spring because of COVID-19. Towering at 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds, Brown has the combination of size, length and athleticism to thrive at the next level. The former tight end is a mirroring magician in pass protection and is an outstanding run blocker. He needs to develop more power and the finer details to the position, but he could end up being a steal.
OT Alaric Jackson, Iowa
Jackson put himself on the NFL radar dating back to his freshman season, starting at left tackle over Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs. Jackson suffered a knee injury that injured the majority of his 2019 campaign, but he took a major step forward in his final year. While he needs to get stronger and clean up his footwork and hands, Jackson has the length, reactive athleticism and run blocking prowess to become a high upside tackle at the next level.
OL Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
Playing next to Eichenberg, Banks started the last 30 games for the Fighting Irish at left guard. Banks allowed just two sacks in 844 snaps as a junior. The first-team All-American is a good-sized smooth-moving mauler as both a run blocker and pass protector who won’t lose many one-on-one battles. Banks has a mammoth body type with 330 pounds neatly packed on his frame, using his mitts like powerful vice grips to latch-and-control. Banks has the versatility to play both guard spots and even left tackle at the next level.
OL Quinn Meinerz, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Meinerz, the 6-foot-3 and 320 pound guard, is capable of being this year’s Ben Bartch (Jaguars), a former Division III player who gets drafted and plays a significant role in the NFL. 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. Overpowering the small-school competition, Meinerz will have the opportunity to show that he’s capable of stymieing some of the top interior talent.
OL Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
Humphrey started the final 26 games of his career, earning Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year honors for the second time this season. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Humphrey earned second-team AP All-America honors in 2019. Humphrey isn’t the most athletic lineman, but toughness, instincts and consistency in pass protection and the run-blocking department are starter quality at center.
OT James Hudson, Cincinatti
Hudson, the first-team All-American Athletic Conference, didn’t give up a single sack this season and allowed just six total pressures at left tackle for the Bearcats, per Pro Football Focus. While his technique is still a work in progress, his lower body athleticism, wide base, aggressive hands and competitive temperament to stay square to rushers are NFL-ready.
TE Hunter Long, Boston College
Even if Hunter Henry is re-signed, the Chargers could afford to end a reliable and consistent No. 2 tight end. Long is a smart, willing blocker who shows athleticism in his routes, has very good speed, and chunk yardage creation after the catch, possessing the ability to be a monster off of play action. He finished his stint with the Eagles with 89 catches for 1,297 yards and nine touchdowns.
TE Tony Poljan, Virginia
Poljan played quarterback at Central Michigan, before converting to tight end. Upon making the positional change, he amassed 71 catches, 907 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Poljan has a large catch radius, soft hands, and enough speed to produce at the next level, but he will have to work on his blocking to become at a complete player.
WR Shi Smith, South Carolina
The Chargers have talent in the wide receiver room, but they could afford to get more explosive at the position. In his Gamecock career, Smith appeared in 42 games, posting 171 receptions for 2,176 yards and 13 scores. Smith is a crafty route runner who has the speed, quickness, and yards after the catch ability to be a solid contributor at the next level.
WR Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
After tearing his ACL in 2019, Wallace bounced back in a big way this past season, finishing the 2020 season as the leading receiver in the Big 12 Conference with 922 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games played. The 6-foot and 185 pound wideout has the natural speed and ease of movement to be a home run threat any time he touches the ball. He also possesses great leaping ability, constantly winning contested situations.