Now that the 2022 Senior Bowl, the most premier all-star game for NFL draft prospects is over, it is time to reflect back on the meaning of the week.
Which players on the defensive side of the ball helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile?
Let’s dive in with our winners and risers.
Defensive tackle
Our winner(s): Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma) and Devonte Wyatt (Georgia)
Winfrey entered this week with a mixed bag of reviews, as the tape showed immense flashes but it was on an inconsistent basis. That wasn’t the case down in Mobile. Winfrey consistently lived in the backfield with his get-off, remarkable power, and lengthy arms. His electric energy throughout the sessions really stood out, too. Winfrey was named the Senior Bowl MVP after pairing three tackles for a loss with two sacks in the game.
Jordan Davis drew nearly all the attention for the Bulldogs, but Wyatt was just as impactful and he showed that when the spotlight was on him. In one-on-ones, Wyatt won with first-step quickness, lateral agility, and power at the point of attack. Reminiscent of Kenny Clark coming out of UCLA, Wyatt could find himself as a first-round pick when all is said and done.
Our biggest riser: Travis Jones (UConn)
If the Chargers pass up on Davis, who many are projecting to them, Jones is a nose tackle that can provide excellent value on Day 2. A straight-up bulldozer in one-on-ones, Jones consistently walked offensive linemen back to the quarterback with pure power and burst. In team drills, Jones was collapsing the pocket and stopping ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. There’s plenty of excitement surrounding Jones now.
Edge defender
Our winner(s): Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)
Entering the week, I had Johnson a fringe first-round pick, but he stamped himself as a top-20 selection. Offensive tackles had no rebuttal for his power and length, as well as some hand counters and agility when working either inside or outside of them. Further, Johnson looked good when defending the run. With the edge defender position set to be near the top of the Chargers’ priority list this offseason, Johnson is a strong candidate at pick No. 17.
Our biggest riser: Boye Mafe (Minnesota)
In a deep edge defender group, Mafe flew under the radar coming into the week. However, he made sure his presence was known coming out. All but unblockable, Mafe won with his wingspan to lockout and power to push blockers into the backfield, as well as great lateral agility and body flexibility to keep himself clean. He carried that over to the game, finishing with a strip-sack, a second sack, and a tackle for loss. An athletic specimen, Mafe’s stock is only going to continue to rise when he tests at the Combine.
Linebacker
Our winner(s): Damone Clark (LSU)
Utah’s Devin Lloyd and Georgia’s Nakobe Dean are the consensus top linebackers and behind them are a few candidates vying for the spot. Clark made a strong case to be LB3. Leading the pack in run stops during practices, Clark was explosive when attacking downhill. He was just as effective blitzing, especially in a one-on-one rep against one of the top pass-protecting running backs in Alabama’s Brian Robinson, as Clark shrugged him off with ease. Another thing going for Clark is that he should test out well athletically at the Combine.
Our biggest riser: Troy Andersen (Montana State)
There were many eyes on the small-school standout who made the conversion from quarterback/running back/wide receiver to linebacker, and his play raised their eyebrows. With his impressive athleticism, Andersen looked comfortable dropping back and making plays in coverage. His speed and range enabled him to move freely from sideline to sideline and make stops on opposing ball carriers. Andersen also showed plenty of special teams upside, as he was consistently the first guy down the field on coverage units.
Cornerback
Our winners: Coby Bryant (Cincinnati) and Roger McCreary (Auburn)
The 2022 Thorpe Award winner was by far the highest-profile player in the National group of defensive backs. Bryant demonstrated why he earned that accolade by blanketing receivers in one-on-one matchups with patient press coverage and rising to the catch point to bat away passes using rare ball skills. A consistent performer across all three days of practices, Bryant’s small hiccups in the Senior Bowl game should not be what NFL scouts remember from watching him perform in Mobile.
Another player who surprised with his measurements was McCreary with his 29” arms, which is significantly below average the target threshold for outside cornerbacks. But McCreary looked like the same player on the practice field as he did on tape, staying in the hip pocket of the receiver and smothering the throwing window. McCreary posted six interceptions and 30 pass breakups in his college football career. The shorter reach obviously did not hamper his production much.
Our biggest riser: Damarri Mathis (Pittsburgh)
Mathis flew under the radar in the National team group, but the Pitt cornerback left an impression on many as a scrappy cover man in isolation reps. Mathis was diligent in combating receivers off the line and did not bite on any ornamental moves during the release. He kept receivers close down the stem and consistently put himself in position to contest for the ball.
Safety
Our winner(s): Jalen Pitre (Baylor) and Leon O’Neal (Texas A&M)
A hybrid defender that played the safety, linebacker, and slot cornerback positions at Baylor, Pitre was deployed in a similar “star” role at the Senior Bowl. Pitre struggled on the first day guarding some of the more physical tight ends like Colorado State’s Trey McBride, but showed growth over the rest of the week in coverage and as a box defender. In interviews, he expressed his belief that the NFL is transitioning toward positionless defense and is confident his variety of talents and versatility will benefit any team.
O’Neal played both free and strong safety positions and was a tough defender to slip past in the run game. An aggressive player that does not hesitate to lay the hammer on opponents, O’Neal also showed he had the quickness to stick with receivers in man coverage. His closing speed and physicality make him a desirable tone-setter.
Our biggest riser: Kerby Joseph (Illinois)
Joseph took all four years to grow into the player that competed in Mobile, and the case can be made that he has yet to reach his ceiling as a prospect. Joseph is instinctive and ball-hungry, zooming around the field with urgency to disrupt the play. His athleticism and raw potential were on full display at the Senior Bowl and just needs refinement to become a key cog in secondaries at the next level.