Tag: 2021 Senior Bowl

Here’s who Bleacher Report believes the Bears should covet at Senior Bowl

Bleacher Report thinks the Bears should be paying close attention to Tennessee iOL Trey Smith at the Senior Bowl.

The Chicago Bears have plenty of needs heading into the 2021 season, and they’ll be looking to address them in the NFL draft. The lone opportunity for teams to get an in-person look at these prospects comes at the Senior Bowl, where some of the best players in the country showcased their skills in practice and will do the same in the game on Saturday.

The Bears will be looking to the draft for offensive linemen to shore up one of the team’s biggest needs. While Chicago appears to have a bright future on the interior of the line — with Cody Whitehair, James Daniels, Sam Mustipher and even Alex Bars — it certainly doesn’t hurt to look for some depth at the position.

Bleacher Report believes the one prospect the Bears should be paying very close attention to at the Senior Bowl is Tennessee interior offensive lineman Trey Smith.

Chicago should pay close attention to Trey Smith. At 6’5″ and 331 pounds, he has massive size for a prospect who projects best as an interior offensive lineman. His lack of lateral agility and athleticism will make it difficult for him to handle the responsibilities of an NFL tackle, but his play strength and aggressiveness would make him an appealing offensive guard.

Smith has the power and mentality to dominate as a run-blocker, and he’s an adequate pass-blocker with decent hand usage and a solid anchor. He tends to pop up out of his stance too much and needs to focus on staying low, but he’s still capable of winning in the trenches.

Obviously offensive tackle remains the biggest need on the offensive line, especially with Bobby Massie primed to be a cap casualty this offseason. The Bears have paid their tackles Massie and Charles Leno well, but they haven’t exactly lived up to their deals.

Smith is just one of many prospects the Bears have likely had an eye on this week at the Senior Bowl.

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Senior Bowl: How to watch, highlights of the week from Sam Ehlinger and Ta’Quon Graham

Take a look at the highlights of the week from former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham.

Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham will be participating in the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl live on NFL Network on Saturday. Continue reading “Senior Bowl: How to watch, highlights of the week from Sam Ehlinger and Ta’Quon Graham”

Report: Bears have met with RB Michael Carter at Senior Bowl

The Bears are searching for depth at running back, and they met with North Carolina’s Michael Carter at the Senior Bowl.

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David Montgomery had his breakout season for the Chicago Bears in the final half of the season, but there’s still a concern about depth behind Montgomery moving forward.

Which is why it makes sense that the Bears have been scouting some of the country’s best running backs at the Senior Bowl that could serve as depth behind Montgomery.

According to BearReport.com’s Zack Pearson, the Bears spoke with North Carolina running back Michael Carter on Thursday at the Senior Bowl.

Here’s what NFL Draft Diamond’s Damond Talbot had to say about Carter.

I have fallen in love with Michael Carter from North Carolina. He is one of the best all around running backs in the NFL Draft. NFL teams want a player who can play Special Teams and a player that can play all four downs. Michael Carter is that guy. He is a solid return man, has great hands out the backfield and is hard to bring down as a ball carrier. Overall, this kid is flying up my draft board, where is he on the NFL’s radar? We will find out soon.

Last season, the Bears turned to receiver-turned-running back Cordarrelle Patterson to serve as Montgomery’s back-up, and Ryan Nall and Artavis Pierce were used sparingly.

Regardless if Chicago re-signs Patterson, the Bears would do well to bring in a young running back to develop behind Montgomery. And perhaps that’s Carter.

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Report: Bears met with WR Tylan Wallace at Senior Bowl

Receiver will certainly be a focus for the Bears in the draft, and they’re doing their homework on Tylan Wallace at the Senior Bowl.

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With Allen Robinson’s future in question, wide receiver will certainly be a focus for the Bears in this year’s draft. With questions surrounding Anthony Miller, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley, rookie Darnell Mooney is the only dependable receiver on Chicago’s roster if they let Robinson walk.

The Senior Bowl has been the perfect opportunity for the Bears to scout some of the country’s top wideouts, and they’re certainly making receiver a priority.

According to BearReport.com’s Zack Pearson, the Bears spoke with Oklahoma State receiver Tylan Wallace on Thursday at the Senior Bowl.

Wallace is a speedy receiver that’s a great route runner and succeeds in contested situations. Last season, he had 59 receptions for 922 yards with a 15.6-yard average and seven touchdowns. Wallace is someone the Bears could potentially land on Day 2.

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Dolphins’ coaching approach shines during Senior Bowl

Dolphins’ coaching approach shines during Senior Bowl

The Miami Dolphins have to be thrilled with the showcase the 2021 Senior Bowl has provided them. Not just from an evaluation perspective and looking at NFL Draft prospects, but also the showcase that has been afforded on how the Dolphins conduct their business on the practice field. During Wednesday’s second day of practices, the Dolphins saw several assistant coaches taking center stage on ESPNU’s broadcast of the event — including one of Miami’s in-house candidates to fill the offensive coordinator role.

One segment in particular jumped out as Eric Studesville’s running backs clashed with Anthony Campanile’s linebackers in a pass protection 1 on 1 drill — and both Campanile and Studesville’s hands-on coaching and directives were provided via microphone for the listening audience to here.

Miami’s entire approach to building a team is centered around player development. Brian Flores wants and covets coaches who can teach, educate and communicate clearly — both Campanile and Studesville offered insight on what that process looks like for the Dolphins with their session with the National roster. The session was intense and physical with plenty of action and corrections being made on the fly. But Gerald Alexander, another one of Miami’s coaches, really showcased the energetic side of the staff.

It was just one year ago that the Dolphins plucked Alexander from the college ranks and he’s clearly got a bright future ahead of him as a coach at whatever level he desires. His best moment as a coach captured on camera yesterday came when Washington’s Keith Taylor Jr. got frustrated after losing a coverage rep and bumped his receiver to the ground after the fact. Alexander was quick to act, quick to advise and helped refocus the corner by reminding him to keep his composure.

The ESPNU broadcast had plenty to say about the American team’s head coach, Matt Rhule, for being everywhere during the second practice, but Flores not getting that same attention is a testament to his own coaching style — Flores is an organized delegator and he trusts his position coaches to tackle their objectives.

In all, Wednesday was a strong showcase for Miami. Both in evaluating talent and showing their coaching prowess.

Senior Bowl: Day 1 notes on Sam Ehlinger and Ta’Quon Graham

One NFL Draft analyst noticed improvements in Sam Ehlinger’s game throughout the first Senior Bowl practice.

Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham checked in for the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl game this week and went through their first practice on Tuesday. Continue reading “Senior Bowl: Day 1 notes on Sam Ehlinger and Ta’Quon Graham”

Senior Bowl: 10 defensive linemen for the Eagles to watch

Here are 10 defensive linemen for the Eagles to watch at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles will face legit salary cap questions heading into the 2021 offseason and if the Birds move on from Brandon Graham or Derek Barnett, the defensive line could become a position of need.

The NFL draft starts in Mobile, and there are some heavyweight pass rushers and defensive linemen in attendance.

Here are 10 that Howie Roseman and company should keep an eye on.

2021 Senior Bowl: Film observations from day one

The first day of Senior Bowl practices is in the books. After watching all of the practice film, Mark Schofield has some observations.

Like everything else in the world, the Reese’s Senior Bowl is a bit different this year due to COVID-19. For the first time in six years I am not in attendance, but that does not mean we cannot evaluate the players who are participating. Thanks to Executive Director Jim Nagy and the rest of the Senior Bowl staff we have access to all of the practice film.

After a late night – and an early morning – of film-watching here are some observations from the first day of Senior Bowl practices. As Tuesday is more of a baseline day, these are not “winners and losers,” but more players that stood out and in some cases require more film study.

Watch: Dolphins RB coach works on-field with Najee Harris

Watch: Dolphins RB coach works on-field with Najee Harris

The Miami Dolphins’ golden ticket for the 2021 NFL Draft is already paying dividends. Miami’s coaches took the field yesterday from Mobile, Alabama to partake in the first of three days of coaching for this year’s Senior Bowl event. And, for one prospect in particular, the day’s events could help net millions of dollars come April.

While that can technically be said about plenty of players who can build their stock, the Miami Dolphins have an extra special interest in one Najee Harris — the Alabama running back who steamrolled through defenses this year and just so happens to be one of the best friends of Miami’s franchise quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. And Harris, it seems, has a mutual interest in Miami; otherwise he may have been more selective with his approach to this process. Harris, it was reported by NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks, is here partaking in this week’s events against the advice of his representation.

The Dolphins are noticing.

With practice yesterday, Miami head coach Brian Flores made sure to swing over and get a good look at Harris, working alongside the rest of the running backs on the National team roster. And Eric Studesville, one of the internal candidates for offensive coordinator, worked to put the group through their paces.

This. This is what the Senior Bowl is all about. And this is why the Senior Bowl is so important. Because come April, the Miami Dolphins will be able to draw back onto their hands on experiences with talents such as Harris and be able to recollect how quickly they processed information, how attentive they were to the details, how easily coached they were by the supporting staff the Dolphins have in place.

For Najee Harris, the chance to come to Mobile and compete, even if it was against the advice of his agent, was the same golden opportunity that the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, DeVonta Smith, chose to strike and take advantage of. But Harris’ impression on the Dolphins goes a layer (or ten) deeper because Harris is actually strapping up the pads and he’s actually working through drills on the field with Studesville and the rest of the staff.

The Dolphins, along with Najee Harris, will be back in action on the field from Mobile this afternoon for Day 2 of Senior Bowl practices. And you can be sure that Brian Flores will be keeping a watchful eye on the Crimson Tide’s star — just as he was yesterday.

If the Dolphins like what they see enough, we could be talking about a top-20 selection for the Dolphins in April.

A look at the defensive backs participating in the 2021 Senior Bowl

Here’s a look at the cornerbacks and safeties that will be participating in the 2021 Senior Bowl.

With the 2020 season in the books, the Chicago Bears’ attention shifts to the offseason, including the 2021 NFL Draft.

Which means it’s almost time for the Senior Bowl, which kicks off later this month in Mobile. The Bears should certainly be looking to bring in some young cornerbacks and safeties in this draft, and they’ll get a good look at some of them here.

Here’s a look at the defensive backs that will be participating in the 2021 Senior Bowl.