Players to Watch at the Senior Bowl
I know the draft process makes some people want to puke, but some of us enjoy it as a part of fandom. There’s no better way to kick-off things off than the nationally-televised practices for the 2020 Senior Bowl, which began this week in preparation for Saturday’s game. All week long, players have had the chance to either benefit or damage their draft stocks with all 32 teams on hand.
The Green Bay Packers are one of those teams and are particularly more invested following Sunday’s embarrassing loss at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers. If the Packers want to be busy at practice next year while the Senior Bowl is taking place, they have to make some key additions this offseason to be one of the final teams playing on Super Bowl Sunday.
Now that Green Bay is officially in offseason mode, their scouts will be keeping an eye on a few difference-making prospects during Saturday’s Senior Bowl. Here are a few who have already stood out:
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor (North Team)
Wide receiver is atop the list for the Packers’ needs. While Davante Adams is a great no.1, Aaron Rodgers needs a true second option he can go to regularly. Mims is expected to be a strong X or Z receiver at the next level following three productive years at Baylor. Mims’ best traits are his combination of speed and size (6-3, 205). He also possesses a wide catch radius and effortless ability to track the ball in the air. Mims projects best as a day-two prospect come April.
The arm bar by Denzel Mims to hold Troy Pride Jr. away from the catchpoint was one of the most advanced WR techniques we’ve seen in Mobile this week pic.twitter.com/7brMzdZDiQ
— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) January 23, 2020
Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina (South Team)
Like Adams, Kenny Clark could use a running-mate. Clark has gotten better every year in Green Bay, but the defensive line struggled without a second viable player next to him. South Carolina’s Kinlaw has the promising look to be that guy. Kinlaw has been one of the most dominant players at the 2020 Senior Bowl, winning in one on ones in an almost easy fashion. He’s extremely explosive and has violent hands to disengage from blockers at-will. If he somehow slips to the end of the first round or to a pick range worth trading up for, I don’t see how Green Bay could pass him up.
oh my god, javon kinlaw pic.twitter.com/O5K389DdOd
oh my god, javon kinlaw pic.twitter.com/O5K389DdOd
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) January 21, 2020
Francis Bernard, ILB, Utah (North Team)
The last piece to the puzzle might be finding an inside linebacker to replace Blake Martinez. Martinez’s rookie contract is up, and the NFL-leading tackler performance against the 49ers failed to warrant much hope in paying him a second contract. If the Packers want to try again through the draft, Bernard is worth consideration. The Utes had one of the strongest defenses in the country in large part because of Bernard’s play in the middle of the defense. As a former college running back, Bernard understands what he’s seeing in the backfield and can diagnose efficiently. His athleticism stands out as well, as he appears comfortable dropping into coverage. Bernard hauled in five interceptions in two seasons playing at linebacker and finished with 13 tackles for loss. Right now, he appears to be a day-three prospect but could climb the ranks if he impresses throughout the pre-draft process.
Utah LB Francis Bernard impressed all season long for the Utes. In a league that's getting faster, your linebackers better be able to cover. Bernard handles coverage responsibilities exceptionally well. pic.twitter.com/l64gFY65Yb
— Gavino Borquez (@GavinoBorquez) January 23, 2020
Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.
Comments (25)
CAG123
January 24, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Man no way Kinlaw is still there at 30 I doubt he makes it outside the top 12 the rest I can see being there at 30 and into the second
albert999
January 24, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Never heard of these guys but they look like pretty good prospects for later rounds
Handsback
January 24, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Mims is holding court and has been compared to a Mike Thomas type player. He has excellent body control.
Kinlaw...really? No way he makes it to 30. If Green Bay wants to trade up ( not a bad decision) for him...that would be great.
Bernard is a good prospect. Day three is about right from what I have heard.
murf7777
January 25, 2020 at 07:37 am
The trade up would be too great as I’ve seen him in the top 10 on multiple mock drafts. That’s too bad as he looks to be just what we need.
4zone
January 24, 2020 at 12:56 pm
You forgot a now or future RT.
KeepErMovin
January 24, 2020 at 03:11 pm
Keep an eye on Josh Jones from Houston at OT.
jannesbjornson
January 24, 2020 at 04:58 pm
Not a run blocking team.
HankScorpio
January 24, 2020 at 04:36 pm
The guys at The Draft Network said Ben Bartch from St. Johns handled the step up in competition well.
HankScorpio
January 25, 2020 at 03:24 pm
Two guys that have definitely not show well in the game are Calvin Throckmorton and Terrance Steele. If you're looking for gift ideas for Jalen Hurts, a dart board with their picture on it is a good option.
On the other side, the North O-line was giving Shea Patterson all day.
stockholder
January 24, 2020 at 01:24 pm
I have the Packers taking all Jrs. in the first 4 rounds. Rt is the easy Fix.
Lare
January 24, 2020 at 01:37 pm
The Packers need current & future starters (WR, ILB, DL,TE,OL) they'll have to do their due diligence to find them drafting so late in every round.
jannesbjornson
January 24, 2020 at 04:59 pm
trade up, trade players for picks, Get Talent and figure out Where they Fit ,later. Drafting to fit scheme is a joke.
Archie
January 24, 2020 at 04:00 pm
I'll be watching Bernard.
alinger84
January 24, 2020 at 05:37 pm
Keep an eye on K.J. Hill
frankthefork
January 29, 2020 at 10:26 am
Agree a 3 rd pick for Pack would be a steal, he may go in the late 2nd rd...a return man too.
Lphill
January 24, 2020 at 06:00 pm
M Adams and Burks seem to me trending down, I wonder if it’s the position coaches that need upgrading,? Some here keep saying tight end is a need, yes but Sternberger is the future starting now, so that is not a priority as much as linebacker and D line and receiver. Again I will say Begelman from Canada is a big deal he will be there with Adams, Lazard, St Brown and others , check out his film from the CFL.
albert999
January 24, 2020 at 07:52 pm
Begelton
jeremyjjbrown
January 24, 2020 at 09:22 pm
Adams neess to hit the weights hard. He isn't strong enough. He looks good in preseason and camp but when he's in a real game he gets pushed around. He needs a lot more anchor to get playing time.
buddrow53
January 24, 2020 at 06:20 pm
Senior Bowl practice analysis North team.
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2020-reeses-senior-bowl-practice-repo...
South team
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2020-reeses-senior-bowl-practice-repo...
Good info
albert999
January 24, 2020 at 07:49 pm
I love Begelman.....He’s gonna be our sleeper!
albert999
January 24, 2020 at 07:52 pm
Sorry Begelton......my bad....he’s a really good WR that’s gonna compete with everyone and I believe gonna be a big surprise
Fubared
January 24, 2020 at 08:28 pm
Gutt probably has already made his mind up. None of the senior bowl or combine matter. Considering he said he already knew Gary was his guy in Feb before the combine says we should probably keep our expectation bar low.
Considering who was available at 12. OUCH
Boneman
January 25, 2020 at 05:15 am
Tough to think we are going to get an impact player at pick 30 when we failed to get one at pick 12...
murf7777
January 25, 2020 at 07:43 am
Teams get impact players throughout the draft not just the first round. Teams also lay an egg in the first round as much if not more so then finding An impact player. You never know where an impact player is going to come from. As Albert said maybe the guy from the CFL.
The_Justicar
January 25, 2020 at 06:48 am
I’d like to see the pack draft WR van Jefferson in the 3-4th round. While not a blazer, what he does do is run precise routes. This is something that would help earn Rodgers trust from day 1 which is important because difficult to get a lot of playing time and contribute as a rookie and I think Jefferson could actually help from day 1. I also like that his dad Sean Jefferson was a WR in the nfl and a current nfl WR coach so Van should definitely be prepared. He also played in the SEC and was a gunner on special teams so has that experience as well. He has been a standout performer at the senior bowl and was named the outstanding WR for the south team after practices concluded.
Below are some quotes from senior bowl practice this week about his performance. I’d like to see the packers draft a WR in round 1 and take Jefferson with a mid round pick as we need an infusion of talent. And if we ignore WR early to grab d line or ILB then definitely need a Jefferson type wr in 3rd or 4th.
“In all three days of practice, Jefferson consistently stood out in both one-on-one and team drills, given his route running prowess and good hands. Jefferson primarily served as an outside receiver during the week, and thrived running short-to-intermediate routes, getting open early and often to become each South team quarterback's favorite option.
Jefferson also contributed deep on occasion but dealt with some overthrows that ended up going incomplete as well. Notably, Jefferson made an impressive catch on a deep post route in double coverage during Wednesday's practice, which riled up the crowd of scouts, coaches, media, and fans alike.”
“Jefferson came in as the best route-runner at this event and he showed it off in full force today,” Pro Football Network posted Monday evening. “He dominated every rep he took and caught the ball well. He seemed to generate a ton of buzz as the day went on and really skyrocketed his stock.”