The National team took the spotlight this morning in the second day of Senior Bowl practices, it was the American team’s turn this afternoon. It was another great day of practice for each team, with some heated battles in both the one-on-one sessions and in team practices.
Managing editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Mobile, and is providing us with some valuable insights on more than 100 NFL draft prospects battling to improve their draft stock this week.
Here are 13 takeaways Forness had from the American team’s practice in this afternoon’s Senior Bowl session.
Kris Abrams-Drain shows off in 1-on-1s
Missouri defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine has been somewhat unheralded coming into the Senior Bowl practices, but he flashed some nice coverage skills in the 1-on-1 session with a nice pass breakup against Southeast Missouri WR Ryan Flournoy.
PBU by Missouri CB Kris Abrams-Draine against Southeast Missouri WR Ryan Flournoy #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/y2vkbf2Wdc
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 31, 2024
Jha'Quan Jackson making a name for himself
One of the smaller school stars to watch coming into this year’s Senior Bowl was Tulane wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson, and he showed why on the second day of practice. Jackson showed off impressive route-running ability, showing sudden explosion. He also flashed a deceptive double-move, gaining immediate separation in the 1-on-1 drills.
Tulane WR Jha'Quan Jackson had a good showcase of what he brings to NFL teams. Speed, burst, quickness, and he’s going to be a good YAC player. Physicality hinders him, but he had a good day pic.twitter.com/YUilIrjIHb
— Daniel Harms🏈 (@InHarmsWay19) January 31, 2024
Joe Milton continues to struggle
After a rough start to the week yesterday, Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton was surely looking to come out strong today and redeem himself. Unfortunately, today’s practice was more of the same for the Volunteers product. The biggest factor today was Milton’s continued struggle to find consistency with his ball placement.
I'm intrigued by Tennessee QB Joe Milton. Everyone knows about the cannon arm, but he made good decisions/throws on the short stuff at the Senior Bowl.
Throws this slant a little behind his receivers to keep the ball away from the crashing post safety. Great ball placement. pic.twitter.com/q7XOFhHfaX
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 31, 2024
Ray Davis demonstrates key traits
If you want to succeed in today’s NFL as a running back, you have to show that you have ability not only in the running game, but that you can contribute in some way to the passing game as well.
That’s what Kentucky RB Ray Davis did on the second day of practice. Davis showed some really nice ball-tracking ability, and made an impressive one-handed grab on a wheel route.
Excuse me, Ray Davis!? pic.twitter.com/CBv3VyeYr3
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) January 31, 2024
Jamari Thrash continues to separate from the competition
Louisville wide receiver Jamari Thrash came into the week as one of the top wide receivers to watch for either team. Through two days of practice, he’s done nothing but confirm that stance. Thrash continued to cook DBs in today’s practice, showing that he’s an explosive and sudden route-runner who can stack DBs with ease.
Louisville's Jamari Thrash is so damn shifty man
Was burning dudes yesterday, but today Thrash showed he can win short-intermediate (and also deep) with quickness, stop-start ability, some deception, and active hands
Did have a drop and there was an overthrow that might've… pic.twitter.com/l0oyXvODWF
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) January 31, 2024
Jarvis Brownlee Jr. represents for the defensive backs
The offensive players typically shine during the practice sessions and have a one-up on defenders, but Louisville’s Jarvis Brownlee, Jr. didn’t let that stop him from getting some great reps in himself today.
Brownlee showed off his ability to stay patient and undercut receivers multiple times today while in man coverage. He also had a chance for a nice interception, but the ball bounced off his chest for an incompletion.
Near pick by Louisville CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. working against Tulane WR Jha'Quan Jackson #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/HKmBK7KlIx
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 31, 2024
Ladd McConkey stuffed early, shows resilience later
One of the biggest names coming into these practices — and rightfully so — is Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. McConkey has had a lot of NFL draft buzz about him, and he showed some good things in today’s practice. He found himself struggling early, getting stifled by physicality on the first rep of the day, but he was able to bounce back and have a good day overall
Andru Phillips wins a rep against Ladd McConkey. Phillips does a good job being physical and mirroring McConkey’s beak. McConkey slips on this rep though. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/lMCXWyuqLk
— Sam Finkel (@Sam_Finkel) January 31, 2024
Chris Braswell flashes spin move
One of the names that has consistently shown up through the first two days of practice for the American team is Alabama defensive lineman Chris Braswell. That was the case again today, as Braswell showed off an impressive spin move on Texas offensive lineman Christian Jones.
Braswell has flashed all week and is likely climbing up some NFL draft boards with his performance.
Patrick Paul is going to get eaten alive by power if he keeps his hands so wide while leaning and dropping his head during his strike. Chris Braswell walks him back here. pic.twitter.com/Yb4L2DBJAx
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 31, 2024
Darius Robinson shines on the interior
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson turned in an impressive display for the American team’s interior defense today. Robinson has consistently won with his impressive combination of length and explosion, and made a key play in team drills today, forcing an incompletion within two seconds.
I had Darius Robinson in Day 2 before the #SeniorBowl, and I was disappointed with a lack of national buzz.
Sounds like that’s changed this week. Freakish traits with DT-DE versatility. Possible #Mizzou has two first-rounders with him and Ennis Rakestraw. pic.twitter.com/deDvgTsVIt
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 31, 2024
DJ James has near-pick of Michael Pratt
Auburn defensive back DJ James had a chance to show off his ball skills today in the team drills, but fell just short. Starting off team drills, James made a nice play to come away with a near-interception off a throw from Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt. Unfortunately for James, he couldn’t finish it off, but it was a solid play nonetheless.
Auburn DB DJ James almost coming away with a pick.
Went and did some push ups after this one#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/w6LTXYqdc3
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) January 31, 2024
Carter Bradley demonstrates consistency
Overall it wasn’t a great day for hometown product Carter Bradley, but it could have been much worse. The South Alabama quarterback, and son of Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, didn’t show anything crazy good today, but he was solid overall and had a couple of nice throws down the field.
Hometown QB prospect Carter Bradley (South Alabama) rips a seam throw to Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith for a score during 7-on-7s. pic.twitter.com/wnWbRdgOfY
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) January 31, 2024
Xavier Legette has another strong showing
After a day of performing well but struggling with some poor quarterback play yesterday, South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette was able to put it all together today and have a strong performance. Legette showed of his explosion and high-point ability today, and was able to flash some impressive nuance in his route-running.
There were some issues with Legette letting the ball come to him rather than being aggressive at the catch point during some high-point opportunities, but overall it was a solid day for the former Gamecocks wide-out.
Xavier Legette LOST his defender here, oh my😱@XavierLegette is WOWING scouts in Mobile so far during #SeniorBowl work. pic.twitter.com/hVlkYBWtEO
— MJ Hurley (@mjhurleytdt) January 31, 2024
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint shows off technicality
On a squad that has some impressive talent at the wide receiver position, former Georgia Bulldogs receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint isn’t letting himself get lost in the shuffle. Rosemy-Jacksaint has been impressively steady all week down in Mobile, and has impressed with his technical ability while also showing a bit of juice. Simply put, he just does everything right.
Georgia WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint with a nice release, won immediately BUT that's a great recovery by Jarvis Browwlee Jr. pic.twitter.com/oujnYGSKZ1
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 31, 2024
