As valuable as the Senior Bowl game on Saturday is, the week of practice is an even better way to evaluate prospects in Mobile. The American and National teams wrapped up their sessions on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s matchup, and there were more than just a couple of standouts in practice.
The Rams should have plenty of good options at positions of need on Day 2, with many of those players being in attendance at the Senior Bowl. Here are 15 standouts from practice who should interest the Rams in the draft.
1
Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz
If Schmitz is there at No. 36, the Rams should really consider pouncing. He’d be an upgrade over Brian Allen, who’s undersized and injured too often. Schmitz had a fantastic week of practice and entrenched himself as the top center in the class.
.@GopherFootball's John Michael Schmitz putting his stamp on being OC1 at the @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/LoIZ0VcHe5
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 1, 2023
2
Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
According to The Athletic, Musgrave was clocked at 20 mph in practice. That’s absurd considering he’s a 255-pound tight end. Tyler Higbee has lost a step and is no longer the threat down the seam that he used to be. Musgrave would be a nice addition and potential starter in Year 2.
Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave has been leaving dudes in the dust all week. He has lived up to the hype in every way. #RatedRookie #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/JTACfjoIcH
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) February 2, 2023
3
Bowling Green DT Karl Brooks
Brooks primarily played on the edge in college but he’s expected to rush inside more in college. Look how quickly he gets to the quarterback on this rep from the interior. He probably fits best as a 3-technique, which is the spot Aaron Donald plays, but the Rams need depth on the O-line regardless – and life without Donald could come sooner rather than later.
#BowlingGreen DT Karl Brooks gets to the QB before the ball can even be thrown. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/8Ayoug9q95
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 31, 2023
4
Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
Jones is a fringe first-round prospect and though he could only practice for one day, he improved his stock in Mobile. He’s a massive offensive tackle at 6-foot-8, 350 pounds, which already makes him an intriguing prospect. The Rams have Joe Noteboom and Rob Havenstein, but adding another young tackle wouldn’t hurt – especially someone with Jones’ upside.
.@OhioStateFB OT Dawand Jones vs Andre Carter in run defense/run block drill. Easy win for the massive 6-8, 350 lbs OT#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin was front and center for it with some praise for Jones after the rep pic.twitter.com/AogvuQzVf6
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 31, 2023
5
Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan
Duncan is another solid offensive tackle prospect who could interest the Rams if they’re in the market for help on the outside. Isaiah Foskey is one of the better pass rushers at the Senior Bowl and Duncan did a nice job against him in the rep below.
Impressive rep here from Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan against Isaiah Foskey. Stout anchor and explosive hands latched inside the chest plate. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/67zaCMHDWA
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) January 31, 2023
6
Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly
Kelly really stood out at cornerback and was voted by his peers as the National team’s top cornerback in practice. He has the size and instincts to be an early starter in the NFL, showing good ball skills during Senior Bowl practice and throughout his career at Stanford.
Kyu Blu Kelly stacking back-to-back days. Stays in phase, locates the ball, plays through the hands. pic.twitter.com/OsW0rSU8C5
— Cory (@realcorykinnan) February 3, 2023
7
Kansas State CB Julius Brents
Brents showed off his coverage skills in man-to-man drills during Senior Bowl week, as evidenced in the video below. His size is evident, being a 6-3 cornerback, but he still moves well for being that big.
Jalen Wayne vs Julius Brents pic.twitter.com/jvTdeeKrGA
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 1, 2023
8
Fresno State QB Jake Haener
Even with Matthew Stafford coming back, the Rams should be in the market for a quarterback – a backup and a potential starter in a few years from now. Haener is only 6 feet tall, but he has the accuracy and arm talent to succeed at the next level.
#FresnoState QB Jake Haener throws a perfect deep ball to #Charlotte WR Grant DuBose. pic.twitter.com/X5XZQKgH3a
— Steve Frederick (@SteveFrederick_) February 1, 2023
9
Iowa State OLB Will McDonald IV
McDonald has some juice off the edge. Just watch him win his rep against the right tackle in the tweet below. He makes it look so easy, blowing by the tackle en route to the quarterback. His bend on the edge is what could push him up draft boards.
Will McDonald, man pic.twitter.com/T7ZPjlm7Qm
— Cory (@realcorykinnan) February 2, 2023
10
South Carolina CB Darius Rush
Rush was the American team’s practice player of the week at cornerback and his rep in this one-on-one drill shows why. He showed perfect technique and essentially ran the route for the wide receiver, undercutting it for a terrific interception.
Darius Rush whew pic.twitter.com/UNZo6iPQmB
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 31, 2023
11
North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch
Mauch can play just about anywhere on the offensive line and he’ll do so with some fire. If he were to land with the Rams, guard would be his likeliest position and he showed in practice this week that he can succeed on the interior, as well as at tackle.
Hell of a rep from Cody Mauch. Light and active feet, square base, and the control with his hands! Great strike, keeps his off hand free to control. pic.twitter.com/TifiFyfgmB
— Cory (@realcorykinnan) February 3, 2023
12
Purdue TE Payne Durham
Another highly athletic tight end who can win down the field, Durham had one of the best weeks of practices of anyone. Another guy who was voted a practice player of the week, Durham made this fantastic catch for a touchdown despite getting his helmet knocked off in the end zone. The Rams need more speed and he brings that at tight end.
Purdue TE Payne Durham showed out today. TD on the wheel route. He adjusts and hangs on while getting hit in the head pic.twitter.com/OVSl8LKxqL
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 3, 2023
13
Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence
Torrence is a top guard in the class, which should have the Rams interested. He crushes this rep against the interior defender, barely getting walked backwards and locking him down from the jump. He has the requisite size for a guard, too, at 6-foot-5, 337 pounds.
O’Cyrus Torrence again!
The @GatorsFB G is securing the 💼 with his performance at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/jkJivb2EF9
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 2, 2023
14
Illinois S Sydney Brown
Safety is an underrated need for the Rams with Nick Scott and Taylor Rapp hitting free agency. Brown has great ball skills and range on the back end, which would give the Rams a much-needed upgrade in coverage over Rapp.
#Illinois SAF Sydney Brown had his best practice on Thursday.
Great example of his ability to play through the hands of the receiver and turn catches into incompletions. pic.twitter.com/pKEPGUIAkd
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 3, 2023
15
Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
Stevenson came into the week as one of the top cornerbacks in Mobile and that hasn’t changed. He has the speed to recover after he gets beat, as well as the footwork to stay in the pocket of receivers. The Rams need help at cornerback and Stevenson could be a target on Day 2.
Jalen Wayne vs Tyrique Stevenson, great rep all the way around pic.twitter.com/PAtiQsBGPS
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 1, 2023
