One of the most important events on the National Football League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the conference championship games, it is the true beginning of the NFL draft cycle.
Not only do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in one place competing against each other, but it’s also an opportunity for analysts and personnel alike to get together and have discussions about a number of topics.
As we look forward to this year’s Senior Bowl, both managing editor Tyler Forness and columnist Matt Anderson will be there in person to break everything down.
We will be breaking down each position group and what to look for throughout the week. Here is the wide receiver position.
Previous:
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive tackles
Alabama G Emil Ekiyor Jr.
A three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Ekiyor Jr. has been the biggest constant on that offensive line that has seen. He started all three seasons at right guard but looks to have the versatility to play both sides and will take snaps at center. Isn’t a player that has a ton of upside but could be a starter early on for you on the interior.
Florida G O'Cyrus Torrence
Torrence is the epitome of dominance on the interior. Over his 1,501 pass blocking snaps, Torrence allowed only 25 pressures and just a single quarterback hit that occurred in 2021. The only first-round talent in this group, Torrence dominated in both the Sun Belt and SEC could end up being the best player in Mobile.
Mississippi G Nick Broeker
A starter at left tackle before moving inside to left guard in 2022, Broeker offers the flexibility to play multiple positions. A better pass blocker than a run blocker, Broeker does have struggles with both quickness and his anchor in pass sets.
Tennessee Chattanooga G McClendon Curtis
Last year, Cole Strange was a huge riser in Mobile and ended up being a first-round pick by the New England Patriots. Curtis is a mammoth player at 6’6″ and 325 lbs that can play both on the interior and at tackle. Lack of quickness will hurt him, but he can make up for it with his excellent length and size.
USC G Andrew Voorhies
Voorhies is going to be a hotly debated prospect. Some have him in the first round while others have him on day three. What Voorhies does offer is a versatile player that can kick outside if you need him to. His technical and strength concerns are an issue, but it is something that is worth taking a chance on at the right pick.
Michigan C Olusegun Oluwatimi
After being a three-year starter at Virginia, Oluwatimi transferred to Michigan and became the starter right away for the Wolverines. With his experience comes football intelligence but you wish his strength and dominance profile in the running game was better.
Notre Dame C Jarrett Patterson
A multi-year starter for the Fighting Irish, Patterson was once viewed as a potential first-round pick. He took a step back this past season and was moved to left guard. His experience and versatility will be viewed positively in the league, especially with a player who is a fringe day two player.
Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz
The top center in this class, Schmitz was a three-year starter at Minnesota and paved the way for Mohamed Ibrahim. He understands how to play in a diverse running scheme and can make the necessary blocks in any scheme. Being that he is a 24-year-old prospect, there likely won’t be a lot growth with Schmitz which will likely push him down the board farther than his skills would suggest.
TCU C Steve Avila
An experienced and large center, Avila has great natural play strength and isn’t going to get bulldozed in the middle. With his size, agility isn’t a plus but lateral agility is going to be something that is a struggle. Seeing him against quicker pass rushers will be something to monitor.
Troy C Jake Andrews
Andrews is a three-year starter for Troy having started at all three positions on the interior in his senior year. His size and versatility are a plus, but both strength and technique are issues. A good showing in Mobile could show some growth that you would like to see from a player that will likely have front offices prioritizing as a sixth offensive lineman.
