The Senior Bowl has become the premier destination for thousands of draft analysts, media members, NFL coaches, scouts and more to get an early look at NFL draft prospects. The New Orleans Saints are heavily involved in this year’s Senior Bowl coaching staff with four members serving in various roles. That means the Saints brass is getting an up-close-and-personal look at what this year’s class has to offer.
While the quarterback class in Mobile, Ala. this year is a bit lighter than in year’s past, they will certainly be a focus for New Orleans. But so too will the trenches, running backs and other premium players who made the trip to Alabama this winter. Know what the Saints would be interested in and where their attention would be, here are our observations from Day 1 of Senior Bowl practice:
Tennesse QB Hendon Hooker told he will be ready for training camp
While he is not participating in practice physically, the talented Tennessee Volunteers quarterback is in attendance. While here, Hooker will meet with all 32 NFL teams as they conduct former interviews with each Senior Bowl participant. During this time, he will surely be asked about his late-season ACL injury that has cast some shadows of doubt around his availability in 2023 to the team that drafts him.
Good news for quarterback-needy teams like the Saints, Hooker told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that he has been informed by doctors that he should be ready in time for training camp. That is a huge step forward for Hooker’s draft potential. He is a wildly talented passer, one of the best pre-snap quarterbacks in this year’s class and has consistently gotten better since landing in Tennessee. Yes, head coach Josh Heupel’s system is a unique one. But not one that NFL teams would struggle to implement at the next level. Hooker will be an interesting story to follow throughout the offseason, but these early indications are unmistakably encouraging.
BYU QB Jaren Hall measures well, struggles in performance
One of the biggest question marks for Hall coming into Mobile was his size. There were some that were concerned that he might measure in at below 6-foot in height. Instead, he measured in just above. So that means that Hall is in control of his own stock at this point. His on-field performance now becomes the most important building block in raising his draft profile.
Unfortunately, his Day 1 perform was a little underwhelming. After throwing an interception in walk-throughs, he overthrew another pass while working with receivers and defensive backs which was almost picked off. He then dropped back for a pass later in his day which resulted in his losing control of the ball and fumbling it as he pulled back to make a throw. Not a great day for the young passer.
Despite those Day 1 struggles, there are still many positives to Hall’s game. He’s a three-level thrower that processes the field incredibly well and can create with his legs. He will be tasked with showing more of that side of his game for the next two days as he looks to bounce back as other Day 1 strugglers have in the past. Early indications are that there is hope he will do just that as he never showed a sign of frustration while on the field, keep instead a calm and composed presence.
Tulane RB Tyjae Spears looks like a star
Unsurprisingly, @tyjae22 already showing what he can do in the backfield and as a pass catcher. Incredible to be back at it 🌊 pic.twitter.com/JXBTz02232
— Maddy Hudak (@MaddyHudak_94) January 31, 2023
The New Orleans-area native has a lot of fans here in the Gulf Region and it is easy to see why. Spears proved to be every bit of explosive and versatile as many had hoped. The Tulane Green Wave running back showed what he could do both as a runner and receiver, was constantly working with coaches off to the side and soaking up the opportunity to work with NFL personnel and impressed with his footwork and short-area quickness. Spears is always one jab step or cut away from a big play and that was evident on Tuesday.
Ohio State OT Dawand Jones looked unbeatable
This was the matchup everyone wanted to see in OL/DL pass rush drills: Dawand Jones vs Isaiah Foskey (Foskey put an OT on his ass his previous rep)
Jones with another win on the day. No one has been able to get the better of Jones’ size and length yet pic.twitter.com/TNFRtqxQY5
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 31, 2023
Jones may end up playing himself out of reach for the Saints in this year’s draft. Not to mention the Saints hope to be set at both tackle positions for the future. But it is hard to ignore an Ohio State Buckeyes helmet on the field when you cover New Orleans. It is even harder to ignore when that helmet sits atop a 6-foot-8, 350-pound mountain of a man who is throwing other full-grown humans to the side like a balled up sheet of paper. Simply put, Jones was demonstrably the best player on the field Tuesday.
While the Saints look to be satisfied with the future at tackle with both Ryan Ramczyk and Trevor Penning set to start in 2023, both have dealt with a considerable amount of injuries in 2022. New Orleans may be wise to look at other positions, but at the end of the first round or early in the second, Jones could very well be the best player available. That is a route the Saints have taken several times in that area and have done so with success.
Florida OL O'Cyrus Torrence could be this year's bounce back candidate
Much like Hall, Torrence did not have the smoothest day out on the field in Day 1. He was beat on a couple of one-on-ones and had some reps that looked in live action to be negative outcomes. But there is no doubt that the former Florida Gator who allowed no sacks in 2022 has a ton of talent. And he does so in a spot the Saints would be smart to consider investing, the interior offensive line.
Each year there are players that start off a little rough around the edges on the first day in Mobile only to then show that they can improve on a short timeline the following two sessions. New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is a prime example. Expected to be a first-round selection, Torrence only has one year of SEC-level play. Meaning that this opportunity at the Senior Bowl gets him the chance to show that he can consistently hang with elite competition. If he turns things around after the first day, it could go a long way in his evaluation. The same can be said about Hall’s next two days.
NFL Coaches say context important at Senior Bowl
As mentioned before, the first day can be hit or miss for some prospects. After speaking with a handful of NFL coaching staff members today from around the league, it seems that is heavily incorporated in their early assessment. “They just had their first team meetings last night,” an NFL coach told me today. “That’s something we have to keep in mind here.”
So, while we as media members can get a bit quick to jump the gun based on the first day of practice, NFL teams are going to wait to take in the entire story before labeling a prospect and their outlook. Perhaps that is why they are the NFL coaches. Every rep and opportunity is important, but it does not seem that there is a rush to sound the alarms of down Day 1 performances.
Sean Payton trade dominates Senior Bowl buzz
The Senior Bowl is just as much a constant stream of rumors and whispers as it is a go-to destination for scouting collegiate talent. But today, there was only one story on everyone’s mind. The Saints traded the rights of Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos in exchange for draft capital. The overwhelming opinion of the various media members assembled was that the Saints came out on the right side of this trade. After stepping away from the team following the 2021 season, Payton was already out of the door. But despite that, the Saints still managed to get a first-round pick and more for his services. The move was widely considered a win in Mobile.
