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• Houston WR Tank Dell: No defensive back can really handle Dell, and he makes them pay in one-on-one and team scrimmage.
• Tulane RB Tyjae Spears: While running backs struggled to really showcase their skills in All-Star Game drills, Spears stood out,
• Day One Review: Click here to read PFF’s recap of Senior Bowl Day 1
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Day 1 is when you make your first impression, but Day 2 is usually when you really stand out in the Senior Bowl. If you put together a good first exercise, you have the opportunity to stack it with another exercise to consolidate as the “winner” of the week. This can also be a critical day to “bounce back” or really take a cue from the NFL coaches around you.
Day 2 is always an interesting time to evaluate prospects, as everyone is generally more comfortable and confident in their new surroundings; you’ll get the best version of each player, or at least a better version.
Here’s a look at the players who emerged from Day 2 of the Senior Bowl and who could be on the league-wide draft board.
WR Tankdale, Houston
It was the second day in a row that Dell’s athleticism stood out. He’s 5-foot-8 and 163 pounds, so you’d think he wouldn’t be able to handle the physicality if defensive backs could handle him. The problem is that no defensive back can really handle him that way, and he’s costing them both one-on-one and team scrimmage. With so much dynamic ability at his disposal, he feels like a player locked into Day 2, and his draft picks are increasingly geared toward becoming second-round picks.
.@UHCougarFB WR Tank Dell’s agility and speed make every rep stand out on the floor. Gain separation when releasing, entering routes and resting. It’s pretty much the drama of the day pic.twitter.com/QshK6eQILM
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 1, 2023
EDGE WILL MCDONALD IV, IOWA
McDonald was another player who had a good time in the Senior Bowl. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he’s a lighter edge rusher whose strength is his speed. In the clip below, he faces off against Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright, one of the best offensive tackles in the tournament so far. But on that rep and the one before that, McDonald’s beat him to the punch.
Not many pass rushers got past Darnell Wright this week, but @CycloneFB rim rusher Will McDonald got the better of him.
McDonald has been effectively using his speed against Wright’s outside shoulder, which makes for a nice interior counter. Good week at McDonald’s pic.twitter.com/sHbN1sQfVA
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 1, 2023
If you need a speed rusher in this class, McDonald should be on your list, and his success in the Senior Bowl might even elevate his stock to the first round.
RB TYJAE Spears, Turan
It’s hard for running backs to really showcase their skills in drills for the All-Star Game. In the game, they’re allowed to fight through contact, really dutiful. But with limited exposure in practice, it’s hard to really show what the team wants to see from you. Well, no one told Tyjae Spears because he’s been turning heads all week. His one-size-fits-all ability is lethal to opposing defenses, often leaving tackles in the dust, as in the play below. It’s a loaded running back class, but some NFL teams have done well with Spears.
What a run, Tyjae Spears! pic.twitter.com/5HOHEmklwM
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 1, 2023
WR Michael Wilson, Stanford
We talked about Stanford’s Michael Wilson several times in our Day 1 recap, but we had to give it another shout-out on Day 2 that he probably brought us the game of the day. Wilson once again demonstrated his deep understanding of how to win in a position that separates successfully in his release, the nuances of running the line in a way that gives you an edge, and then the athleticism to cut and accelerate. He was the second day Another winner.
.@StanfordFball WR Michael Wilson defends WR1 again in the @seniorbowl on Day 2.
Goes over DB’s face on release, leans left and keeps him out, and slices into the skinny post. Great understanding of how to win in this position pic.twitter.com/U8AwuO5RJJ
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 1, 2023
other considerations
• Minnesota center John Michael-Schmitz continues to impress. His mentality is welcome, showing good physicality and pride in one-on-one practices, and he’s also shown that he can be a good space blocker. He’s solidifying his OC1 status in Mobile.
• It was good practice for Kentucky cornerback Keidron Smith. He stands over 6-foot-1 with a 76 3/4-inch wingspan. He took advantage of that length well early in practice and looked comfortable (but not too physical) with wide receiver in one-on-one games.
• Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore has had a solid two days. Before stepping onto the field as a 6-foot-1 defensive lineman with an 82 1/2-inch wingspan, he was a measurement winner. That unique build allows him to stay low off the drive and then use his arm length to create separation and leverage, something he’s been able to showcase frequently in Senior Bowl practice.
• Michigan State wide receiver Jaden Reed’s speed has been a problem for defensive backs all week. His quick release gets many of his reps instant success, and he’s also shown long speed to pair with, becoming one of the best vertical threats in the event (and just overall route dividers).
• Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been unstoppable when they ask him to rush the pass, but that’s nothing new, as he had a 92.7 rushing grade last season, which is an off-ball linebacker highest score.
• As if there weren’t enough cornerbacks to watch, South Carolina’s Darius Rush had some great reps on Day 2. He had one interception on Day 1 and almost caught another. No other player was forced to finish this week like Rush.
• Florida State safety Jamie Robinson has been using his size to his advantage. He’s been impressive in some one-on-one situations against slot receivers, not just tight ends. As the winner of the week, he’s definitely a name people are talking about.
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