Although there are over three months remaining until the 2016 NFL Draft, the Reese’s Senior Bowl is the unofficial kick off to the draft season as the nation’s top senior prospects compete in Mobile, Ala., with all 32 NFL teams in attendance.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, but the real work is done during daily practices throughout the week, starting on Tuesday.
“It’s a fun process,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said about the Senior Bowl experience. “It’s the best of the senior class within this year’s draft, so it gives you a chance to really put your hands on these players, watch them move around, watch them compete. It also gives you a chance to kind of, for the first time, really see who they are as people as well.”
The Senior Bowl is a crucial step in the interview process for the 100-plus players in Mobile, but especially for these 10 defensive prospects, who have something to prove.
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky (6-3, 261)
The best player on either Senior Bowl roster, Spence will be a popular name this week because of his ability on the football field and for what he says off of it. A former five-star recruit at Ohio State, his drug issues earned him a Big Ten ban and landed him at Eastern Kentucky where he dominated FCS competition. A top-15 talent in the 2016 class, how Spence interviews and carries himself in Mobile will be an important step in his job interview for NFL teams.
Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech (6-3, 309)
Jarran Reed, Austin Johnson and Sheldon Rankins are all first round quality defensive tackles and should shine in Mobile, but Butler isn’t far from those three prospects and could close ground with a productive week himself. He has the lower body movements and upper body power to give blockers all they can handle, which will show during one-on-one drills. Butler plays well on his feet with vision to see through blocks and make plays.
Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple (6-1, 232)
One of the most productive linebackers in college football history, Matakevich has first round quality anticipation and diagnose skills. But his lack of ideal size, strength and athleticism are question marks that make his next level evaluation tough to project. Some are able to mask their physical limitations due to superior instincts, is Matakevich one of them? His performance during practice will help answer that question.
Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State (6-5, 250)
A good-sized athlete, Fackrell played on his feet as an edge rusher in Utah State’s 3-4 scheme and that’s his best fit in the NFL, but teams will have a chance to see him as a more traditional linebacker in Mobile. He has an intriguing skill-set with his size, length and loose movements to smoothly redirect and cover a lot of ground. Fackrell is one of the more interesting players in this class due to his raw ability and questions about scheme fit.
Dadi Nicolas, DE, Virginia Tech (6-3, 227)
After a disappointing senior season (2.5 sacks), Nicolas is looking for redemption. He is listed as a defensive end on the roster, but he simply doesn’t have that type of core strength or power to hold up in the trenches. Nicolas is a nimble athlete and is at his best when he can use his light feet in space – how will the Jaguars’ coaches use him on the South squad?
Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia (6-3, 253)
A hybrid edge rusher, Jenkins played in both a two and three point stance in Georgia’s base 3-4 scheme and is listed as a linebacker on the Senior Bowl roster. He is an athletic mover who can get upfield quickly with burst, using his heavy hands to extend and beat up blockers with his limbs. Jenkins is best attacking the pocket, but at linebacker this week, his change of direction skills and awareness will be challenged in space.
William Jackson, CB, Houston (6-1, 185)
A physically imposing corner, Jackson has the size and length to match up well with the bigger receivers in the NFL. He does a lot of wide receiver-like things at the catch point, evidence by his 48 career passes defended, but does he have the short-area agility to hold up vs. the quick pass-catchers at the next level? NFL scouts will keep their eyes trained on his transition technique during practice drills.
Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa (6-2, 190)
The 2015 Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year, Hall split his time between safety and cornerback over his career, lining up predominantly in a hybrid safety role as a senior. He has excellent upside due to his range, size and ballskills, forcing nine turnovers this past season (six interceptions, three forced fumbles). Hall’s impatient and leggy lower body made him a better fit at safety at UNI, but he is expected to line up as a cornerback in Mobile.
Sean Davis, DS, Maryland (6-1, 202)
Another cornerback/safety hybrid, Davis boasts the size, length and muscular build that NFL scouts covet in the secondary. He is an aggressive run defender with the tackling skills and power to dislodge the football, ranking second in the FBS last season with five forced fumbles. Davis, who is listed on the roster as a safety, has some tweener traits as an athlete so his performance in drills will give teams a better idea of his best position in the NFL.
DeAndre Houston-Carson, DS, William & Mary (6-2, 195)
A playmaker at the FCS level, Houston-Carson could be this year’s version of Justin Bethel – a solid defensive back prospect, but better special teams performer (nine career blocked kicks). He played mostly single-high safety for the Tribe with terrific field vision and reactive athleticism to drive on the ball quickly. Houston-Carson is only an average size/speed/strength athlete so how he moves and reacts next to top-tier FBS athletes will be an interesting part of his evaluation.
–Dane Brugler is senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, operated and distributed by The Sports Xchange in cooperation with CBSSports.com.