SB Nation - Login for mobile commenting

Turf Show Times

Senior Bowl 2012: Which Players Are Standing Out After Two Days In Mobile?

If you've been too focused on all the changes happening at Rams Park this week, then you might have missed out on some 2012 NFL Draft business happening in Mobile, AL, this week. Practices for the Senior Bowl are happening this week. It's the first major event of the draft season, featuring a pretty solid group of seniors this season. Many of these players will be on the St. Louis Rams' radar when the draft rolls around in April.

Some highlights from the first two days of Senior Bowl action after the jump.

Star-divide

Wide Receivers

Marvin Jones, Cal - Early returns on Jones were very positive from Monday's practice. He's not the biggest guy on the field, under 6'2" and about 200 lbs, but that hasn't stopped him. According to Rob Rang, Jones showed explosiveness off the line, burst and speed to get by defensive backs. And he caught the ball consistently. Explosiveness off the line is something the Rams really lack at the position. Austin Pettis is fairly limited in what he can do as a possession receiver because he is beaten at the line so easily.

Juron Criner, Arizona - A player who many consider on the bubble between the first two rounds, Criner has played well in Mobile. Tony Pauline at SI.com said this: "He's incredibly athletic and made several acrobatic receptions over defenders. Criner lacks downfield speed, but quickly gets off the line and shows the ability to get separation in underneath coverage."

Brian Quick, Appalachian State - A big man at 6'3" 222 lbs, he proved his name lacks irony with his on-field work. Wes Bunting at the National Football Post said one NFL scout he talked to was impressed with Quick.

Dwight Jones, North Carolina - Wes Bunting noted that Jones, a potential first-round pick, had major problems in press coverage.

Offensive Line

Cordy Glenn, Georgia - He's been most effective at guard, but has played well on the outside.

Mike Adams, Ohio State - One seen as the top offensive tackle in the nation, his stock fell recently at OSU. He's changing that in Mobile. There's lots of talk that he's a top 15 pick.

Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State - Another first-round pick who has not disappointed this week.

Others making a good impression this week were Jeff Allen from Illinois, Philip Blake from Baylor and Kevin Zeitler from Wisconsin, who some have described as the best pure guard among the seniors this year.

Defensive Tackle

No two defensive tackles have played to the rave reviews that Mike Martin of Michigan and Kendall Reyes of UConn have earned. Pauline noted that both were "impossible to stop" and consistently getting behind the line of scrimmage. Rob Rang wrote lots more on both players here.

Cornerbacks

Janoris Jenkins is back, according to Tony Pauline who said that the former Florida corner should still be in first-round consideration based on his ball skills shown this week alone. Wes Bunting noted Georgia's Brandon Boykin's play, saying he has the makings for a very good slot guy at the next level.

Running Backs

Boise State's Doug Martin looks like an early winner on the week. From weigh-in through practice everyone is pretty high on him based on what he's shown so far. Here's Bunting on Martin:

...showcased a good first step; natural forward lean and can quickly decipher information at the line of scrimmage and change directions. He's a fluid kid with a thick build and his initial quickness really stood out for a back his size. Looks like a future starting caliber running back at the next level.

Tons more analysis and a list of team scouts and the players they're talking to from Big Cat Country.

0 recs  |  20 comments

Comments

Cordy Glenn or Kelechi Osemele

would be an interesting pick if either of them slip to our second rounder.

i'm kinda hoping we go in the DT direction

i know we need a lot of help help on offense but if we grabbed two solid DT’s we could have a monster defense and at least ONE side of the ball would be good. )

and if there aren't two solid DTs in the draft?
then we get it in FA
I'm a strong believer

in the BPA philosophy. I just want the best player in each round, regardless of position. If that means that we double up at receiver or o-line or whatever, then so be it.

100% Agree

That has always been the best strategy, particularly for a re-building team. The Rams cannot afford to miss badly in the draft. Create a list of positions of need, then create a list of the best players who play those positions, cross players off the list as they get drafted, and pick the top player on the board when it’s your turn.

Seems simple, huh?

What the last 2 regimes have done to us is criminal in my mind.

Then we might be taking Claiborne if we trade with Washington.

I’m completely fine with that by the way.

me too

having a lockdown corner is never a bad thing

And finally a competent returner.
I wouldnt mind addressing cornerback

By signing Cortland Finnegan.

Marvin Jones is getting the love finally.

He’ll be gone by the 3rd round easy, he’s as good as Sanu or Floyd. Zeitler is the best Guard after DeCastro IMO, above Glenn or Osemele

but Glenn and Osemele

both could end up at tackle, so in my mind, their versatility makes them more attractive prospects than Zeitler.

yeah I suppose but as a pure guard I likey da ZZZZZZ
I'm kind of a Wiscy freak when it comes to linemen though
Damn you Doug Martin!!

I was hoping you’d fall to the Rams in the 4th! Now looks like you’ll be gone in the 2nd for sure! Damn you!

What if we traded down and picked up Coples and Brockers..........Let the shooting begin

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Actually if we traded with Washington we'd be screwing ourselves out of the best way to improve our line.

We need to get a good deal from them, if Cleveland stepped up and offered us their top 2 picks, and somehow Kalil made it past Minnesota, I’d love to have him and Konz. Then a DT or OLB in the second, or both if we got another pick or traded that #33 down.

There have to be at least 10 solid DTs in this draft IMO. Just no Suhs.

I really want a DT that is "impossible to stop"

Didn’t get Suh. Maybe we can get one now.

Kheeston Randall from Texas...

…would be a good third round option for DT

You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Turf Show Times to post a comment.