Mock Draft using Senior Bowl Prospects

With a successful week of practice in the books I wanted to due a fun exercise and create a generic mock draft using only Senior Bowl prospects. Remember you can create your own mock drafts for your team using On the Clock.

For the purpose of this Mock draft we will do a 10 pick projection, with the team having a middle of the round pick in each round, plus additional compensatory 3rd, 5th and 7th round picks.

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Round 1: DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

-Kinlaw was the 2nd best prospect down in Mobile behind QB Justin Herbert (who is likely to be off the board by the middle of the round). Kinlaw had to pull out of the event after two practices, but in that time he showed just how dominant he can be.

Derrick Brown is the top interior DL in this draft class, but Kinlaw’s power and quickness off the snap make him a very close second. It’s even possible that he would be selected before the middle of the round. In which case OT Josh Jones would have been this selection.

Round 2: C Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU

-Cushenberry entered the week ranked between the 2nd and 4th round depending on the big board you were looking at. After a strong week where he showcased his quick feet and hand usage, Cushenberry figures to be a top 50 selection. He should be a day one starter at center for whomever drafts him.

If he’s off the board fellow center Matt Hennessy would make a lot of sense.

Round 3 (a): EDGE Josh Uche, Michigan

-This Senior Bowl roster is loaded with players between 50-100 so for the next three selections you could make a case for a good 25+ players who would make sense.

For the first pick of this group though I went with Uche. I feel he’s a 2nd round talent who could slide slightly given that he’s a bit undersized. He makes up for being shorter than you like EDGE players by using his quickness and speed to threaten the EDGE and be consistently disruptive.

Round 3 (b): WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame

-Claypool answered a lot of questions down here this week in Mobile. Not only did he appear to be a better route runner that most gave him credit for, but his vertical speed was impressive as well. The idea that he might need to bulk up to TE just doesn’t make much sense after watching his success this week. He likely won’t get overdrafted in this deep receiver class so a team near the end of the 3rd round should be quite happy landing him.

Round 4: WR Van Jefferson, Florida

-Jefferson was the best route runner of the week and showed that his game translates to the next level. Questions about his lack of production could keep him out of the top 100+ picks, but he looks to be great value at this point of the draft. He’s likely going to be able to contribute as a rookie and could develop into a good starter.

Other options for these 3 middle selections (no particular order): WR Michael Pittman, WR Denzel Mims, QB Jalen Hurts, WR Collin Johnson, TE Adam Trautman, TE Harrison Bryant, EDGE Jabari Zuniga, EDGE Jason Strowbridge, EDGE Kenny Willekes, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB Malik Harrison, G John Simpson, OT/G Ben Bartch, S Kyle Dugger

Round 5 (a): RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State

-Benjamin looked like the best running back down here in Mobile. He’s got good speed and change of direction ability and did a nice job finding the hole. He’s got enough ability to make people miss in space and showed himself a capable receiver. He still looks like a Day 3 player in a fairly deep RB class.

Round 5 (b): S Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois

-Chinn really impressed me with how fluid and fast he is at his size. He was matching up with a number of receivers in 1-on-1 drills and winning a good percentage of the time. He was excellent versus tight ends as well. He definitely helped himself this week as a guy who can be a versatile back-up safety/special teamer as a rookie with the potential for more.

Round 6: CB Kindle Vildor, Georgia Southern

-Vildor was extremely impressive this week as the small corner was one of the most aggressive and best cover guys down here. He was great in man coverage and did a nice job mirroring  receivers on their route. He also shows good make-up speed if someone did get by him. Vildor also had a couple very impressive interceptions this week. Consistency was an issue at times, but he still helped himself this week and looks like a nice late round developmental corner. He eventually could be a starter in the slot.

Round 7 (a): OT Alex Taylor, South Carolina State

-Taylor created the most buzz at the weigh-in as he came in at over 6’8″ with long 36″ arms and a ridiculous 88″ wingspan. Taylor has the raw build that coaches love and he doesn’t appear too stiff on tape or watching him at practice. While Taylor has the measurables teams covet, he still showed he’s very raw at practice. At times you could see the upside, but on a number of other plays he was over-matched. It’s definitely possible that Taylor gets over-drafted by a team who falls in love with his size, but that is likely a mistake. He’s a clear project and isn’t even an option for a swing tackle role as a rookie. He’s likely a guy you either try to stash on your practice squad, or more likely just keep an extra OL and prepare to have him inactive every week.

Round 7 (b): TE Stephen Sullivan, LSU

-Sullivan transitioned to TE his senior year after previously playing WR for the Tigers. At either spot he never found his niche on the team managing just 46 catches 712 yards and 3 touchdowns across three years of regular playing time. Sullivan is still learning the nuances of the TE position and needs to show he can be more than just a receiver. He does have nice size and speed and can make plays when he gets an opportunity. He’s an intriguing late round developmental TE.