The Reese’s Senior Bowl is here and Mobile is going to be rocking with the 100+ NFL draft prospects coming into South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Vikings Wire will have boots on the ground as managing editor Tyler Forness will be there in person to watch these players duke it out in front of scouts and analysts alike.
On the American team, the biggest names are on the offensive side of the ball, but this is a homage to the top names on the defensive side.
Missouri CB Kris Abrams-Draine
Recruited to play wide receiver, Abrams-Draine plays the ball as if it’s intended for him. He’s still learning the nuances of playing cornerback, but the instincts to find and make a play on the football in the air, especially in man coverage, are apparent on his tape. Abrams-Draine also has the versatility to comfortably play both in the slot and out wide, if necessary.
Auburn CB D.J. James
Abrams-Draine’s teammate at Spanish Fort High School, James is a cornerback who can see his stock rise as an outside corner. James looks the part of an NFL corner with a smooth backpedal and has shown fluid hips that easily flip to help him stay in the receiver’s hip pocket. His ability in zone coverage will be displayed in the team portions, but he should be solid in both zone and man coverage.
Georgia S Javon Bullard
If you’re looking for a safety this cycle, there are a couple of players you may want to look at on the American team. The first is a Georgia native who showed off his high football IQ snap-in and snap-out during this historic resurgence for the Bulldogs. Bullard is a symbol of the new breed of safety that can not only cover well in the back end but also come down and be a trusted asset in the run game. Bullard is always searching for the big hit, and if he connects, you will go down. He pairs that physicality with good speed and athleticism to stay with players vertically down the field.
Miami S Kamren Kinchens
The other big name for the American team was Miami’s Kamren Kinchens. If the centerfielder type of safety is more what you’re looking for, Kinchens may be what you’re looking for. A rangy safety with true sideline-to-sideline speed and the play recognition to match, Kinchens will be a fun prospect to watch. Don’t fall in love with just his coverage ability, though. Kinchens is liable to lay the wood near the line of scrimmage if the ball-carrier isn’t careful. Whether a team runs a single-high or two-high defense, Kinchens can be an asset sooner rather than later.
Alabama LB Chris Braswell
When Alabama edge rushers come to mind in this class, the talk usually surrounds Dallas Turner. On the other side of Turner, outside linebacker Chris Braswell had emerged as a solid player in how own right. Braswell has a powerful punch when coming off the football, giving him a strong long-arm technique to use to maneuver around blockers. He shows a good motor to go along with his strength and uses his hands well enough to get eight sacks last season, tied for third-most in the SEC.
Florida State DL Braden Fiske
The former Western Michigan Bronco grew with the Florida State defense, culminating in his best performance when it mattered most, against the Louisville Cardinals in the ACC Championship. Fiske ended the game with nine total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. His motor was relentless, making plays sideline to sideline. His hands are constantly moving and has a propensity to stuff the run and make life tough on blockers with his wide frame.
Texas A&M DL McKinnley Jackson
Texas A&M’s McKinnley Jackson shows off easy lateral quickness and great footwork to get around would-be blockers. His outstanding motor keeps him in the play even if his first or even second move does not pan out like he would have expected. Jackson’s quick feet and explosive steps make it so he can maneuver well in the limited space on the interior.
Texas Tech DL Myles Cole
With Tyree Wilson gone to the NFL, Texas Tech brought in former Louisiana-Monroe Warhawk Myles Cole. Like Wilson, Cole is a raw pass-rusher without much in his pass-rushing bag of tricks. What Cole does have is long arms and a massive frame off the edge that will make any quarterback hesitate if he comes free.
Texas DL Byron Murphy II
As tenacious a pass-rusher as you will find on the interior, Byron Murphy II was one-half of one of the best interior tandems in the NCAA. Murphy has elite athletic traits and made Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list for his unbelievable combination of power and speed. Murphy has a motor that does not stop, which should be on display in one-on-ones. Where Murphy ends up when April comes around should be interesting, as some have him going as high as 11 to the Minnesota Vikings.
Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat
The other half of the Longhorns tandem, T’Vondre Sweat may be one of the best run defenders on the interior in this year’s draft. Sweat’s 6’4”, 362-pound frame is hard to ignore when trying to block him, especially when he stays low and stays level with the offensive lineman despite his huge frame. Sweat won the 2023 Outland Trophy for his amazing season with 42 tackles (17 solo), eight tackles for loss, two sacks and four pass breakups.
Honorable Mentions
- Georgia DB Tykee Smith
- Missouri LB Ty’Ron Hopper
- Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson
