Even though we are still a week from the NFL’s postseason wrapping up in Minnesota, with the Panthers being eliminated from the playoffs, here at The Riot Report, we’re on to 2018. While the home team may have been achingly close to postseason success, they have a lot of work to do this offseason to ensure their season doesn’t end with anything but Cam Newton hoisting the Lombardi Trophy over his head next February. The first step to the NFL Draft in April was last week with the East-West Shrine Bowl, but a more important game to watch will be the crown jewel of offseason prognosticating, the Reese’s Senior Bowl, held this Saturday in Mobile, Alabama.
An impressive day at the Senior Bowl can not only boost a prospect’s draft stock, it can make their entire career; 23 of the players to make the 2017 Pro Bowl played in the Senior Bowl before being drafted to the NFL. Almost 30% of the league’s roster each season is comprised of players that once played in the Senior Bowl; Vernon Butler, Kawann Short and James Bradberry all made a mark in the annual event, as did last year’s third-round pick Daeshon Hall.
James Bradberry at the Senior Bowl. Photo Credit: ABC3340.com
If you’re hurting for a football fix this weekend, instead of watching Thomas Davis and Graham Gano mess around in Orlando for the Pro Bowl, flip on the NFL Network and watch these future stars try to impress the multitude of NFL general managers in the crowd. Here are some that may be of particular interest to Panthers fans:
Will Hernandez, G, UTEP: With the future of Andrew Norwell in doubt in Carolina, the Panthers may look to the draft to find an interior lineman. A player like Hernandez, who has been absolutely dominant through this week of practice, would be a great fit for Carolina, especially if they think that Taylor Moton is better suited to play outside.
Kurt Benkert, QB, Virginia: Vincent Richardson has done a spectacular job doing a full breakdown of Benkert, which you should check out for more details; a good day at the Senior Bowl may make his draft stock go too high for the Panthers to invest a pick in a backup quarterback.
Da’Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama: Hand met with the Panthers earlier this week (that doesn’t mean much, each team meets with dozens of prospects before each draft) and has shown the size, hand placement and build necessary to be a successful NFL defensive end. However, he was limited by injury and didn’t play with consistency throughout his college career; still, the flashes shown may be enough to make a mark on the Panthers staff.
James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State: The 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner is not as tall as previous receivers that have excelled in Norv Turner’s system, but his long arms and thick build give him a shot at any jump ball. Should the Panthers elect to shore up their wide receiver corps early, they could do a lot worse than the fastest player at the Senior Bowl.
Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA: Davenport may be off the board before the Panthers pick at 24, but the Conference USA Player of the Year will just be fun to watch. Don’t forget, Star Lotulelei was projected to be a top-five pick before a potential health scare dropped his stock to the Panthers range.
Jaylen Samuels, WR, NC State: A versatile WR that lined up all over the field, you say?
Dallas Goedert, TE, SDSU: Unfortunately, Goedert tweaked his hamstring during drills this week and won’t play, but the top tight end prospect in the draft will certainly be on the Panthers draft board, it’s just a questions of where he falls; the Panthers also met with Penn State TE Mike Gesicki this week.
Kyzir White, S, WVU: The brother of Bears wideout Kevin White has been impressive in practice this week, and could be in play for the 55th pick overall; the 6’2″ safety can play in the box as well as pass defend in space. A good day at the Senior Bowl and Combine could vault him into being considered at the tail end of the first round.
Rashaad Penny, RB, SDSU: In 2017, Kareem Hunt won Senior Bowl MVP with 118 total yards before being drafted in the third round and making a huge impact in Kansas City; will the best running back in the Senior Bowl have that kind of impact again? Is Penny that running back?
Marcus Allen, S, Penn State: A tackling machine with great instincts, Allen is an interesting prospect who won’t be in the mix until perhaps late in Day 2 of the draft.
Colby Gossett, G/C, Appalachian State: Extremely raw, but also extremely talented. Working with someone like John Matsko could help someone like Gossett moving forward. Here’s the interior lineman working against fellow prospect Da’Shawn Hand:
Alabama’s Da’Shawn Hand (75.1 overall grade) working against Appalachian State’s Colby Gossett (81.5) at the #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/8oM9HHS4sl
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) January 23, 2018
MJ Stewart, CB, University of North Carolina: Homer pick. TAR!
Looking forward to watching anyone else? Let me know on Twitter or in the comments below!
