Senior Bowl 2023 Offensive Standouts To Note

With Mobile in the rearview mirror, we’re now full steam ahead toward the NFL Combine and pro days. And with the Senior Bowl now in the past, it’s time to take a look at who stood out the past week during the individual, team, and game portions of the showcase on the offensive side of the ball. 

Tank Dell WR, Houston

Arguably the winner of the entire Senior Bowl week, Dell was uncoverable throughout all phases. His ability to separate off the line of scrimmage was evident in one-on-ones. While size will continue to be a knock against him—understandably—the ceiling is overwhelmingly evident. 

Eric Gray RB, Oklahoma

There’s a reason why Gray was so highly touted as a prep athlete, and while the college production was never really there during his years at Tennessee and Oklahoma, I loved what I saw from him this week. He runs hard, has excellent feet, is able to work with accelerated vision, and has good hands in space. He has one of the strongest lower halves of any player in the class and will be an excellent complementary talent for whoever takes him on draft weekend. 

Darnell Wright OT, Tennessee

Not everything was perfect, but watching Wright on game day was a treat. He’s a unique combo of a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect, and his dominant reps during Senior Bowl week showcased a talent that should be a high-level starter for many years on Sundays. 

Michael Wilson WR, Stanford

Injuries hampered him during his time with the Cardinal, but if anyone made himself money during Senior Bowl week it was Wilson. He had no issue separating, was excellent in the air, physical in tight confines, and showcased the ability to elongate his stride and push past the secondary. At 6-foot-1 with the ball skills he showcased, he’ll be an excellent addition to any rotation of wideouts. 

John Michael Schmitz IOL, Minnesota

Like it was on tape, there wasn’t a single guy that could move the aptly nicknamed ‘JMS’ off his spot. He won’t draw any comparisons to Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum athletically, but he’s strong as an ox and was a leader on the field throughout the event. He’ll be a foundational addition to any front-five he joins. 

Jayden Reed WR, Michigan State

Buzz was low for Reed during the season, but his week in Mobile showcased a player worth bolding as we move toward the spring. 1-on-1s looked too easy, he was a constant target in 7-on-7s, and he fielded all his punt returns cleanly in special teams work. The WR class has questions to be answered, and Reed has moved his name into the conversation as a pass-catcher to get familiar with. 

Steve Avila IOL, TCU

A lot like Schmitz, there’s nothing crazy sexy about Avila’s game, but he looks the part of a guard behind a 6-foot-3, 332-pound frame. He had clean reps all week and teams that operate with a balanced approach will love his ability to move vertically in the run, then drop anchor and serve as a wall in pass pro.

Payne Durham TE, Purdue

A physical talent, Durham won’t blow anyone away when he tests in Indianapolis, but his ability to use his frame against smaller defenders and snatch the football at its highest point was evident all Senior Bowl week long. He’s a riser in a deep TE class. 

Jaelyn Duncan OT, Maryland

One of the most athletic tackles in the class, Duncan was smooth all week long in Mobile. He worked at both left and right tackle, was dominant at times, and solidified his stock as an early day-two talent. He moves like a tight end at nearly 300 pounds. 

Other Senior Bowl notables:

• Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
• Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
• Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
• Olesegun Oluwatimi, IOL, Michigan
• Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
• Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
• O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
• Nick Saldeveri, OL, Old Dominion