An exciting week of hard-hitting practice is currently underway in Mobile ahead of this weekend’s Senior Bowl. As teams and scouts scurry around to try and gain as much intel on some of the biggest names entering this year’s class, meetings are often scheduled between prospects and members of each NFL franchise. According to this ‘2019 Senior Bowl NFL Draft Prospects- Team Meeting Tracker’ by Gavino Borquez, the Birds have met with five players thus far. Here’s all you need to know.
S, Nasir Adderly, Delaware
Not only is he a local kid, but he’s almost a perfect prototype for the Jim Schwartz defense. An exceptionally quick Safety who can get from sideline-to-sideline in the blink of an eye, this 5’11, 200 lbs, former cornerback has a remarkable burst when it comes to closing on the ball and this transposes over into situations where he has to change direction on the spot. His footwork is simply outstanding and that can’t be complimented enough.
A relative of Hall of Famer, Herb Adderly, the genes clearly run strong. With 8 picks in just two years including a tremendous one-hand grab against Towson in 2017, he’s a total ballhawk who has benefited from playing corner in recent years. A small-school hero who plays with that ‘Philly grit’, Adderly has been soaring up draft boards in recent weeks and with extremely good reason. It’s tough to find a real weakness in his game and he would be a great fit as the future single-high safety in this defense.
DT, Greg Gaines, Washington
The Eagles need defensive tackle depth and Gaines is a glaring match. 55 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks and a pick during his senior season earned Gaines the Morris Trophy Award (voted on by opposing linemen) and a place in the All-Pac 12 First Team. After starting 41 consecutive games for the Huskies, it’s safe to say he carved out a reputation as one of the most dominant interior linemen in the division.
At 6’2, 322 lbs, Gaines has a thick frame that’s backed up with pure power and fundamentally sound technique.
CB, Iman Marshall, USC
This 6’0, 205 lbs, corner plays aggressively in all facets of the game. Whether it’s coming downhill to blow up a short-pass or a run, or a willingness to attack opposing linemen to get to the ballcarrier, Marshall always finds a way to be around the ball. The problem is that he doesn’t necessarily have the length/strength to consistently wrap up ballcarriers. An all-or-nothing corner in every sense of the word, Marshall plays lights out every single snap, but this either means guts or glory with no in-between.
He has had at least 8 PBU’s in each season at USC, but hasn’t picked off a pass in two seasons. Very much a breakfast cornerback who dominates the first few phases of each play, Marshall would take some developing at the next level but clearly has the work ethic and mindset to do just that.
WR, Hunter Renfrow, Clemson
The fairytale of this draft class is Clemson’s electric wideout. A walk-on in 2015, Renfrow has developed into one of the nation’s most dominant receivers. His name first hit the mainstream when he caught two touchdown passes in the National Championship Game against Alabama, including that memorable buzzer-beater. During his four-year career, he amassed 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Renfrow, at 5’10, 175 lbs, has been drawing plenty of praise during practices this week and it seems as though the underdog is bound to soar into the high rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.
Mississippi State LB/DE Gerri Green
Another player drawing praise this week is Gerri Green. He started all 13 games as a senior as a defensive end, which surprised many after playing as an OLB in 2017. A change of scheme served Green well, however, as he went on to tally another 3.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss on top of 2017’s stellar numbers. The 6’4 255 lbs, standout can be an asset in both coverage situations and as a pass-rusher. It would be very interesting to see where NFL teams see him at his best, as I could see him filling an OLB role more productively.
Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
