The final day of Senior Bowl practice brought us more of the same from Denzel Mims and Van Jefferson, but we have already noted their strong play. Instead, Day 3 will be remembered for a true highlight reel catch and the emergence of a small school tight end.
KJ Hill has drawn comparisons to former teammate Terry McLaurin this week, who also impressed at the Senior Bowl and moved up draft boards as a result. Like McLaurin, Hill’s production at Ohio State was dampened because of their depth at WR and their offensive philosophy of spreading the ball around. After a strong 2018 season, Hill regressed from a statistical perspective in 2019:
2016 (rFR): 8 games, 18 catches, 262 yards, 1 touchdown
2017: 14 games, 56 catches, 549 yards, 3 touchdowns
2018: 14 games, 70 catches, 885 yards, 6 touchdowns
2019: 57 catches, 636 yards, 10 touchdowns
Here’s what the scouts were saying about Hill on Day 3”
- “Today’s one-handed catch from KJ Hill is just another one to add to the highlight reel.” https://twitter.com/TampaBayTre/status/1220436649798197251 – Trevor Sikkema, The Draft Network
- “KJ Hill has been turning dudes around this week. His stock is undoubtedly improved after his performance at the senior bowl.” – Brad Kelly, Cover-1 (Kelly also noted that KJ Hill won 9/13 1-1 reps at yesterday’s practice)
- “…KJ Hill/Ohio State has crazy good hands…” – Louis Riddick, NFL Network
- “I get some Emmanuel Sanders vibes when watching KJ Hill. Explosive out of breaks, reliable at all levels of the field and underrated RZ threat. Not a burner but knows how to manipulate coverage.” – Christian Page, Cover-1
Along with Hill, Dayton’s Adam Trautman has solidified his stock as perhaps the highest rated senior tight end in this class. Trautman was a high school QB and made the transition to TE once he enrolled at Dayton. After taking a redshirt year, Trautman slowly began to transition and learn the position, as evidenced in his statistical growth:
2016(rFR): 11 games, 24 catches, 238 yards, three touchdowns
2017: 11 games, 537 yards, 5 touchdowns
2018: 11 games, 604 yards, 9 touchdowns
2019: 11 games, 70 catches, 916 yards, 14 touchdowns
Some thoughts from the scouts on Trautman:
- “I am a HUGE Adam Trautman fan (Dayton TE). He has a really good feel as a route runner and he’ll more than hold up in the run game.” – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
- “Trautman was a top-75 draft pick entering the week and he’s only helped himself here in Mobile. He is my top-ranked non-FBS prospect…” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
- “Adam Trautman. Really good.” – Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
- “Route by Trautman. Beautiful break to create space. He’s so good.” https://twitter.com/LedyardNFLDraft/status/1220438537465667586 – Jon Ledyard
With no standout underclassmen prospects this year, Trautman figures to be in contention for first TE off the board in this year’s NFL draft.
With the practices coming to a close, here’s a roundup of more prominent players at the Senior Bowl:
QBs
It was a bit of a mixed bag for quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Jordan Love, with scout’s opinions generally split between the two big-armed prospects…
Justin Herbert
Matt Miller – Really been a good week overall for Justin Herbert. Easy to see on the field why he’s liked so much
Jim Nagy – Oregon QB Justin Herbert named 2020 @seniorbowl Practice Player-of-the-Week
Benjamin Solak (TDN) – Justin Herbert didn’t lose any ground to Jordan Love this week — but he didn’t gain any either
Bruce Feldman (FS1) – Watching Senior Bowl on TV and Oregon QB Justin Herbert is REALLY showing off his eye-popping physical skills with that big arm and his athleticism right now.
Jordan Love
Mike Renner – Utah State QB Jordan Love didn’t do his draft stock any favors with his accuracy today. All over the map.
Matt Miller – Jordan Love was really impressive…he made some jaw dropping throws.
Austin Silvey – The story of this play is Jordan Love’s ball placement. Nice catch by Gandy-Golden. Coverage by Bassey wasn’t bad this rep. Throw was just better. https://twitter.com/SilveyESP/status/1220564737920061444
RBs
A quiet week of practice for most of the running backs at the Senior Bowl:
JaMycal Hasty
Danny Kelly – JaMycal Hasty’s quickness flashed a few times today at the North team #SeniorBowl practice. He looks like Dalvin Cook’s mini-me
PFF Draft – JaMycal Hasty leaving Evan Weaver in the dust. https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1220355246284845056
Darius Anderson
Matt Waldman – Darius Anderson with nice work on the counter. Sharp cut at the edge and before that, good bend on the bounce.Â
https://twitter.com/MattWaldman/status/1220312453562630144
Andrew Harbaugh (CCS Scouting) – Watching tape back from yesterday and Darius Anderson really impressed yesterday. Love his skillset and believe he can develop into a fun 3rd down option.
Eno Benjamin
Interesting week from Benjamin, as he weighed in 10-15 pounds lighter than his listed playing weight, raising concerns amongst scouts in attendance. However, lots of buzz surrounding his blocking ability…
Tony Pauline – Eno Benjamin/RB/#ArizonaState having another sensational practice. Looked terrific in blocking drills.
Dalton Miller – I have no idea how Eno Benjamin kept his feet here. Dude is such a dog…
https://twitter.com/DaltonBMiller/status/1220482206117830656
WRs
Chase Claypool
Claypool has impressed with his physicality at practice all week, leaving some scouts to wonder whether a transition to move-TE might be in order…
Louis Riddick – WR’s continued to shine today @seniorbowl practice…. Chase Claypool/Notre Dame is a physical freak!
Brad Kelly – Chase Claypool isn’t the quickest WR, but if he can master subtle moves at the top of the route to pause defensive backs, he’ll still be able to consistently create throwing windows in the NFL.
RosterWatch – There will be conversations about Chase Claypool moving to TE.
Denzel Mims
Most scouts in attendance ranked Mims as the best WR in practice this week…
Dalton Miller – Denzel Mims was the best receiver in Mobile. Gonna be a fun one to circle back around to
Brad Kelly – Denzel Mims is eating every CB alive in redzone 1-on-1’s right now. I can’t even explain how dominant he has been during Senior Bowl practices
Jauan Jennings
David Helman – Jauan Jennings is neither the fastest WR here nor the best route runner. But he might be the guy I get most excited to see with the ball in his hands.
Austin Silvey – Jauan Jennings…that was beautiful
https://twitter.com/SilveyESP/status/1220578761290211328
K
Tyler Bass (Georgia Southern)
Kicker News!!!
Tom Pelissero – One guy scouts keep talking about at the @seniorbowl: Georgia Southern kicker Tyler Bass. Hits the upright here from 58 yards but you can see how the ball explodes off his foot. https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1220442605336649728Â