The Senior Bowl, a draft spectacle featuring some of the best players in the NCAA, took place earlier today. Several players undoubtedly caught the eye of the Washington Redskins.
The South team rolled to a 45-16 victory over the North in the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl today. But regardless of the score, talent revealed itself on both sides, and like all other NFL teams, the Washington Redskins were fervent note takers.
The practices mattered just as much as the game, but in the game, players were tested on their ability to implement practice success into live action. Some players did better than others, but overall, this year’s Senior Bowl was a scout’s delight.
With the smoke now clearing, who should the Washington Redskins take note of? Which Senior Bowl competitors are most worth a look from the burgundy and gold in the 2018 NFL Draft? Turn the page, and find out!
No. 5 – S Trayvon Henderson – Hawaii
Trayvon Henderson is a player who had a very good week in Mobile, culminating with a solid performance in the Senior Bowl game.
Henderson, 6-foot-0, 200, only has average size. But all throughout the week, he played two inches larger. He was sticky in coverage, grabbing multiple interceptions on the day. He demonstrated impressive footwork, with the innate closing speed to come up on a pass before it reaches its target.
Henderson also stood out as a stud in run defense. The Hawaii product isn’t afraid to use his body, and he’s a very solid tackler. He didn’t have an extraordinary Senior Bowl game, but it was more of the same. Solid coverage, solid run defense, and an affinity for the third level.
Henderson will likely be a Day 2 prospect, and some teams will have him higher than others. He’s a skilled safety with a range of talents, and if he’s available in Rounds 2 or 3, the Washington Redskins need to consider picking him. He could bring immediate depth to the safety position, something that has been lacking for some time.
No. 4 – OG Will Hernandez – UTEP
Will Hernandez was dominant in Mobile all week, and some scouts have him creeping into the first round.
It comes as no surprise that Hernandez is on the uptick. Throughout his career at UTEP, he was well-known as one of the most physical and most overwhelming blockers in the entire league. I said as such in a recent draft article, in which I pegged him as a player who could start right away for the Washington Redskins.
"Hernandez’s early performance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama has only reinforced that judgement. Hernandez has dominated in both run and pass blocking. Right at the point of attack, he locks down the defender with his hands, and he has the strength to keep them outside the pocket. In one rep, he grabbed the defender and watched the defender run himself in a circle around the entire pocket. Few have the strength, or the quickness, to best Hernandez at the start of the play, where it matters most."
More from Riggo's Rag
- What will Emmanuel Forbes bring to the Washington Commanders?
- Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props
- 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
- 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft
- Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell
Hernandez’s rise as of late has been so impressive that drafting him at No. 13 wouldn’t be a terrible idea for the Washington Redskins. Of course, they may want to work toward solidifying the defense or nabbing a quarterback (which they shouldn’t) with that pick, but nonetheless, Hernandez has the size, strength, and production to warrant a very early look. He would be an immediate upgrade over Shawn Lauvao, and in time, he and Trent Williams could form a fearsome combination.
Aside from Hernandez, Colby Gossett of Appalachian State is another offensive guard prospect to watch. He had a very solid practice week, displaying an affinity for getting a jump on the start of the play. When his first assignment disengaged, he always seemed eager to look for work. Standing at 6-foot-6, 315, Gossett has the size to emerge at the next level. If the Washington Redskins aren’t willing to draft Hernandez so early, they can easily choose Gossett as a backup plan in the middle rounds.
No. 3 – DT Andrew Brown – Virginia
It was an exceptional week for hometown prospect Andrew Brown, and a week in which he did not get the credit he deserves. He’s a disruptive player at the line, and he could bring great value to the Washington Redskins in the 2018 NFL Draft.
For Brown, 6-foot-4, 285, everything about him screams potential. He has long arms and great size. His first step off the snap is lightning quick, and he uses his length and hands well. He moves very well for his size, and in the game today, that was evident. Every play, he seemed to make a dent in the pocket for the South team.
Although his production in college may have flown under the radar, he is a very intriguing prospect, worth a look in the middle rounds from the Washington Redskins. Paired with Jonathan Allen and Matt Ioannidis, he could clear the way for a resurgence of the Redskins’ defensive line in due time.
No. 2 – EDGE Jalyn Holmes – Ohio State
Jalyn Holmes isn’t the flashiest prospect, and he didn’t produce at a high level in college. But the Washington Redskins will need to grab edge rusher depth in the middle rounds this year, and Holmes would serve that purpose to perfection.
Holmes had a decent week. During practices, he didn’t do anything that caught scouts’ attention, but in the game, he made an impact, logging a pass deflection and using a devastating spin move to take down Kurt Benkert for a sack in the first half. He’s not the only edge rusher that made an impact earlier, but his draft projection, combined with his potential, makes him an enticing prospect for the Washington Redskins. Here’s what I had to say about him in another draft article:
"[Holmes started seven games in his senior year.] With talented edge rushers Sam Hubbard and Nick Bosa on the roster, Holmes still managed to crack the lineup, and he made some plays as well. Holmes, 6-foot-5, 270, finished his college career with 5.0 sacks (2.0 in his final year), 15.0 tackles for loss, 85 total tackles, and three forced fumbles."
After a fairly solid week in Mobile, culminating with an impressive showing in the Senior Bowl game, Holmes’ stock is slowly rising. He’s athletic, stocky, and fluid all at the same time, and come draft day, he could be a good get for Bruce Allen and Co.
No. 1 – QB Kyle Lauletta – Richmond
Guys, I can’t stress this enough.
Kyle Lauletta is the real deal.
He wasn’t the only quarterback who played well today in the Senior Bowl. Josh Allen had a very impressive third quarter. Mike White, whom the Redskins met with earlier in the week, had a beautiful, crisp touchdown pass to start out the day. Others shined. But Lauletta shined the brightest.
All week, Lauletta impressed scouts with his intangibles, fundamentals, and overall grasp of the game, and earlier today in the real contest, he showed that he could implement those traits in live action. In the third and fourth quarters, he extinguished an attempted comeback by the North squad, completing 8 of 12 passes for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns.
He was almost perfect, showing an incredible combination of zing and touch on his tosses. He made all the throws. Slants, outs, fades, go routes. His footwork was superb, and his pocket movement was relaxed and very smooth. He was rather appropriately named MVP of the Senior Bowl, and it’s easy to see why. Lauletta showed that he can play, and maybe now, his name will start to latch on.
Next: Five draft prospects who could start immediately for Redskins
Last year, the standout quarterback in the Senior Bowl was Carson Wentz. The year before, it was Dak Prescott. This trend appears to be on the verge of continuing with Kyle Lauletta, and this time, the Washington Redskins need to be the NFC East team on the winning end.