Redskins: Senior Bowl prospects to watch at positions of need
By Ian Cummings
Wide Receiver
The Redskins have a great foundation at wide receiver with Terry McLaurin and Steven Sims likely taking two starting spots in 2020. They also have good depth with young pass catchers like Kelvin Harmon and Trey Quinn.
That said, the upside of the latter group is limited, and the Redskins could also use a bigger-bodied receiver who can compliment the unique traits of McLaurin and Sims with his own. Luckily for Washington, depth and size are two areas in which the 2020 Senior Bowl wide receiver crop specializes in.
Senior Bowl Wide Receivers to Watch
North Team
Texas A&M WR Quartney Davis: The North Team is loaded with NFL-caliber prospects at wide receiver, so I figured I’d start with my favorite of the bunch: Quartney Davis. A few months ago, I mocked Davis to the Redskins in Round 5. Now, it seems like he’ll go earlier. Davis’ size measured out at around 6-foot-1, 199, at the Senior Bowl, slightly below what was expected. Despite this, Davis has very good length for his size, and he has the short-area explosiveness and foot quickness to be an elite route runner at the next level. His combination of athleticism and nuance gives him versatility, which would certainly be of value to a receiving core that’s still settling.
Baylor WR Denzel Mims: Favorite wide receiver, meet potential favorite wide receiver. Davis is the leader in the clubhouse for now, but Baylor’s Denzel Mims has the upside to surpass him in due time. Measuring in at around 6-foot-3, 209, Mims brings an outstanding mix of length and athleticism to the table. His 78 and 1/4-inch wingspan is the third-longest at the Senior Bowl, and he’s a better athlete than those above him. Mims’ blend of size and speed isn’t just the best at the Senior Bowl, but one of the best in the NFL Draft. He’d be a great get on Day 2.
Ohio State WR K.J. Hill: Terry McLaurin’s collegiate team mate doesn’t have the size that the receivers before him possess, but where K.J. Hill wins is with devastating lateral quickness and release timing. He doesn’t have dominant long speed for a player his size, and this somewhat impeded his production at Ohio State. But Hill can get separation, and that’s ultimately one of the most important things for a receiver prospect.
Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool: Speaking of wingspans, Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool took home the crown there with a whopping 80-inch berth. At 6-foot-4, 230, Claypool offers imposing size for a wide receiver, and he also brings some nuance and physicality to the table. Claypool’s athleticism will be put into question when juxtaposing it with NFL cornerbacks, but Claypool has good mobility nonetheless, and his size presents an automatic mismatch at the next level. He’s not D.K. Metcalf, but he’s impressive in his own right.
SMU WR James Proche: We’re past the North Team prospects worth a look before Round 5, but Mustangs wide receiver James Proche has some appeal later on. He doesn’t have the desired speed for a receiver that’s just 5-foot-10, 196, but Proche presents a high floor as a route runner and catch point specialist. He doesn’t have the athleticism to take on a premier role in the NFL, but his attention to detail and hand strength at the apex will grant him many opportunities.
Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden: He’s not a burner, but Antonio Gandy-Golden wins with dominant focus and physicality at the catch point. It’s a dying niche in an NFL that prioritizes separation, and given Gandy-Golden’s middling athleticism and relative rawness, he’ll likely be a late-round pick in April, similar to Kelvin Harmon last year. That said, Gandy-Golden has one particularly intriguing trait to build off of, one which he consistently produced with at Liberty. That should be enough to grant him a chance in the NFL, but having a strong Senior Bowl showing would do wonders for him.
South Team
Texas WR Collin Johnson: If you value size on the outside and want to go to the extreme there, then Texas receiver Collin Johnson is a guy you’ll want to pay attention to. Johnson is easily the biggest receiver at the Senior Bowl, with a 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame, and a 78-inch wingspan. His size is an undoubtable plus, and he has good relative mobility, although he’ll need to hone his fundamentals to make up for the overall dynamism gap between him and NFL cornerbacks, and separate at the next level.
Tennessee WR Jauan Jennings: At 6-foot-3, 206, Tennessee’s Jauan Jennings is another receiver with good size, and he offers much more dynamic ability after the catch than other pass catchers. He’s not an overly explosive athlete, but he has the toughness and elusiveness to fight for extra yards, and enough freedom in his movement to compete with higher-quality athletes. In a deep class, he likely won’t go until Day 3, where his value is highest.