The Reese’s Senior Bowl is the unofficial beginning of draft season. We know which underclassmen have declared, and with only one NFL game left, 30 other NFL teams have their eyes on the draft.
Last week, some of the 2023 NFL draft’s top prospects converged in Mobile, Alabama, with all 32 NFL teams present.
While this wasn’t a standout quarterback class on the field in Mobile, other positions did stand out. Most specifically, it was a good week for teams that needed offensive line help.
The Washington Commanders need offensive line help as much as anyone in the NFL. The Commanders could upgrade up to four positions in 2023. That doesn’t mean Washington is looking for four new starters, but the Commanders will be active in upgrading their offensive line this offseason.
Other positions of interest for Washington include cornerback and linebacker.
We name 10 players who saw their stock rise after their week at the Senior Bowl. For the most part, we’ll focus on positions of interest to the Commanders.
C John Micheal Schmitz [Minnesota]
Washington needs at least one guard, one tackle and a center. Chase Roullier will be expensive in 2023, so it’s no guarantee he returns after missing most of the last two seasons. John Michael Schmitz was already the draft’s top center entering the Senior Bowl, and he increased his profile after a standout week.
Schmitz had a dominant week, and there’s some talk he could land in the first round. He still appears slated to go in round two, but he’d be a terrific option for the Commanders.
John Michael Schmitz can play for my squad any day of the week. pic.twitter.com/7Uf03TTZ1d
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 1, 2023
OT Darnell Wright [Tennessee]
Darnell Wright entered Senior Bowl week as a solid second-rounder and perhaps a fringe first-rounder. Wright dominated his week. At 6-foot-5, 345 pounds, Wright is an instant NFL starter at right tackle. He also played left tackle in college but projects as a right tackle at the next level. Some even believe he could play guard. Wright is definitely in the first-round mix now.
Darnell Wright is a big man to try and go thru pic.twitter.com/qZrHttHrJ0
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) January 31, 2023
OT/G Cody Mauch [North Dakota State]
Cody Mauch will be the latest standout from North Dakota State to be drafted in one of the first two days. The former college offensive tackle projects as a guard at the next level. Mauch would be another day-one starter for the Commanders.
From dancing to dominating, all Cody Mauch has done at the Senior Bowl is turn heads and improve his draft stock 💪 pic.twitter.com/rThKi3kuzt
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 1, 2023
OT Dawand Jones [Ohio State]
Dawand Jones [6-foot-8, 375] is massive and recorded the largest wingspan in Senior Bowl history. Jones impressed NFL coaches with his length and raw power last week, including Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Jones was considered a lock sometime in the second or third round, but could find himself in the first round. Jones could be an option if the Commanders move down, and he’d start day one at right tackle.
Dawand Jones had as dominant a day in 1-on-1's as you'll ever see at the @seniorbowl yesterday pic.twitter.com/oeJChqaMTb
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 1, 2023
RB Tyjae Spears {Tulane]
Tyjae Spears had a terrific 2022 season. His work against USC in the Cotton Bowl, where he led Tulane to an upset win by rushing for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Spears is a dynamic player who fits the modern NFL. His week in the Senior Bowl will move him up draft boards.
No, Washington doesn’t need a running back, but Spears would be an ideal complement to Brian Robinson Jr. He offers a different style and is a home-run hitter. With J.D. McKissic’s future in question and Antonio Gibson entering a contract year, don’t rule out a running back at some point for the Commanders. Spears will likely go too high for Washington.
Tyjae Spears flashed as a runner and receiver all week in Mobile.
Some team is going to be very happy it adds him via the draft this April.
Really good player. https://t.co/ihRdIVXAjR
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 3, 2023
QB Hendon Hooker [Tennessee]
No, Hooker didn’t play in the game or practice as he is recovering from knee surgery. However, he is getting close to being able to run and said he’d be ready for training camp. With no standout quarterbacks in Mobile, Hooker impressed NFL teams by showing up and speaking to them, in addition to supporting his teammates.
In a draft looking for the fifth quarterback, it’s hard to argue against Hooker, whose talent should place him higher on that list. His injury and age [25] will concern some teams. However, he’s a perfect candidate on day two to stash, especially if you have a starting quarterback for 2023. Hooker can play.
The Commanders would be smart to select Hooker and have him and Sam Howell compete in the future. When you don’t have a quarterback, you need to keep taking chances. Both have talent and would have little investment in them, with a potentially big payoff.
Many NFL scouts reportedly believe that Hendon Hooker could “follow in the footsteps” of Dak Prescott.
Hooker reportedly “impressed” many teams during team interviews at the Senior Bowl this past week.
The Tennessee QB’s draft stock is on the rise 👀 pic.twitter.com/ggaktFoMGc
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 5, 2023
LB Daiyan Henley [Washington State]
We talked about Daiyan Henley last week. His work in coverage put him squarely on the NFL radar.
Here’s what NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah said about Henley:
The big test for Henley was how he would hold up in coverage against all-star competition. Well, he passed that test with flying colors. He’s instinctive and he can run. Henley has a chance to be a Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) pick.
Daiyan Henley PBU at the Senior Bowl — the @WSUCougarFB LB can COVER 👀 pic.twitter.com/I81ZCRTMDK
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 1, 2023
LB Ivan Pace [Cincinnati]
Cincinnati linebacker had a terrific week in Mobile. After spending three seasons at Miami [Oh.], Pace spent his final season with the Bearcats, putting him on the NFL radar. Pace was lauded all week for his practice habits and won hardware as the National team’s MVP and top linebacker of the week. Pace isn’t the biggest player, but he’s physical, and his instincts are off the charts. He can also rush the passer. He is a day-one starter for the right NFL team.
He's tiny, but Cincinnati LB Ivan Pace Jr. is a stud. Had a great week in Mobile, and his tape is impressive. Fantastic key & diagnose ability, adjusts his fits to post-snap movements really well, slips around blocks well, athletic — love him. pic.twitter.com/rIVlwAbbwU
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 5, 2023
CB Darius Rush [South Carolina]
Cam Smith is the South Carolina cornerback receiving the first-round buzz. Darius Rush is also going to be a starting NFL cornerback. Measuring in at 6-foot-2, Rush has terrific ball skills and will be a day-two pick. Rush and Julius Brents are players to watch for Washington if it opts for an offensive line in the first round.
CB Darius Rush running a better route than the WR.
Impressive for a 6-2 corner. He has longer arms/wingspan than several OL here. pic.twitter.com/TcA48suQ8f
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 1, 2023
CB Julius Brents [Kansas State]
Does anyone remember a little-known cornerback named Tariq Woolen from UTSA during last year’s Senior Bowl? Woolen’s combination of size, length and athleticism tantalized NFL teams, yet, somehow, he fell to the fifth round in the 2022 NFL draft, where the Seattle Seahawks drafted him. Woolen is already one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks.
Julius Brents isn’t necessarily Woolen, but measuring in at 6-foot-3, he has the length, athleticism and ball skills to excite NFL teams. Teams will not overthink Brents in the same way they did Woolen one year ago. Brents is also a press-man corner.
Kansas State CB Julius Brents is a press-man buzz saw. Check out these 3 #SeniorBowl reps from the press-release drill — neither Nathaniel Dell, Rashee Rice, or Andrei Iosivas could get positioning on him.
If you like press corners, he’s a must-know name. pic.twitter.com/WD4HKLDthu
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) January 31, 2023
