The first major week of draft season is upon us with the top senior prospects converging on Mobile, Ala., for the 2020 Senior Bowl. Future first-rounders participate in the Senior Bowl each year, giving teams an additional look at many of the best players in the country for a week of practice.
The game will take place on Saturday between the North and South squads, but a lot can be learned in drills leading up to the game.
Here are 10 prospects at the Senior Bowl the Rams (and fans) should be watching this week and on Saturday afternoon during the game.
Houston OT Josh Jones
Jones is a borderline first-round prospect, but he would be a potential replacement for Andrew Whitworth if he retires or leaves in free agency this offseason. He’s arguably the best offensive line prospect in Mobile this week and only played left tackle in college, which should make it an easier transition to the NFL at that spot. Landing Jones in the second round would be a huge steal for the Rams, especially if Whitworth isn’t back in 2020.
Alabama OLB Terrell Lewis
The Rams could be more versatile under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, and Lewis offers the flexibility at outside linebacker and as a down-lineman in sub-packages. His college production was limited to only seven sacks in 14 games, missing all of the 2018 season due to injury.
Washington OL Nick Harris
If the Rams aren’t committed to Brian Allen at center, Harris would make a good replacement. Though not the biggest offensive lineman, he can still hold his own on the interior. He’s played both center and guard in his career, so that versatility is an added bonus, but he projects best at center. Harris fills a position of need on the interior of the offensive line, which might be the Rams’ biggest hole this offseason.
Wisconsin OLB Zach Baun
Baun is one of the most intriguing players in Mobile. He can rush the passer off the edge and line up inside as an off-ball linebacker, giving whichever team drafts him countless options. That sort of versatility would be invaluable for the Rams, especially with Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. potentially leaving in free agency. He should rise up draft boards from now until April.
Auburn OT Prince Tega Wanogho
Wanogho hasn’t been playing football very long, but his ceiling is sky-high. He wouldn’t be an immediate starter like Jones would, but in the event that Whitworth comes back for one last ride, Wanogho would benefit greatly from a year of learning behind the veteran left tackle – especially as a run blocker.
Temple C Matt Hennessy
Hennessy might just be the best center in the draft, which could get him drafted in the first round. Allen struggled when healthy last season in his first year as a starter, and the Rams aren’t necessarily committed to him long-term. Hennessy would solve a lot of problems for Los Angeles on the interior and shore up a weak spot from last season.
LSU C Lloyd Cushenberry
Cushenberry is one of many quality draft prospects to hail from the LSU championship team from this past season. He should be selected in the first two rounds and his sweet spot might just be in the 50s where the Rams are picking. Cushenberry could be a Day 1 starter in the NFL depending on which team he goes to.
TCU CB Jeff Gladney
The Rams don’t have an immediate need at cornerback, but Nickell Robey-Coleman has a team option in 2020 and both Troy Hill and Jalen Ramsey have just one year left on their deals. Corner is a position you can never have enough quality players at, and Gladney is exactly that. He’s a great run defender and has good athleticism, fitting nicely in the Rams’ man-heavy scheme.
Appalachian State LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
Davis-Gaither can play all over the defense and while somewhat undersized, his athleticism and speed will get him on the field early. As a Day 3 prospect, Davis-Gaither would be a good value for the Rams on the final day of the draft.
Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings
Jennings is listed as an inside linebacker at the Senior Bowl after primarily playing outside at Alabama, so he’ll be tested at a new position. He had a career-high eight sacks in 2019 with 12.5 tackles for loss, and while he’s not a refined prospect, the Rams could use some edge rushers in the event that Fowler doesn’t come back.
