The Senior Bowl concluded on Saturday afternoon with the North squad defeating the South squad, 34-17.
The Seattle Seahawks have always used the Senior Bowl to evaluate talent, and plenty of recent draft picks (including 2019 first rounder L.J. Collier) shined during the contest.
As such, a list of high performers from the 2020 game could be a good starting point when evaluating potential targets for the Seahawks come draft day.
With a handful of positions in flux next season, including the offensive and defensive lines and the wide receiver spot, here are three Senior Bowl high-performers who could be on the Seahawks radar as they get ready for the combine and, eventually, the draft itself.
Damien Lewis, Right Guard, LSU
Lewis started for the South squad at guard on Saturday and did a great job of protecting Oregon quarterback Justin Hebert, earning himself some praise and a move up on many rankings.
Lewis is more of a run-blocker than a pass-protector, which tends to be what Pete Carroll and company look for in their offensive line prospects. He has a ton of natural strength, which showed through in the Senior Bowl against quality opponents.
With D.J. Fluker a potential opt-out candidate, and Mike Iupati, George Fant and Germain Ifedi set to hit free agency – along with the potential cut of Justin Britt – the Seahawks have a lot of holes to fill on the offensive line.
Lewis is a middle round candidate, and would join Phil Haynes, Ethan Pocic and Jamarco Jones as young interior offensive lineman looking for a spot on Seattle’s line in 2020.
Chase Claypool, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
The Seahawks may have drafted three receivers last season, but Gary Jennings is gone and John Ursua is a speedy slot receiver, giving the team a need on the outside.
Josh Gordon filled that role briefly, but another indefinite suspension for drug abuse puts him out of the picture, and the combination of Jaron Brown, Malik Turner and David Moore didn’t do enough to inspire confidence that any of them will step up into that No. 3 role behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
Claypool would be an excellent target for the Seahawks in the middle rounds as a 6’4, 229 pound outside receiver who uses his size well and is known for his diverse route tree. He recorded two catches for just six yards in the Senior Bowl, but one of them was a five-yard touchdown reception.
Speed is a bit of a concern for Claypool however, something the Seahawks can certainly work on with him. He’ll need to prove he can gain separation at the next level in order to be effective, but the Seahawks would immediately add legitimate competition for their No. 3 receiver role if they are able to snag Claypool in the draft.
Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
Robinson was one of the biggest risers in the Senior Bowl, recording 1.5 sacks in the contest, despite only recording 4.5 sacks in his final year at Syracuse.
Robinson was a bit of a late bloomer, but his skill set has most scouts projecting him as a hand-in-the-ground 4-3 defensive end, making him a fit in Seattle.
The Seahawks have not been afraid to take Senior Bowl star performers at defensive end, including L.J. Collier last year, and the free agency of Jadeveon Clowney, Ziggy Ansah and Quinton Jefferson – not to mention the lack of performance from the unit as a whole in 2019 – makes finding some more edge rushers a major priority this offseason.
Robinson isn’t projected as a first, or even second day pick, but he could be a nice depth addition on day three of the draft while he continues to hone his skills and emerge as a viable 4-3 end in the NFL.
