There are few offseason events bigger than the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.; it’s the first time coaches, scouts, and front office executives from around the NFL gather and socialize after the regular season has wrapped up. For many teams, the New Orleans Saints included, it’s a hiring opportunity to fill holes on the coaching staff. But the central mission is to get a real first impression with top draft prospects in the year’s most prominent collegiate all-star game.
That’s been a priority for the Saints, who have frequently gone on to add players who participated in the game and the three days of practices that precede it. Since Jeff Ireland joined (and quickly took over) the scouting department, they’ve used this opportunity to interview many draft prospects. In fact, the Saints have drafted at least one player from the Senior Bowl each year that Ireland has been with the team, and often double-dipped. Here’s the full list (draft picks in italics):
- 2015: LB Stephone Anthony
- 2015: LB Hau’oli Kikaha
- 2015: QB Garrett Grayson
- 2015: DT Kaleb Eulls
- 2016: DT Sheldon Rankins
- 2016: OL Jack Allen
- 2017: LB Alex Anzalone
- 2017: WR Travin Dural
- 2018: DE Marcus Davenport
- 2018: WR Tre’Quan Smith
- 2018: TE Deon Yelder
- 2019: OL Erik McCoy
- 2019: DE Carl Granderson
So while it isn’t a guarantee that the Saints will pick anyone who plays in the Senior Bowl, it’s a good bet that some players will leave a lasting impression on Ireland and his scouts, as well as Sean Payton and his coaches. They’ll meet again at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis late in February, and possibly again at various pro day workouts or official facilities visits in New Orleans during the months leading up to April’s draft.
This is just one data point in eventual decisions that will bring new additions to the Saints, but it’s one worth watching. Ready or not, the offseason is here. You can find a complete guide to this year’s Senior Bowl over at Draft Wire through this link, as well as a top-50 ranking of the best prospects in this year’s game here.
