DALLAS, Texas – The Denver Broncos staff was selected to coach the North Team and the Houston Texans staff was selected to coach the South Team in the 69th annual Senior Bowl held at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile Alabama.
The Senior Bowl is an annual All-Star college football game featuring collegiate seniors who played Division 1 football and are prospects for the 2018 National Football League Draft. Each year since 1951, the teams chosen by the NFL to coach the contest bring their training, video, and equipment staff to maximize the players experience in the Senior Bowl. Along with both coaching staffs selected, each year nearly 1,000 general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, scouts, and personal directors from all 32 NFL teams attend the Senior Bowl week’s events in Mobile including 3 practices before the game.
Since the Cowboys are not one of the two teams prepping for Super bowl 52, it is time for them to prepare for the 2018 Senior Bowl as they head into the off-season. Both Tackle Zack Martin and Quarterback Dak Prescott performed well in their Senior Bowl games and impressed scouts. In 2016 Dak was named the game’s Most Valuable Player playing against the Cowboy’s coaching staff. Several prospects the Cowboys should be watching in the 2018 Senior Bowl:
OLB Shaquem Griffin – Is an Outside Linebacker for Central Florida playing on the South Team. Griffin lost his left hand at the age of four due to a rare birth condition. He should not be overlooked because of his disability. He is all over the field and around the ball. The Cowboys need better depth at this position for when Sean Lee is out with injury like he was this past season. Griffin’s playmaking ability and instincts mirror that of All-Pro Sean Lee and Griffin would be a great performer on the field for the Cowboys if given the chance.
WR Jaleel Scott – A Wide Receiver for New Mexico State playing for the North Team. With the lack of chemistry and consistency this past season with Dak and his receivers, the Cowboys need a playmaker on offense to upgrade our passing game and Scott could be the guy. His size as a 6-6 215 pound WR, his competitive nature, and his ability to beat his opponent on press-man coverage is what the Cowboys need. It will be worth watching for the Cowboys to see how he handles the ball for Big 12 Quarterback Baker Mayfield.
DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo – Is a Defensive End for Oklahoma playing for the North Team opposite line from his familiar Quarterback and teammate Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma. His quickness off the ball and work ethic during a game is what the Cowboys need to be watching and looking for. He is a big-time pass rusher and the Cowboys could use Okoronkwo in a nickel defense to create pressure.
OT Brian O’Neill – An Outside Tackle for Pittsburgh playing for the North Team. The Cowboys need better strength at the Tackle position for when All-Pro Tyron Smith is absent with injury and O’Neill would be a perfect substitute for Smith in the Cowboy’s offensive line protecting Dak against the rush as Smith battles injury and continues to age. O’Neill pays attention to technique and the movement of his hands and feet on the field are the best at his position. He is able to anticipate and adjust on plays when opponents try to take him wide or on the inside.
Senior Bowl practices will be held from January 23-25 and will be televised by NFL Network and sessions from January 24-25 will be televised by ESPNU.
