With all the general managers, coaches, and scouts in attendance for the Senior Bowl, there is a lot of chatter going around. Here are some highlights from around the league on day two of the 2024 Senior Bowl week.
Yesterday in the Hot Press, we discussed how Washington could make veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Allen a cap casualty this offseason. Commanders general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn started a massive roster revamping last offseason, and that revamp will continue this spring. In speaking with team sources, they feel positions that Washington will target for upgrades include edge rusher, offensive tackle, and wide receiver. The Commanders want to continue building up their protection for Jayden Daniels and providing him with more receiver weapons. They also want more long-term edge-rush talent for Quinn’s defense to go with tackles Daron Payne, and Johnny Newton. In a strong class of defensive line talent, picking at 29 could provide a good value at edge rusher with a player that might go in the top 20 in a less deep draft class. There should also be some solid options for tackle and receiver in that range of the first round. Washington also has cap space to attack these positions in free agency. The Commanders look poised to continue their roster upgrading this spring to help them be a heavyweight in the NFC again next season.
Washington is not the only NFC East team that is looking to improve their defensive line this offseason. In speaking with sources with the New York Giants, they would like to add more interior talent to go next to Dexter Lawrence. Of course, the quarterback issue is the top priority for the Giants to address this offseason in the NFL Draft and/or in free agency. After cutting Daniel Jones, quarterback is the No. 1 priority. However after that, sources say the positions that New York have in mind to targe include cornerback, interior defensive line, and the offensive line. Sources say they could add a right tackle in free agency or the draft and move Evan Neal inside to guard. General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll were fortunate to retain their jobs, and they must upgrade the roster for significant improvement next fall to stay in their positions for the 2026 season.
One player emerging as a love/hate prospect is Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker. Sources from four different teams said they had Walker as a first-rounder and thought he would go in the top 20. Sources at four other teams said their team did not have him as a first-rounder, with some saying they had Walker as a second- or third-round pick. Some sources said that Walker is undersized, explosive, twitched up, but an outside linebacker only that can’t play inside linebacker or defensive end. A director of player personnel from a playoff team that is one of the best drafting teams in the league said their team would not take Walker in the first or second round. However, there are enough other sources that are high on him. While Walker is a love/hate prospect, there are enough that love him where he probably will go in the first round next April.
Team interviews are among the most important parts of the Senior Bowl process. Marshall edge rusher Mike Green is one prospect who needs a strong performance in the team interviews. Green had a huge 2024 season with 17 sacks and 81 tackles. However, team sources say that there are multiple off-the-field issues that teams want to discuss with Green. He had some trouble and has dealt with tragedies, so teams want to get to know Green to see if there are character concerns that could lead to him getting pulled from draft boards. On the field, Green needs to show strength and power as a run defender to help him rise in Mobile. Sources say that Green lacks strength and does not rush with power, so he needs to illustrate developmental potential in those areas. Some sources think Green could be a late first-round pick, and others have him in the second round. The Senior Bowl could be a huge week that determines whether Green gets selected on the opening night of the draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft is known to be an excellent year for defensive line talent, as this draft class has an abundance of good prospects at defensive end and defensive tackle. On the other side of the ball, it is said not to be a great year for offensive line talent, but sources say this class is not horrible either. LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. could be competing to be the first offensive lineman drafted, and both could go in the top 20. However, a lot of team sources are not very excited about either of them. They like them as prospects but don’t love them.
Alabama guard Tyler Booker is one offensive line prospect who gets more enthusiasm in conversations with team sources. Sources at many teams think Booker is a superb prospect, and they see a potentially elite guard early in his career. Along with some dominant tape, Booker is viewed as having excellent character and leadership. Sources at multiple teams think Booker will likely get selected in the 15-25 range. Booker is a guard only, and that hurts how high he can go, but he is such a solid and safe pick that sources with teams picking late in the first round think Booker will be gone well before their teams are set to pick. Booker is a prospect to watch and could be a riser during the draft process.
