QB Colin Kaepernick UP

Having the best week in practice of any north QB, including Jake Locker. He’s got a good chance, with a good game on Saturday, to move himself up a couple rounds from round 6 to around round 4. Still a huge project, but I’m liking what I’m seeing so far. The arm strength is there, the athleticism is  there, the delivery has improved, his mechanics and his footwork need the most work, and he struggles with touch, but there’s a lot of potential there.

RB Derrick Locke UP

Not a lot you can tell about a running back without full speed tackle from the defense, but he looks fast and explosive and is separating himself from the large amount of 3^rd down/kick return type backs in this class. Intrigued to see him play full speed on Saturday.

RB Kendall Hunter UP

The north’s version of Derrick Locke, with better size. Hunter has shown good burst out of the backfield. Also was the most impressive back in pass protection, which was surprising at his size, 5-7 199. That helps him tremendously as a third down back. I think he could have a huge day Saturday and make himself a 3^rd rounder.

RB Bilal Powell UP

Another running back who has done well in practice that I’m looking forward to seeing on Saturday. Drew Michael Turner comparisons today. I wouldn’t go that far, but I liked what I saw of the kid. He had a huge breakout year in 2010 for Louisville and is reportedly a tremendous character kid after turning his life around.

WR Greg Salas UP

Showing very good hands and instincts as a route runner. He lacks breakaway speed and he’s coming out of a weird system that bloated his stats, but I think he could be an early day 3 guy. The Davone Bess comparisons make sense.

WR Courtney Smith DOWN

If someone were to make a montage video of his week in Mobile, it would be a good minute plus of him dropping balls and getting yelled at by his coaches. Single worst week of any player here. If he gets drafted, it’s because he’s 6-4. Or because some team forgot to send a scout to Mobile.

WR Leonard Hankerson UP

Continuing to be impressed by this kid. I’ve got him as a 2^nd rounder (up from an early-mid 3^rd) and my #5 receiver.

WR Vincent Brown UP

More of the same from this small school kid. Andre Roberts made himself a 3^rd rounder out of a small school last year with a strong Senior Bowl. That could be Brown this year. Now my #6 receiver.

WR Dwayne Harris UP

Since measuring in two inches shorter than listed, Harris has done nothing but impress. He’s a kick returner as well and should be a high day 3 pick. Could even sneak into the 3^rd round with a strong game Saturday.

TE Lance Kendricks UP

Passing catching well, no surprise there, but he also is doing some surprisingly nice things as a blocker, which is big for his stock.

TE Lee Smith UP

Another impressive day all around for the physically dominating Lee Smith.

OT Gabe Carimi UP

Proving his standing as the best pure right tackle, a mauler with great technique. Hasn’t proved he can play left tackle yet though. If he could somehow do that, he might be the first or second tackle off the board.

OT James Carpenter UP

Didn’t think of him as anything more than a guard coming into this week, but he’s doing very well in individual drills and playing left tackle in 11 on 11 practices. He’s got enough technique against the run to hold his own at 300 pounds and he’s surprisingly very athletic. I think he could be a late day 2 early day 3 pick.

OT James Brewer DOWN

No doubt he’s physically dominant, but he has been really inconsistent in one on ones.

G Lee Ziemba DOWN

Simply put, terrible. His technique is terrible. He gets way too high on every play and is dominated from the start. Doesn’t replant well enough to make up for it. Everyone says he’s a smart kid, but I don’t see the technique. Might be just a guard and nothing more.

G Danny Watkins UP

He may be 27 years old (before draft day), but he is the most polished offensive lineman on either side. There’s no doubt he could start in the NFL from day 1. Phenomenal technique. He can play any scheme. I don’t think he falls out of the 3^rd.

G Rodney Hudson UP

At his size, with his lack of athleticism, he needs to have perfect technique. That’s exactly what he did today. I think he could be interesting as a center. I hope he gets to line up there on Saturday. He might be a better fit at center than at guard, but even as a guard, I still say he’s a 3^rd rounder.

C Kristofer O’Dowd DOWN

Overwhelmed once again. He’s not having a good week. He can’t hold his own one on one with big tackles which is bad if he’s going to be a center.

C Jake Kirkpatrick TCU

The most dominant center in one on ones this week. He might have surpassed O’Dowd as the #3 center in this class. We’ll see more Saturday.

 

DE Allen Bailey DOWN

Another bad day for him. He’s no longer a first round talent in my book (not even a borderline one). He’s going to blow everyone away at the combine, but he’s sucked this week. Too small, too much of a tweener, terrible in one on ones, hasn’t mattered if he was matched up with a guard or a tackle. He’s getting destroyed. Terrible technique.

DE Ryan Kerrigan UP

Had a good day as a stand up rusher which was key because he weighed in at 255.

DE Jeremy Beal DOWN

Beal did not impress at all as a stand up rusher, continuing his bad week. He might be just a 4-3 guy.

DE Brooks Reed UP

Also moved to a stand up position today and played well. Remember, I also thought he had a good day as an end in one on ones yesterday, so he’s having a pretty good week. He’s a feisty competitor.

NT Phil Taylor UP

Working towards beating out Jerrell Powe (junior/Mississippi) for the #1 nose tackle spot. Very surprised by his quickness and pass rushing moves at his size. Interested to see him play on Saturday.

OLB Von Miller UP

Raved about by the NFL Network guys and I agree with them. Obviously weighing in at under 240 pounds hurts, but he’s proven he can play outside linebacker in addition to rush linebacker and his quickness off the edge is unparalleled. He’s someone I really fell in love with as a prospect last season, playing through an injury, improving in coverage, and then going on a “DESTROY ALL QUARTERBACKS!!!!” tear in the 2^nd half of the season once he was healthy. I have no problem with him as a top 15 pick. Hesistant to call him a top 10 pick.

OLB Sam Acho UP

Didn’t have the greatest day as a rush linebacker today, struggling some in coverage, but overall he was pretty solid. This is important because he was overpowered as a stand up end in one on ones Tuesday.

OLB Lawrence Wilson UP

Very good in coverage against tight ends, bigger tight ends today. Tough to stand out as a linebacker at the Senior Bowl, but he’s done it on two straight days for me.

MLB Colin McCarthy UP

30 inch arms hurt on Monday, but he’s played well this week. Not the most athletic guy, but scrappy and always around the ball.

MLB KJ Wright UP

Someone I didn’t know much about coming into this week, he’s big and athletic and can bull rush pretty well for a linebacker. Lined up with his hand down in one on ones and held his own against guys with 60 pounds on him.

MLB Casey Matthews UP

Beat Nate Solder in one on ones on several occasions today. This is relevant because no one’s gotten around Solder today. He also impressed in coverages in 11 on 11s. He did everything right today. He might be a late 2^nd rounder in my book now. I’m looking forward to watching him Saturday.

CB Shareece Wright UP

Bad day yesterday, great day today. Inconsistent definitely, but athletic, flashes brilliance, good upside and coachable. Should be a high day 3 pick.

CB Marcus Gilchrist UP

This tweener was the South’s best coverage defensive back today. Excited to see him play Saturday. I’m particularly interested in where they line him up.

CB Kendric Burney UP

The major knock on him is size, but he had a good day in my opinion today. Very physical for his size within 5 yards and has the speed to keep up with faster guys. Bigger guys can definitely go over the top of him though. He’s also feisty against the run and a fun player to watch. Reminds me of a poor man’s version of Devin McCourty who we all saw last year at the Senior Bowl.