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2015 NFL Draft: East-West Shrine Game defensive preview
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 9, 2015 1:30 pm
Southern Cal DB Josh Shaw needs to impress scouts after his tumultuous 2014 season. (Getty Images)
There are a handful of teams still alive in the NFL playoffs, fighting for a spot in Super BowlXLIX. But for the majority of NFL teams, the 2014 season is a distant memory as scouts, coaches and other front-office members have already begun the pre-draft process. And one of the first chapters of that journey is the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., an all-star exhibition game for senior prospects.
The 90th East-West Shrine Game will be played at Tropicana Field on Sat., Jan. 17, with daily practices on the days leading up to the game, starting Monday.
The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the following week is the premiere senior prospect all-star game, but the Shrine Game will showcase dozens of future NFL starters as well. More than 100 players from last year's game were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents, including second-round pick QB Jimmy Garoppolo and third-rounders DT Jay Bromley, DE Will Clarke, CB Phillip Gaines and WR John Brown.
This year's Shrine Game is loaded with NFL talent once again. Below are 10 defensive players I'll be focusing on during the week of practice.
DE Za'Darius Smith, Kentucky: A basketball player growing up, Smith didn't play football until his senior year in high school, followed by a few years at the juco level and then the SEC where he starred at Kentucky. He has heavy hands and knows how to use his length, projecting him as a base end.
DE Anthony Chickillo, Miami (Fla.): The first three-generation student-athlete at Miami, Chickillo arrived in Coral Gables as a top recruit, but his senior game tape looks very similar to his performance as a true freshman. He is more of a run stuffer than pass rusher and projects as a rotational end.
DT Darius Kilgo, Maryland: A stout run stuffer, Kilgo will generate movement with his brute strength, bullying blockers into the pocket. He is aggressive, but still learning how to use his hands and needs technique work, projecting as a one-gap nose tackle in the NFL.
DT Tyeler Davison, Fresno State: A versatile defender who lined up everywhere on Fresno's line, Davison is built like a rock and is at his best as a block-eater. He doesn't always have a consistent plan, but does an excellent job occupying multiple bodies up front.
DT Chucky Hunter, TCU: A three-year starter, Hunter has been an active ingredient to the Horned Frogs' success on defense, getting upfield quickly and also protecting the edge. He brings a good mix of strength and foot quickness to be a two-down interior presence.
OLB Tony Washington, Oregon: The Ducks' current version of Dion Jordan, Washington lines up in the slot, off the edge and multiple other spots as a rotational linebacker. He is playing in the national title game Monday night so he'll miss half of the week.
ILB Bryce Hager, Baylor: The Bears' defense received a huge boost for next season with Shawn Oakman returning, but they will really miss Hager patrolling the middle of the field. He lacks ideal athleticism and range, but his first step and ball awareness are above average.
ILB Ben Heeney, Kansas: A classic overachiever, Heeney leaves it all on the field with his throwback style, thriving on his instincts to be a hunter. His stiffness and lack of range limit his NFL upside, but there's a lot to like about his play speed and read/react skills.
CB Josh Shaw, Southern California: Next week is important for every player in attendance, but especially Shaw who missed most of 2014 after his off-field debacle, jumping from a balcony and then lying about it. He has the size/speed mix to be one of the top senior corners with a good week in St. Pete.
SS Jordan Richards, Stanford: Although he's probably more of a special teams guy in the NFL, Richards is highly intelligent and physical, enjoying contact with his aggressive style. However, he's often overaggressive with wild angles and inconsistencies in space.
Next 10 players: DL James Castleman, Oklahoma State; DL Travis Raciti, San Jose State; DT Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa; LB Quayshawn Nealy, Georgia Tech; LB Jake Ryan, Michigan; LB James Vaughters, Stanford; LB Zach Vigil, Utah State; CB Cam Thomas, Western Kentucky; CB Bryce Callahan, Rice; SS Sam Carter, TCU
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...draft-east-west-shrine-game-defensive-preview
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 9, 2015 1:30 pm
![img24949195.jpg](http://sports.cbsimg.net/u/photos/football/nfl/img24949195.jpg)
Southern Cal DB Josh Shaw needs to impress scouts after his tumultuous 2014 season. (Getty Images)
There are a handful of teams still alive in the NFL playoffs, fighting for a spot in Super BowlXLIX. But for the majority of NFL teams, the 2014 season is a distant memory as scouts, coaches and other front-office members have already begun the pre-draft process. And one of the first chapters of that journey is the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., an all-star exhibition game for senior prospects.
The 90th East-West Shrine Game will be played at Tropicana Field on Sat., Jan. 17, with daily practices on the days leading up to the game, starting Monday.
The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the following week is the premiere senior prospect all-star game, but the Shrine Game will showcase dozens of future NFL starters as well. More than 100 players from last year's game were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents, including second-round pick QB Jimmy Garoppolo and third-rounders DT Jay Bromley, DE Will Clarke, CB Phillip Gaines and WR John Brown.
This year's Shrine Game is loaded with NFL talent once again. Below are 10 defensive players I'll be focusing on during the week of practice.
DE Za'Darius Smith, Kentucky: A basketball player growing up, Smith didn't play football until his senior year in high school, followed by a few years at the juco level and then the SEC where he starred at Kentucky. He has heavy hands and knows how to use his length, projecting him as a base end.
DE Anthony Chickillo, Miami (Fla.): The first three-generation student-athlete at Miami, Chickillo arrived in Coral Gables as a top recruit, but his senior game tape looks very similar to his performance as a true freshman. He is more of a run stuffer than pass rusher and projects as a rotational end.
DT Darius Kilgo, Maryland: A stout run stuffer, Kilgo will generate movement with his brute strength, bullying blockers into the pocket. He is aggressive, but still learning how to use his hands and needs technique work, projecting as a one-gap nose tackle in the NFL.
DT Tyeler Davison, Fresno State: A versatile defender who lined up everywhere on Fresno's line, Davison is built like a rock and is at his best as a block-eater. He doesn't always have a consistent plan, but does an excellent job occupying multiple bodies up front.
DT Chucky Hunter, TCU: A three-year starter, Hunter has been an active ingredient to the Horned Frogs' success on defense, getting upfield quickly and also protecting the edge. He brings a good mix of strength and foot quickness to be a two-down interior presence.
OLB Tony Washington, Oregon: The Ducks' current version of Dion Jordan, Washington lines up in the slot, off the edge and multiple other spots as a rotational linebacker. He is playing in the national title game Monday night so he'll miss half of the week.
ILB Bryce Hager, Baylor: The Bears' defense received a huge boost for next season with Shawn Oakman returning, but they will really miss Hager patrolling the middle of the field. He lacks ideal athleticism and range, but his first step and ball awareness are above average.
ILB Ben Heeney, Kansas: A classic overachiever, Heeney leaves it all on the field with his throwback style, thriving on his instincts to be a hunter. His stiffness and lack of range limit his NFL upside, but there's a lot to like about his play speed and read/react skills.
CB Josh Shaw, Southern California: Next week is important for every player in attendance, but especially Shaw who missed most of 2014 after his off-field debacle, jumping from a balcony and then lying about it. He has the size/speed mix to be one of the top senior corners with a good week in St. Pete.
SS Jordan Richards, Stanford: Although he's probably more of a special teams guy in the NFL, Richards is highly intelligent and physical, enjoying contact with his aggressive style. However, he's often overaggressive with wild angles and inconsistencies in space.
Next 10 players: DL James Castleman, Oklahoma State; DL Travis Raciti, San Jose State; DT Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa; LB Quayshawn Nealy, Georgia Tech; LB Jake Ryan, Michigan; LB James Vaughters, Stanford; LB Zach Vigil, Utah State; CB Cam Thomas, Western Kentucky; CB Bryce Callahan, Rice; SS Sam Carter, TCU
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...draft-east-west-shrine-game-defensive-preview