MOBILE, Ala. — While the game is on Saturday, Thursday was my last day at the Senior Bowl, with practices wrapping up. My primary focus was on the trenches, but there were a few defensive backs and linebackers who were standouts and could be quality 2026 NFL draft targets for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Defensive Line
After Tuesday’s session, I mentioned how Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks was a disappointment with a rough performance. However, he’s been much better during the final practice. Banks had a couple of quick wins as a pass-rusher in the one-on-ones and picked up at least one sack during the full team period. He also had a quality stop as a run defender during team.
On a similar note, Texas Tech edge-rusher Romello Height also had a much better showing. He was winning pretty consistently around the edge as a pass-rusher and didn’t have many (if any) negative reps against the run. It’s still fair to question Height’s game in the latter department, especially at 234 pounds, but his pass-rush skills were evident and impossible to ignore.
Another defensive lineman who caught my eye was Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton. His quickness and athleticism were apparent with a handful of wins as an interior pass-rusher. The Raiders could certainly use help in that department.
Michigan defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny was someone I was hoping to see more from during the first two sessions, and he showed out on Day 3. He had a couple of impressive pass-rush wins in the one-on-ones and made a few notable plays as a run defender in 11-on-11.
Offensive Line
For the most part, the offensive linemen as a whole struggled on Thursday. It was a day that was dominated by the d-line for the most part, with Boise State’s Kage Casey being one of Height’s biggest victims. Also, while Arizona State’s Iheanachor was impressive on Tuesday and Wednesday, he took a few more losses in pass protection during the final session and in the run game during team.
That being said, one offensive tackle who has caught my eye throughout the week was Dametrious Crownover. At nearly 6-foot-7, 331 pounds, his size stands out, and he’s been pretty good in pass protection throughout the week. Crownover came into the week with an undrafted free agent projection, according to NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, but that should change soon.
Linebackers
I’ve been asked about BYU linebacker Jack Kelly a few times and have held off commenting on his performance in the hope that he’d pick it up. However, Kelly stood out more negatively than positively to me, struggling in coverage during the one-on-ones and not making many notable plays against the run during 11-on-11. I wasn’t a big fan of the former Cougar’s game coming into the week, and he didn’t show me anything to doubt my initial evaluation.
On the other end of the spectrum, I was really impressed with Owen Heinecke’s instincts and acceleration against the run over the last two days. The Oklahoma product made several impressive plays during the full team periods. I was unfamiliar with his game heading into the Senior Bowl and will have to flip on the tape in the coming weeks.
Defensive Backs
Former TCU safety Bud Clark continues to make plays, wrapping up an impressive week. He had another interception during 11-on-11 and has showcased good ball skills in Mobile. The Raiders could use a ballhawk like that on the backend of their defense.
One safety who has been a disappointment for me is Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley. He never looked comfortable in Mobile, and every time I noticed him, he was getting beaten. That’s unfortunate because Wheatley was a guy whom I was high on coming into the event.
That’ll do it for this year’s Senior Bowl practice recaps! I’ll be tuning into the game on Saturday and have a full list of standouts for the entire event sometime early next week. Thank you all for great start to draft season!
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