Practices highlight late-round talents
MOBILE, Ala. — The Senior Bowl this year doesn’t quite have the same feel as it has in previous years. That’s probably because of the lack of top quarterbacks in this game. Of the top four quarterbacks in this draft, none are participating in the showcase.
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis was invited but decided to skip it.
But there were some standout players at other positions in Wednesday’s second practice.
These players could also help the Texans, perhaps on the second or third days of the NFL draft, just like safety Jalen Pitre, a second-round pick, did last season. The Texans have needs at many positions heading into the offseason, including defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, quarterback, linebacker and safety.
Here’s a look at some intriguing prospects in Mobile this week:
Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
White is projected by some scouts to go as early as the first round. But if he falls to the second, the Texans ought to take a look at him. The Texans hold the 33rd overall pick. They moved up one spot because the Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick as a result of tampering sanctions from last offseason.
The Texans got decent production from their defensive ends when they were healthy last season, but both Jerry Hughes, who will be 35 next season, and Jonathan Greenard are entering the final years of their deals. Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, who came on strong at the end of the year, is a free agent this offseason.
It’s unclear if White will fall to the second round. A lot will be determined between now and the draft. But he would be great value if he’s available there. White, who is 6-foot-5 and 286 pounds, showed a combination of strength and speed when he went up against offensive tackles in practice. He was dominant in one-onone drills.
“I see myself playing wherever and being flexible and mobile and to go at any position where the team needs me,” White said.
White had 54 tackles and 7½ sacks during his senior season at Georgia Tech.
Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
The quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl haven’t been great, and Kelly has taken full advantage of it. He had an interception and a couple of pass deflections in Wednesday’s practice.
Kelly is 6-1 and 193 pounds, so he has decent size for a cornerback.
He’s projected to be a day two pick, perhaps in the third round. He could be moving up the draft boards soon.
Two of the Texans’ cornerbacks — Tremon Smith and Tavierre Thomas — are pending free agents. And while both could return, they are good enough to get offers elsewhere and command more money.
The Texans own the 65th and 73rd picks in the third round.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Spears, who is 5-10 and 195 pounds, showed out during the American team’s practice. He caught passes out of the backfield for big gains and ran up the middle and made defenders miss.
The Texans need a backup running back for Dameon Pierce. With the
short shelf life on running backs, the Texans went to him far too often in 2022 as they tried to establish their ground game. Finding someone who can help take the load off Pierce would be wise, especially if they can find someone who can do things that he was unable to do.
While Pierce was one of the best runners in the league, he did not have many catches.
It seems like Spears can do it all. He ran for 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns last season.
“Tyjae is a really thickly built guy,” said Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London, who is serving as the offensive coordinator for the American team. “He’s tough, he’s got good balance, good vision, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, he’s explosive and he’s made plays every day we’ve been out here. He’s going to have a really good NFL career.”
Nathaniel ‘Tank’ Dell, WR, Houston
Dell had another impressive day in practice. It’s hard for opposing cornerbacks to contain him.
Dell, who is 5-10 and 163 pounds, led the country in receiving yards (1,398) and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2022 and was second in receptions (109).
Dell will be a solid slot receiver and return man. The Texans are expected to get back wide receiver John Metchie, who missed the 2022 season after he was diagnosed with a rare acute form of leukemia. Metchie likely will play in the slot.
But with Dell, you can never have too many weapons.