NFL Draft: TaxSlayer Bowl

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College football bowl season is under way. If you are like most NFL fans, you know some players on the top college football teams but that is about it. As a Bears fan, my NFL season has been over for weeks so I’ve gotten an early start on my scouting for next year’s NFL draft.

I love watching football even if it’s games I have no rooting interest in, so over the holidays I end watching a lot of random bowl games. One thing that makes the bowl games more interesting for me is to keep an eye on players who will be drafted next season. This year I will breaking down the players who have a shot at getting drafted for most of the remaining bowl games. If you end up watching the TaxSlayer Bowl, here are some players to keep an eye on.

TaxSlayer Bowl: Iowa vs Tennessee

When: Jan. 2nd, 3:20 PM (EST)

Iowa

Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

OT Brandon Scherff, SR #68 (6’5 | 320 | 4.93)

Scouting report – A bulldozer as a run blocker with excellent strength and consistent technique. Scherff had some problems with speed-rushers this season which some scouts think will force a move to the right side in the NFL. Despite some occasional struggles, Scherff’s footwork in pass pro is pretty solid and he wins most battles with a good initial punch and a solid base. As a LT I think his floor is an average NFL starter, but he could be a Pro Bowl caliber player on the right side early in his career so that may be where he ends up.

Projection: 1st-2nd round.

DT Carl Davis, SR #71 (6’5 | 315 | 5.12)

Scouting report – Powerful run-stuffer with enough athleticism to eventually develop some pass rush ability. Davis moves very well for his size and was strong enough to break some weight-room records at Iowa. He uses that strength to hold up well against double-teams and should be a solid 1-tech at the next level. Despite his unusual athleticism, Davis wasn’t very productive as a pass rusher. He can get to the QB if a lane is there, but hasn’t shown the moves to make things happen on his own. The talent is there though for Davis to develop pass-rush skills and worst-case he should be an above average run stopper inside.

Projection: 2nd-3rd round

DT Louis Trinca-Pasat, SR #90 (6’2 | 290 | 4.98)

Scouting report – Productive interior pass rusher, who had 6.5 sacks and 10.5 TFLs this season. He is quick of the ball and uses his hands well to maintain separation and disengage to attack ball carriers. Trinca-Pasat needs to get stronger to continue his production in the NFL, but has the potential to be a rotation 3-tech.

Projection: 3rd-4th round

OG Jordan Walsh, JR #65 (6’3 | 290 | 5.24)

Scouting report – Aggressive blocker with a well rounded skill-set. Walsh would benefit from one more year at Iowa to clean up his technique, but has enough talent that he will get drafted if he declares early. He holds his ground well in pass pro, is mobile enough to get to 2nd level, and may have the versatility to slide over to center.

Projection: 4th-5th round

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