The Senior Bowl is perfect opportunity to get a look at the top Senior college football players that you may not have gotten a chance to see during the season. It is the best of the best and you have to be invited to play in the Senior Bowl. The coaching is done by NFL staffs and scouts, head coaches and other team coaches show up to get their first initial, up close looks at the future NFL stars. Many teams take the opportunities to interview several of the players prior to the NFL combine. The practices really tell a ton during the week with the game being the dessert so to speak. On Saturday, several future Steelers will be playing as well. Below are a few players you should keep your eyes on this weekend as I feel they as good of chance as any to be Steelers this season.
NT Cam Thomas (North Carolina) – Everyone talks about Terrence Cody and Dan Williams as 3-4 nose tackles, but the guy with the most upside and value is Cam Thomas. He measured at almost 6-4 and weighed 331 pounds. Thomas is having a great week in Mobile and the Steelers could snake him in the middle rounds as a long-term solution at nose tackle. Watch him close this weekend.
SS Larry Asante (Nebraska) – The Nebraska safety has not shied away from hitting this week according to reports and has seen his stock rise a little. He needs to improve his coverage skills, but could be a mid to late round prospect with tons of upside. Plays a little raw, but the talent is there. Could make an instant impact on special teams and will likely be on the board late.
SS Myron Rolle (Florida State) – The FSU safety has turned a bunch of heads in Mobile, mostly for his smarts. Rolle can play too. He showed up in excellent shape and has improved his hip flipping ability and footwork. He can really watch his stock rise this week with a strong game and follow it up with a great combine showing. It is no secret the Steelers need depth at the safety position. Rolle could be it in the form of a mid round pick.
G/T John Jerry (Mississippi) – Jerry is the brother of Falcons offensive lineman, Peria Jerry. He has been worked at both right guard and right tackle during the week and showed up a bit trimmer this week. He shows more polish then the other top linemen and has a ton of upside. Jerry currently is projected as a late 4th round pick and could be the future right guard the Steelers have been looking for.
ILB Darryl Sharpton (Miami) – Undersized is the initial knock on Miami Hurricanes inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton, but there is nothing wrong with his motor. He is picking up all linebacker positions. Sharpton has great instincts and can read and react better than any inside linebacker at the Senior Bowl. A big game could vault him into the end of the 3rd round. A perfect spot for the Steelers to look at getting a future inside linebacker and captain.
