By Adam Aniba
Washington will have their new talent evaluators at the Senior Bowl with new GM Martin Mahew and new VP of Football/Player Personnel Marty Hurney. The duo will have the tall task of adding talent to an offense that finished 30th in the NFL. Their track record has been questioned during their time in Detroit and Carolina. One thing seems clear though; they're in Mobile representing Ron Rivera to look for solutions at linebacker, safety and cornerback on defense. Fans will gravitate to the big names in the early portions of the draft, but building blocks and potential starters are often found at the Senior Bowl.
After reviewing the college film of some of the participants, 5 Offensive Under the Radar Prospects stood out on defense and should be in play on Day 3 of the draft.
Jamie Newman QB
UGA/Wake Forest
3rd-4th Round Grade
Height: 6 feet, 2 7/8 inches
Weight: 235
Wingspan: 76 inches
Arm length: 30 1/2 inches
Hand size: 10 inches
Career Stats (19 games for Wake Forest '18-'19) 306/506 3959 yds 35 td's 11 ints
with 826 YR 10 td's
2020 (University of Georgia as a graduate transfer opted out COVID)
Jamie Newman is a quarterback prospect that we view at The Burgundy and Gold Report as one of the biggest wild-card signal callers in this class. Most evaluators that spent time talking with his coaches and teammates echoed the same sentiment, which was that Newman would do whatever it took to help the team. Some questioned his decision to opt out of the season due to COVID, especially after just transferring from Wake Forest to UGA. Many followed suit after Newman, so even though he never took a snap at UGA, missing the season shouldn't be held against him.
Newman is the protypical, dual-threat quarterback and Wake Forest frequently utilized him in designed power runs, but he also displayed a strong arm with decent accuracy (35 td's only 11 int's). He's a developmental prospect with tremendous upside, but will need a lot of work on his anticipation throws. In the end, Newman's ability to navigate in the pocket but keep his attention downfield, make him a prospect worth taking a flier on. A creative team could find ways to utilize him early in his career, but designing an offense that allows him to use his athleticism and quick reads is what he's best suited for.
Although Washington's quarterback situation needs to be addressed in the draft, if they miss on trading for Detroit QB Matt Stafford, they won't be in position to take one of the top 4 quarterbacks at pick #19. Newman would be a step up from UDFA Steven Montez and if he falls the late stages of Day 3, he should be in play for Washington.
Shi Smith WR
South Carolina
4rd-5th Round Grade
Height: 5 feet, 10 inches
Weight: 186
Wingspan: 75 1/2 inches
Arm length: 31 1/4 inches
Hand size: 9 3/4 inches
Career Stats (42 games) 174 rec 2204 YR 13 td's 11.1 PR
2020 57 rec 633 YDS 4 td's 11.1 PR
Although Shi Smith's 42 game numbers don't jump out, his ability to be shifty and overall toughness do. Playing behind former teammate and current 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel gave Smith the blueprint for being a versatile playmaker who can also take the tough hits. Time and time again, Smith took took big hits while going over the middle, only to pop up and signal 1st down. Similar to Samuel, S.Carolina coaches deployed Smith from all over the field, including the backfield in sub-packages. Smith's return experience was limited (21 KR in 4 seasons 21.3 KRA) but special teams will be his ticket to get selected.
Slot receiver is a glaring need for Washington since Jamison Crowder is the last consistent playmaker they had at the position. Ironically, Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network had the following to say about Smith.
"Some wow catches on his reel thanks to body control and sense of timing to high-point the football as necessary despite his lack of ideal stature for above the rim targets. Reminds me some of Jamison Crowder".
Shi Smith will likely get drafted higher than his 4th-5th round draft grade, but Ron Rivera would be wise to select the Gamecock receiver if available in the 4th. Adding a speedy compliment to Terry McLaurin, who can also line up outside, would greatly help this passing game that has struggled to get the ball downfield.
Michael Carter RB
North Carolina
Mid-Late 2nd Round Grade
Height: 5 feet, 7 7/8 inches
Weight: 202
Wingspan: 73 1/2 inches
Arm length: 29 1/8 inches
Hand size: 9 inches
Career Stats (44 games) 514 rush att 3,404 yds 22 td's 6.6 ypc and 82 rec 656 YR 6 td's
2020 156 rush att 1,245 9 td's 8.0 ypc and 25 rec for 267 2 td's
UNC running back Michael Carter burst onto the scene racking up 2,669 total yards from scrimmage with 16 td's in a two season span in 2019-2020. Carter's 656 career receiving yards are a tell of what he can be on the next level. At just under 5'8" and a lean 202 lbs, many believe he'll only be a 3rd down/scat back. After the film was reviewed for the last two season, it's apparent that Carter can be much more.
Carter's ability to get small in tight holes with suddenness display his ability a a runner between the tackles, but bouncing it outside is where the Tar Heel back displayed his elusiveness and burst. He wastes little movement dancing around and shows decisiveness when holes open up. Carter also displayed the ability to be an adequate blocker, but of course, going from the ACC to the NFL is a different beast. As overall blocking ability goes, you're still getting a prospect who isn't raw in this key area.
Ron Rivera leaned more on rookie Antonio Gibson during the final stretch of the season, even though Gibson was still dealing with a turf toe injury. Mixing in J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber in the run game had little success. McKissic was targeted on short passes to flat with positive results, at times. Washington will surely target a back in free agency and/or the draft. Carter would be a wise pick if he sonehow drops to the late portion of round 3.
Quintin Morris TE
Bowling Green
6th Round-Undrafted Grade
Height: 6 feet, 2 1/4 inches
Weight: 251
Wingspan: 80 3/4 inches
Arm length: 32 1/2 inches
Hand size: 10 1/2 inches
Career (37 games) 125 rec 1529 yards 13 td's with a 12.2 per rec average
2020 (5 games COVID) 20 rec 247 yards 12.2 per rec average
Former HS receiver and basketball player , who transitioned to tight end
Bowling Green tight end Quintin Morris was a former HS receiver, but also excelled as a basketball player. Although his coaches used him in a variety of ways early on, they realized his sub 4.6 forty speed could be better utilized. Morris added weight and excelled in a tight end/H-Back role. His thick upper and lower body allow him to to excel at YAC. Morris welcomes contact and looks more like an athletic fullback as opposed to a WR/TE hybrid.
Washington has been looking for a competent tight end since Jordan Reed's career in Washington ended after multiple concussions. Former VA Tech, quarterback/converted tight end, Logan Thomas, had the best season of any tight end in the NFC East, surprising many. Adding a compliment with the ability that Morris has shown could open up more opportunities for Thomas in the passing game. The ability to line up in 12 personnel packages with two tight end sets, late in games, can be invaluable. Morris is the versatile type of tight end that Scott Turner can have success with as a TE2.
David Moore OG
Grambling State
4th-5th Round Grade
Height: 6 feet, 1 5/8 inches
Weight: 350
Wingspan: 82 5/8 inches
Arm length: 32 5/8 inches
Hand size: 9 5/8 inches
An under the radar prospect from Grambling State received the first invite for a HBCU draft prospect in Senior Bowl history. Interior OL David Moore opened eyes with Twitter game clips displaying his ferocious blocks and knocking down pass rushers as they try to get back up. Saying Moore has a mean streak would be an understatement. Moore isn't viewed as the most athletic lineman, but he shows more than enough ability to pull and utilizes his wide base to to clear running holes.
Washington's offense seems to have morphed into a motion offense that will ask lineman to block on the perimeter for screens more consistently. At just over 6'1", Moore showed time and time again against bigger rushers that he could get under their pads, essentially stonewalling them. Washington's offensive line is still a work in progress, particularly on the left side. At Left Guard, Wes Schweitzer (if brought back) Wes Martin and Saahdiq Charles will likely compete for the starting LG slot if another player isn't signed/drafted.
The Grambling IOL would be a perfect fit and should be a legit option if available when Washington's 4th round pick rolls around. David Moore is one of our favorite small schoolers in this year's class and will be featured in an upcoming Burgundy and Gold Report; Small School Prospect Spotlight.
After the Senior Bowl concludes The Burgundy and Gold Report will be adding more draft prospect evaluations with a few Small School Prospect Spotlights that you won't want to miss!
*All Senior Bowl prospect measurements noted by The Burgundy and Gold Report were found directly on the Senior Bowl official website. Just CLICK Senior Bowl logo to go direct to their site.
*Draft grades cross referenced with TDN grades
Written By Adam Aniba