Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Date: January 26, 2013
Kickoff: 4:00pm EST
Stadium: Ladd-Peebles Stadium (40,646), Mobile, Alabama
Television: NFL Network

North Team Roster (Clicking link will download a Microsoft Excel File)

South Team Roster (Clicking link will download a Microsoft Excel File)

Pewter Plank’s Five Players to Watch

Pewter Plank’s Senior Bowl Practice Update

NFL Mocks Senior Bowl Update

Tampa Bay Times Bucs Beat Update

CBS Sports NFL Draft Database

The Senior Bowl is the premier offseason college all-star game in preparation for the NFL Draft. Be sure to check it out on NFL Network this afternoon, and keep an eye on The Pewter Plank for Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Draft updates.

Any players in particular that you’re watching? Anyone you hope the Buccaneers draft? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Follow @ThePewterPlank for the latest Buccaneers news.

Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers have been busy taking a look at many of the cornerbacks at the senior bowl. According to Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs have taken a look at “Washington’s Desmond Trufant, one of the week’s most consistent performers, Oregon State’s Jordan Poyer and Utah State’s Will Davis (…) Among the remaining cornerbacks the Bucs evaluated were UConn’s Dwayne Gratz and Blidi Wreh-Wilson, San Diego State’s Leon McFadden, Georgia’s Sanders Commings and William & Mary’s B.W. Webb.”

We’ve already discussed Trufant earlier this week, so let’s take just a moment to profile the remaining cornerbacks, complete with links to profiles for each player:

Jordan Poyer, Oregon State

Poyer needs to get his mind right off the field to fit in with Coach Schiano and his staff, but on the field the Oregon State prospect passes all the tests. He hauled in 7 interceptions this year, including one returned for a score. Our friends over at Musket Fire have already talked a bit about Poyer, as well, so check out their analysis. Overall, if Jordan has proven that his off the field issues are behind him, he may be considered with the Buccaneers’ second selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Will Davis, Utah State

Another cornerback from out west is on the Buccaneers’ radar, and he comes from the same school from which the Buccaneers selected Michael Smith. Davis has most of the tools, the question is if he faced a high enough level of competition to be prepared for life in the NFL. He had over 60 tackles and 5 interceptions in 2012, while breaking up 17 passes. He’s not the strongest cornerback ever, so he may get pushed around. However, if he has the skills in pass coverage, and it seems he does, he can drastically improve his draft stock with a solid performance in the Senior Bowl. Davis could stick around until the 3rd round,where the Buccaneers would likely select him if they have yet to grab a cornerback.

Dwayne Gratz and Blidi Wreh-Wilson, UConn

Wreh-Wilson is the better of the two Huskies prospects, with 1 interception and 9 passes broken up in 2012. Gratz had 3 interceptions and 11 passes broken up, but does not stand out as much as his cornerback partner.  Wreh-Wilson is likely a 3rd round prospect, while Gratz will fall to the later rounds. Neither is spectacular, and UConn is not the best football school, but the Senior Bowl is an obvious chance for one or the other to stand out.

Leon McFadden, San Diego State

McFadden is currently somewhat injured and may not play in the Senior Bowl to avoid further complications. However, he is apparently in attendance and meeting with teams. He tallied 61 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 12 passes broken up in 2012. He’s currently seen as a middle rounds prospect, likely in rounds 4 or 5.

Sanders Commings, Georgia

Commings is a big boy for a cornerback, and still possesses some athleticism. However, he lacks in straight line speed, and that will be the concern for him at the NFL level. He could still project as a safety, so the Buccaneers may consider him in the late rounds as a project player.

B.W. Webb, William and Mary

Webb was the star of the show against Virginia in a rare FCS over BCS upset in 2009. He remained a stable starter for the Tribe ever since, including returning punts. He set a school record for starts, and earned numerous recognitions at the FCS level. The question is if he’ll be able to compete at the NFL level, but he’s certainly shown he can dominate the FCS college level. Webb should be taken in the middle rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.

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Jan 24, 2013; Running back Kenjon Barner of Oregon during Senior Bowl practice at Fairhope Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Senior Bowl is the premier college post-season all-star game that signals the first of two peaks in the pre-draft offseason schedule. Besides the Draft Combine, the Senior Bowl is probably the most important and most attended event of pre-draft season, and for good reason. Most key NFL prospects who fall just below the “can’t miss” category make their way to Mobile, Alabama to compete in the game, and in turn, most of the first round selections NFL general managers make are players they evaluated at the Senior Bowl.

So who should the Buccaneers be watching in the 2013 Senior Bowl? Keep in mind that some top prospects will not be in attendance for one reason or another, but here is a list of five players that may find their way onto the Buccaneers big board heading into the draft:

Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

By now, most Buccaneers fans know about Dee Milliner and Johnthan Banks, as most mock drafts have Tampa Bay selecting one or the other with the 13th pick. However, neither will be at the Senior Bowl, leaving Trufant with an open door to present himself as a top corner in this draft. Trufant has NFL pedigree, as he’s the third Trufant brother who will play NFL football, and with that pedigree comes an NFL sized body. Desmond is also a very smart football player, and is able to read and diagnose offensive plays and players. However, he’s not the best tackler, and that’s certainly something the Buccaneers will covet in a cornerback.

What to watch for: Trufant will have to prove he’s able to mix it up with the best of the best, and he’ll have his first chance to do so against 3 good quarterbacks. Watch to see if Trufant is able to predict and undercut routes, or put himself into advantageous positions against receivers. Also keep an eye on his tackling, as the Buccaneers will want to see a willingness to tackle properly to trust him as a cornerback.

Draft Stock: Trufant is currently a borderline first round prospect. He might be available for the Buccaneers at the beginning of round 2.

Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

If you watched college football this season, you know Barner’s name. The playmaker from the Oregon Ducks had his name mentioned in the Heisman discussion for a few weeks, and proved to be a consistent member of the Quack Attack offense. He’s incredibly quick and shifty, and would be able to hit home run plays even at the NFL level. He’s also very capable of catching the football, and returning punts and kicks, meaning he can be used in a plethora of ways. Barner is not someone that opponents want to see in the open field. However, once the other team gets their hands on him, he’s fairly easy to take down. The element of strength is lacking from Barner’s game, and he lacks in tackle-breaking and pass-blocking ability.

What to watch for: Barner has struggled at times with ball security. Watch to see if Barner has any issues holding onto the football. Also, if Barner manages to break any tackles and show that he’s working on building his pass blocking abilities, he will shoot up draft boards.

Draft Stock: Barner is likely going to be available in the middle of the draft, anywhere from the 3rd to 6th round.

Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers

For the next couple of years, the NFL Draft will likely be an opportunity for Coach Schiano to scout and possibly select players he’s already familiar with. Greene and teammate Steve Beauharnais are both likely targets for the Buccaneers in the 2013 NFL Draft, and since I’ve already given a bit of information on Beauharnais, let’s take a look at Greene. The Rutgers linebacker is uber-athletic, and gets tackles in bunches. He’s the kind of player who can chase down the action of a play from anywhere on the field. However, he is a bit small for a linebacker, and would probably be a bit redundant with Lavonte David already in Tampa Bay. But if Greene falls down the draft board a bit, don’t be surprised if Schiano is able to put in a good word and bring Greene to Tampa Bay.

What to watch for: Greene will need to show that he can handle fighting through and around bigger, stronger players. He’s got the speed, but he needs to show he can use some strength to make it in the NFL as a linebacker.

Draft Stock: Greene is currently a second round prospect, but if his stock falls at all, the Buccaneers may stop his fall.

Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford

Thomas is a linebacker who has a bit more size and strength, and could fill the Buccaneers need for a strongside linebacker if Quincy Black fails to return to health. Thomas is almost 250 pounds, but still has some agility and uses good technique to hold his own against blockers. He’s disruptive, and makes solid tackles while going for the ball as well. However, he’s not an incredible athlete, and isn’t going to chase down many runners, or make amazing open field tackles. That won’t be a problem with the Buccaneers, as Lavonte David and Mason Foster should be able to cover those duties, allowing Thomas to control the strong side of the field and occasionally join in the pass rush.
What to watch for: See if Thomas’ lack of athleticism hurts him against the stiff competition at the Senior Bowl. Thomas also played in a 3-4, so if the Senior Bowl has him in a 4-3, it will be interesting to see how he reacts.

Draft Stock: Thomas will likely be available for the Buccaneers 3rd round selection, and would make for good value if he is on the board any later than that.

Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida

A local college player who has seen his stock slide might be another player the Buccaneers take a second glance at, and Nixon fits the bill. Nixon has the size to be an NFL player, but might not have all the skills. The Senior Bowl will be a chance to see if he’s able to stand up against some of the better defenders in college football.

What to watch for: Nixon has all the size he needs. Watch to see if he’s called for holding, or getting run around by quicker defenders. He’s got an opportunity to make a statement if he shows good footwork in the Senior Bowl

Draft Stock: Nixon is likely going to be available in the later rounds of the NFL Draft, and will likely only require a 5th or 6th round selection.

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Follow @ThePewterPlank for the latest Buccaneers news.