Senior Bowl 2017: Prospects to watch
By John McCarty
Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU
The Chiefs certainly will be looking for a running back in this draft, and Williams is an interesting name to keep an eye on. Good at many but not exceptional at anything, Williams shows good power, quickness and the ability to catch the football. With a draft that’s beyond deep allotment of running backs, a player like Williams could be had in the later part of the middle rounds.
Donnell Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
He’s really quick and fast and shows good hands as a receiver and is at the very least, displays a willingness to get in a pass rushers way as a blocker. However, Pumphrey is undersized at 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, he’s well below the preferred bell curve on size running backs. While there are doubts that would have to be erased on the football field about his ability to be an every down back, would be, at the very least, an interesting compliment to the power run style of Spencer Ware.
Carroll Phillips, OLB, Illinois
Phillips is a pure pass rusher at this point, which isn’t a bad thing as long as you know what you’re getting. Phillips, as a pure pass rushers, displays a nice burst off the line and a quickness and bend to get around the corner.
He’s undersized to be an every down linebacker at 237 pounds, and isn’t a complete linebacker, however, as far as a rush linebacker and special teams go, could be a nice developmental piece. Should be noted, the Chiefs have set up an official meeting with Phillips at the Senior Bowl. With the uncertainty surrounding the physical health of Dadi Nicholas and the ability to still play issues with Tamba Hali, and the depth at outside linebacker is an area of concern.