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About the Author: Joshua Queipo

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Josh Queipo joined the Pewter Report team in 2022, specializing in salary cap analysis and film study. In addition to his official role with the website and podcast, he has an unofficial role as the Pewter Report team’s beaming light of positivity and jokes. A staunch proponent of the forward pass, he is a father to two amazing children and loves sushi, brisket, steak and bacon, though the order changes depending on the day. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 2008 with a degree in finance.
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They say the draft starts in Mobile, and while the East-West Shrine Bowl technically occurs first, we can definitively say Pewter Report’s draft coverage starts in earnest at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Day one of the Senior Bowl practices commenced on Tuesday and as is the case every year, it didn’t take long for the cream to rise to the top. Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds and I had our eyes primarily on the defensive line and linebacker drills, but that didn’t stop us from clocking a cornerback who really impressed us as well.

Here are eight players who had us buzzing by the end of practice.

Marshall EDGE Mike Green

Marshall Edge Mike Green

Marshall EDGE Mike Green Photo by: USA Today

Mike Green was Pewter Report’s first-round pick in our first Mock Draft of this year and for good reason. His deep bag of tricks paired with his tenacious, all-out motor make him an ideal option as a high-ceiling potential true No. 1 edge rusher. Some of the questions I had coming in were surrounding how he could hold up on early downs setting the edge in run defense.

He checked those boxes while showing off his plethora of pass rush moves and continued to show the rare athleticism that has him garnering first-round talk throughout the draft community in attendance this week.

Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku

In prepping for the Senior Bowl, both Scott Reynolds and I became enamored with Donovan Ezeiruaku. Another pass rusher with a deep arsenal of ways that he can win, including spins, rips, shops, speed/bend. But could he win with power? Was there any strength to Ezeiruaku’s game? Would his athleticism play up to the next level? These were some of the questions we pondered.

While he isn’t a complete player, and designated pass rusher may be his best role, that is certainly a skillset the Bucs could stand to use. Ezeiruaku had a few solid reps including this club that didn’t need a rip to finish because he executed it flawlessly. He gave off some Shaq Barrett (in his prime) vibes.

UCLA EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo

Ucla Edge Rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo Bucs Senior Bowl

UCLA edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo – Photo by: USA Today

Perhaps no edge defender’s stock has risen more on day one of the Senior Bowl than Oluwafemi Oladejo’s. A late convert to the position, he played middle linebacker for his first three seasons in college between Cal and UCLA. Despite the lack of experience, he shined in OL/DL pass rush drills as well as in the team period, showing his strength and speed as he drove through tackles with authority.

Oladejo presents a different type of rusher from Mike Green and Donovan Ezeiruaku and something of a redundancy for the Bucs as he wins in similar ways to current outside linebacker Yaya Diaby. But his size, 6-foot-2, 261 pounds, and strength profile mean he can hold up as a three-down player.

And even with a limited number of career reps at the position, he was still showing off multiple pass rush moves and an advanced pass rush plan. Plus Oladejo brought a ton of energy to the National Team during the morning practice.

Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa

Oregon Ilb Jeffrey Bassa Bucs

Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs lack athletes and coverage instincts at the linebacker position. So, look no further than day one Senior Bowl standout Jeffrey Bassa to remedy that situation.

The former safety showed off speed, fluidity, spatial awareness and an advanced feel for route development. When I asked him after practice about an especially impressive pass breakup during team drills, he quickly jumped into the play call, his responsibilities, what he was looking for and how he was able to successfully defend it.

His detailed answer had me thinking that he would impress the Bucs brass and especially head coach Todd Bowles. There are still flaws to his game, as he could easily get washed in the run game due, in part, to his 226-lb frame. But there is plenty of opportunity to put on some weight to get into the 230-235 pound range and Bassa said he has no problem bulking up if a team needed him to.

Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser

Coming off of a National Championship Game appearance, Jack Kiser has plenty of name recognition. During day one of the Senior Bowl practices, he put some impressive reps together. His play recognition and natural instincts for the linebacker position were on full display. Especially against running backs in one-on-ones passing drills, where he was the stickiest linebacker in coverage. Kiser played with anticipation and brought the fight to the offense.

Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott

Omarr Norman-Lott was the quintessential “f things up” player today. He played with the frenzied energy of a Tasmanian devil and paired that tenacity with some impressive technical skill. Norman-Lott’s power and motor had opposing offensive linemen fighting for their lives to stay attached.

But it was his jump off the snap and ability to time snap counts that had him living in the backfield. At 6-foot-1, 295 pounds, his size and skillset make him an interesting option as an understudy for Calijah Kancey as a rotational 3-technique. He had the best technique of any defensive tackle on Tuesday, but left the practice at the end with an apparent injury.

Iowa DT Yahya Black

Pronounced why-ay, Yahya Black had several impressive reps on the day and was one of the energy builders for the National Team. He was constantly hyping up the defensive line with both his play as well as his voice showing leadership skills throughout the day. Black’s push-pull was his most effective win in pass rush drills. He was also a mountain for offensive linemen to move in the run game. Black topped it off by showing his competitive spirit when he got into some extracurriculars with West Virginia offensive lineman Wyatt Milum.

Ole Miss CB Trey Amos

We didn’t get to see Trey Amos in one-on-ones,  but in team drills, he erased any receiver he matched up against. With his size, 6-foot, 195 pounds, and speed, Amos is a prototypical Todd Bowles corner. He impressed in Cover 3 reps and used the sideline to restrict space. Amos was consistently on receivers’ hip pockets. He’s someone I hope to get eyes on more throughout the week, starting Wednesday.

Senior Bowl Coverage On The Pewter Report Podcast

Senior Bowl practices continue through Thursday and the game is Saturday, February 1 at 2:30 EST.

Pewter Report PodcastPewter Report Podcast: Bucs Target Edge Rushers - Senior Bowl Day 1
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