The 2011 Senior Bowl, the premiere all-star showcase for NFL hopefuls leading up to the NFL Scouting Combine and the 2011 NFL Draft, is this afternoon (3 p.m. ET, NFL Network).
Here are five players for fans of the New York Giants and New York Jets to focus on this afternoon.
Giants (19th selection) in the draft
- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin: One of several highly-regarded offensive tackle prospects in the game. Carimi, 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, has had an excellent week and could be on the Giants radar as an offensive line upgrade. Prospect Profile
- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College: Another player connected to the Giants, who should be looking to inject some youth into their offensive line. Castonzo has also received a lot of praise this week, and as a potential left tackle is a player worth watching. Prospect Profile
- Mason Foster, OLB, Washington: Foster’s stock has been rising quickly throughout the offseason, and his work this week at the Senior Bowl has impressed observers. Right now he is looked at as a second-round type pick. Prospect Profile
- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado: Another of the intriguing offensive tackle prospects in the Senior Bowl. Solder is a 6-foot-9, 315-pounder with the reputation of being able to handle speed rushers off the edge. Prospect Profile
- Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College: ACC Defensive Player of the Year a couple of seasons ago, lost the 2009 season to a battle with bone cancer. Herzlich is on the comeback trail, and how early a team is willing to gamble on him will be fascinating to wathch. Prospect Profile
Jets (selecting 30th)
- Cameron Jordan, DE, California — The Jets would love a big-time defensive end to add to an aging group on their defense. Jordan would be a great choice, but he is rising rapidly up draft boards and might be out of the Jets reach. Prospect Profile
- Von MIller, OLB, Texas A&M — An outside linebacker who 3-4 defensive teams like the Jets have been drooling over at the Senior Bowl. Miller is often the guy chosen for the Jets in Round 1 of mock drafts. Prospect Profile
- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue — Another player who fits the mold of a 3-4 playmaker on the outside who might look nice in Rex Ryan’s defense.
- Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina — The Jets might be in the market for a replacement for Antonio Cromartie.
- Kelvin Sheppard, LB, LSU — Another of those outside linebacker prospects the Jets might look at as they try to get younger and more athletic on the edges of their defense.