Senior Bowl: An interior O-lineman and a running back who could be fits for Sean Payton

MOBILE, Ala. — Just how much restoration work is needed on the Broncos’ offensive line?

Will new head coach Sean Payton and his staff opt for a tweaking? Or a massive overhaul that could involve the multi-year development of multiple draftees? If it’s the latter, the Payton and Paton tandem likely needs to acquire some more draft choices than the five that they currently possess.

However, one player who could be on their radar is Minnesota interior offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz. He did well in the one-on-one work Wednesday, then punctuated his day with a downfield pancake block on a screen pass. Schmitz has the sort of intelligence, awareness and sturdiness required of centers with whom Payton’s offense can flourish.

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BUT THE STAR WAS A RUNNING BACK

I mentioned Tulane’s Tyjae Spears on Orange and Blue Today. Certainly, one can theorize that Payton, a part-time New Orleans resident, probably knows something about Spears. The rising young runner grew up across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, then starred for the Green Wave, capping his celebrated career with a 4-touchdown performance in Tulane’s Cotton Bowl upset of USC.

At 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds, he’s not built for a between-the-tackles pounding. Teams will want to get him the football in space to minimize wear and tear and capitalize on his speed. He has the largest hands of any running back here in Mobile — a robust 10 inches. (We normally only discuss hand size for quarterbacks, but it’s relevant for runners, too.)

Love watching @GreenWaveFB RB Tyjae Spears — he’s got good hands as a receiving target, is decisive getting through the hole, is a willing blocker and hits fifth gear in a hurry. You can imagine Spears flourishing in a Sean Payton offense … 🤔 pic.twitter.com/24N5hb5pxY

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 2, 2023

The question on Spears now is this: How far does he rise in the draft? Spears appears to be in the late-second-round-to-mid-third-round mix. He should be one of the first six running backs selected. Further, can the Broncos afford to take a running back that early — if they don’t trade a veteran to add a pick in the first or second rounds?

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ELSEWHERE …

The quarterback play was unimpressive. Of the three passers on the American team, Division II product Tyson Bagent of Shepherd (W.Va.) is the most intriguing. He has a live arm and is willing to test defenses vertically. He found success exploiting gaps in zone coverage, including one play where he located Mississippi wide receiver Jonathan Mingo down the right seam.

On another play, Bagent located Houston WR Nathaniel “Tank” Dell down the left sideline between two defenders for a 22-yard gain. The catch capped a solid day for Dell, who is one of the best receivers here at creating separation with deception. He had one 20-yard catch from TCU Max Duggan that he set up by catching Virginia Tech CB Chamarri Conner off-guard. He stepped as though he’d run a quick out, then zipped past Conner’s inside shoulder down the left seam.

.@UHCougarFB WR Tank Dell doesn’t run routes like his name; he’s a smooth, crafty player who is adept at selling one direction and then moving in another, as he does here with a cut that catches the defender off-balance, creating separation down the left seam. pic.twitter.com/ZmOD8PXu2C

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 2, 2023

However, Bagent struggled with accuracy, especially in a two-minute drill late in practice, when he looked toward the end zone near the sideline twice — but his errant throws didn’t give his receivers a chance.

Houston QB Clayton Tune had a habit of settling for checkdowns way too often during the team period. At one point, he had back-to back check downs. When he went 10 yards downfield on the subsequent play — to Miami (Fla) TE Will Mallory — the pass was dropped. That said, if the play was in game conditions, Auburn edge rusher Derick Hall would have had a sack; he worked past the inside shoulder of Oklahoma LT Wanya Morris.

That unfortunately sullied the day for Morris, who did well in one-on-one drills. On one repetition, he took Hall to the ground.

Cecil made note of Sacramento State’s Marte Mapu on Tuesday, and he followed that up with a terrific day in coverage, breaking up two passes — one a deflection that saw him soar for the breakup.

.@CecilLammey loves him some @SacHornetsFB Marte Mapu, and it’s not hard to see why — he’s flourished in pass defense, with multiple pass breakups in the team period Wednesday, including a play where he skied to get his hand on the ball: pic.twitter.com/i81SnmM1M3

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 2, 2023

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TOP-FIVE PLAYERS ON THE NATIONAL TEAM FOR WEDNESDAY:

1. RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane
2. C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
3. LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
4. IDL Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
5. WR Tank Dell, Houston

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