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2012 Senior Bowl: What Players Will You Be Watching?

The annual Senior Bowl begins later today at 3 P.M., featuring some of the best college football players in the country. Scouts have been in Mobile, Alabama all week taking a look at some of the players, many of whom will be drafted come April.

After the jump, we'll take a look at some of the players that not only we should be looking out for as fans, but also at players that the Arizona Cardinals will be looking at as possible draftees.

Star-divide

In case you haven't seen which athletes will be participating in the event, here is the 2012 Senior Bowl South roster and here is the North roster. All of these players will be looking to show their skills in order to find their way onto an NFL roster next season. Here are a few players that the Cardinals may be keeping their eyes on.

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

We have already looked at Adams a little bit and many have scouts have praised his skills as a left tackle in the drills and workouts leading up to the big game. Adams would be a guy that the Cardinals could probably grab with the 13th overall pick. He would presumably replace Levi Brown at left tackle from day one, providing a much needed piece to protect Kevin Kolb and John Skelton's blind sides.

Courtney Upshaw, DL, Alabama

Upshaw has been talked about a lot around ROTB, especially since his Crimson Tide won the BCS National Championship just a short while ago. He has great size and although he was a defensive end in college, the Cardinals could convert him to become an outside linebacker, much like they did with Sam Acho. Rushing the passer is one of the things that the Cardinals still need to improve on and if Upshaw is still on the board when the Cardinals are on the clock, this is a direction that they'll certainly look.

Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M

Fuller is a player that hasn't been talked about much, but I think he would be a perfect fit in a Cardinals uniform. At 6'4", he would be a great, physical receiver to line up across from the Pro Bowler, Larry Fitzgerald. I believe that Fuller could really provide some of the edge to this Cardinals team that has been missing since the departure of Anquan Boldin. He broke plenty of records as an Aggie, including becoming the first player ever to log 3,000 receiving yards in his collegiate career. He has been somewhat underwhelming in the days leading up to this game, according to reports, but the Cards could still ideally get him in the 3rd or 4th round.

Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas

Where have we heard this name before? Emmanuel's brother, Sam Acho, was one of the great young rookies to play for the Cardinals last season. Emmanuel could be the 2nd Acho that the Cards could add to the mix. He primarily played as a middle linebacker as a Longhorn, but with his size and skill, he could be converted to play the outside. He's not a gigantic player, nor is he an incredibly fast one, but in the later rounds, Emmanuel might be a good target for Arizona.

Drew Butler, P, Georgia

Yes, I know what you are thinking, why would the Cardinals ever draft a punter? Well, it's quite simple, really. Ben Graham was cut because he couldn't get enough hangtime on his kicks. Dave Zastudil will become an unrestricted free agent and his punts were not all that great, either. Butler could be a game changer at the position, being able to punt not only for big time yards to change the field position, but also to get the ball down inside the 20-yard line. He also has experience as a holder, which will really help whoever the placekicker is for the Cardinals in 2012. Although, a punter isn't really necessary if the Cardinals can just manage to avoid 4th down altogether.

What do you think? What players will you be keeping an eye out for this afternoon? Sound off in the comments section below.

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Adams and Upshaw

are two to watch to see if they play to their practice levels. Both could help the cards improve and if they play well, we should be very interested.

by Birdman2 on Jan 28, 2012 9:40 AM MST reply actions  

As much as I hate to say it,

I don’t think drafting a punter would be a bad idea. I think punters/kickers are underrated as position. No, they aren’t super important, but look at what Andy Lee did for the 49ers, he basically made up for their terrible offense. 49ers get the ball at the 20, go 5 yards, Andy Lee punts it 60 yards to the other teams 15, the def. holds, other team punts 40 yards to the 45 or 50 and you’re one decent pass away from field goal range for a good kicker (akers). That how the 49ers won so many games. They bled the other teams to death with field goals and got lucky every once in a while with a TD. Throw in a decent return man and you’re in field goal range almost every drive.

by AlaskanCard on Jan 28, 2012 10:04 AM MST reply actions  

Criner out of UA

his first name is Juron or something but he has killed it so far, but probably wont last till the 3rd round

by Redbird Nation #1 on Jan 28, 2012 10:49 AM MST reply actions  

Juron Criner Definately.

Im not a big U of A fan but this guy is a beast. Nick Foles is a projected second round pick or late first round so if we could trade into the 2nd round that’d be good. Although I doubt we will it’s something to consider.

by Alex Mann on Jan 28, 2012 11:22 AM MST up reply actions  

I don't know

How I would deal with having a Wildcat on the roster…

by Tyler Nickel on Jan 28, 2012 11:23 AM MST up reply actions  

Hah ASU fan huh?

Isn’t their QB entering the draft?

by Alex Mann on Jan 28, 2012 11:24 AM MST up reply actions  

Foles hasn't looked good in practices

And Criner from what I read is not expected to be anything more than a slot guy because he doesn’t have the speed to get separation. Good hands, though.

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by Jess Root on Jan 28, 2012 11:41 AM MST up reply actions  

My u of a friends say he has a better vertical than fitzgerald has.

Larry’s pro day vertical was 35 inches, Criners is around 38 inches. I’m sure Larrys has made a huge jump from 35 but Jurons could too. It’ll be interesting to see how he does in the NFL.

by Alex Mann on Jan 28, 2012 11:47 AM MST up reply actions  

Osweiler is indeed entering the draft

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 28, 2012 2:19 PM MST up reply actions  

Looking quickly at senior bowl web site sorry Adams does not seem to be doing the job for our first pick, we will see. hope for Acho later rounds, of course Ingram if last, will look at MC Cants and Upshaw.
Sorry no kicker and lets get a wide receiver in free agency

by naironpalm3 on Jan 28, 2012 12:11 PM MST reply actions  

I'm going to be watching all of them and taking some notes on what I like and don't for our future draft talks. The number 1 guy I'm watching is Adams as I want to see how he handles all these big boys.

Adams coming from the Big 10 has already faced some good D-line players: Watt, Kerrigan, Clayborn,Graham, Scho, and other big time prospects. In those match ups he handled himself well so I am looking forward to more of the same. I’m definitely more excited for the Senior Bowl than the Pro Bowl. I will be watching both though as I’m a sucker for the game.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Jan 28, 2012 1:32 PM MST reply actions  

Boo!

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Jan 29, 2012 12:00 AM MST up reply actions  

hey i been going to the senior bowl web site for updates
last check Adams was not doing so well against this level of talent, so not a number 13 pick
Acho was reported to have had some impressive moments.

by naironpalm3 on Jan 30, 2012 7:34 AM MST reply actions  

well is one result after the game looks like Adams got very good grade. So did the linebackers of possible interest. For me if any of stud line backers on board go with them, lets try O lineman later rounds or free agency

by naironpalm3 on Jan 30, 2012 9:19 AM MST reply actions  

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