Senior Bowl: Auburn’s Derick Hall and Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly are intriguing options for the Eagles

MOBILE, Ala. — After an underwhelming offensive showing early in Senior Bowl practices, the offense responded in a big way during Wednesday practices for both the American and National squads.

Running backs Tyjae Spears (Tulane) and Kenny McIntosh (Georgia) both broke off long runs for the American team, while wide receiver Michael Wilson (Stanford) made big plays in the passing game, but defensive players still had their moments.

Iowa State pass rusher Will McDonald IV continued his impressive start by beating Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright twice, but it was Auburn’s Derick Hall who stole the show during the American practice. He’s a player the Eagles could target late in the first round.

Hall, who measured in with 34⅜-inch arms while standing 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds, flashed his power in the run game, utilizing a strong, long arm to ward off offensive tackles. On two separate occasions in the nine-on-seven run game session, he blew up the run plays by driving the tackle deep into the backfield, maintaining excellent leverage.

Meanwhile, he turned it up a notch during the team periods, showing how savvy he is as a pass rusher. Since his go-to move is a speed-to-power conversion combined with a long arm, he set them up only to win on an inside track to the quarterback and would have likely had two sacks if he was allowed to tackle the quarterback. It wasn’t a perfect day, but Hall showcased that he isn’t a one-trick pony as a pass rusher.

From the moment individual one-on-ones for wide receivers and defensive backs started until the final play of the team period during the National team practice, Stanford defensive back Kyu Blu Kelly locked down his side of the field. The fluidity of his movements was apparent, but Kelly showcased his instincts and ability to jump routes, specifically in zone coverage.

The Cardinal alum got his hands on four passes during the seven-on-seven and team periods, including an interception taken back for a touchdown. His transitions in man coverage were eye-popping, and his low stance in press man coverage allows him to fluidly change directions. Kelly certainly has impressed through two days and the strong practice he put forth Wednesday only solidifies that.

A late addition right before the Senior Bowl came by way of the NFLPA Bowl: Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu, who arguably had the best practice of anyone. The converted safety was a heat-seeking missile in the run game, particular in the nine-on-seven practice for the American team. One play in particular that showcased his instincts and speed was when he blew up McIntosh in the backfield for a big loss. Mapu proceeded to blow up another play in the backfield soon after.

Then, in the team period, Mapu flashed again, getting a pass deflection from his linebacker spot on a pass thrown over the middle of the field. The momentum continues to build for Mapu, who said after practice that he wants to build continuity between his highs and lows in the box.

“Not every rep was clean, some of them were flashy, some of them were something I got to go improve on the next day ... just improving consistency is the biggest thing right now,” Mapu said.

For the National team, California safety Daniel Scott is as versatile as they come in the secondary. After spending six seasons with the Golden Bears in his college career, Scott aligned anywhere from a single high safety to a nickel or slot corner. The skill sets he possesses as a hybrid player were on display during Day 2 of practice, when showed his natural instincts to undercut routes while having enough burst and speed to transition out of his backpedal to turn and run on longer routes.

His interception during the one-on-one period was impressive, staying in the hip pocket of Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins, jumping the route and coming away with the ball. His ability to fill the alley in the running game flashed as well, but his calling card at the NFL level will be coverage. Teams have told Scott that he could be anywhere from a free roamer in coverage to an in-the-box guy, proof of how valuable his versatility in college was.

“Last year I was playing [in] the boundary, rotating a little bit down in the box but also playing free [safety], so I’m really just trying to show scouts that I can play everything and be versatile,” Scott said after practice.

“Show the guys I can play a little bit of nickel to the field.”

» READ MORE: Senior Bowl practice standouts: DL Keion White, DB Tyrique Stevenson could be options for Eagles in draft