MKRob Sports

After a season-ending knee injury in the first game of the 2008 season, Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jeff Owens’ preseason first-round draft pick grade looked grim until his tremendous Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Alabama.

Owens not only proved that his knee was completely healed, but he quite possibly re-gained his first round draft status. The Sporting News shared their thoughts on what Owens did for his draft ranking after the Senior Bowl week in this press release:

“Owens did not have a dominant college season in his return from a season-ending knee injury in 2008. As a result, NFL people wondered if he would ever get back to the player he was before the injury. Owens erased many of those concerns by shining at Mobile.“He dominated at the point of attack with strength, hand use and the explosiveness to jolt blockers. But what grabbed the NFL’s attention was Owens’ ability to beat one-on-one blocks with very quick pass rush moves. Before the Senior Bowl, Owens was considered a likely third- or fourth-round pick. Now, he is viewed a definite second-rounder, with a good chance to move into the first round.”

Throughout the week, Owens interviewed with a number of NFL teams during the week. Teams such as Green Bay, Jacksonville, Minnesota and New Orleans were documented as showing interest. When asked about the interviews and how the Senior Bowl week was going Owens said, “The interviews have been going great.”, “There is a lot of talent here, a lot of great athletes, I’m just happy that I got an opportunity to be down here, play and showcase my abilities.”

As a true freshman, Owens played in all 13 games recording three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks including one vs. No. 3 LSU in their SEC Championship Game victory. He was named a second team Freshman All-American team by Sporting News and first team Freshman All-SEC by SEC Coaches and Sporting News and throughout his Bulldog career, he was among the team leaders in tackles for loss and quarterback hurries. As a senior, he was named to watch lists for the Lott Trophy, Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He finished his career with 102 tackles (66 solo), five sacks, 13 tackles for loss, two forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three pass break ups and 69 quarterback hurries.

My overall draft outlook for Owens is this:

After the top three defensive tackles, Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy and Alabama’s Terrence Cody, not much seperates Owens from the other defensive tackles in this year’s draft. A lot of teams value a true defensive tackle, as shown by the three playoff teams that interviewed Owens during Senior Bowl week. I believe Owens made himself alot of money this past week and will a couple more opportunities to show what he can do at the NFL Combine and at Georgia’s Pro Day. I am personally rooting for Jeff because he played at Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida, the same place I played my high school football, so its a Colonel thing!!!