Draft season is in full swing folks, with the conclusion of the NCAA postseason we get to the college All-Star games. These games, put on by the NFL and other organizations showcase some of the most talented prospects around the country against similar caliber opposition in an effort to see who rises to the occasion. For the first time, college players will get firsthand coaching and mentorship from an NFL coaching staff and former players as they make the long journey to the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Today we're going to focus on the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, which is hosted by the NFL Players Association. The Collegiate Bowl is essentially an event that allows NFL players, both past and present a way to give back to the game that blessed them for so many years as the next generation of NFL players is on the cusp of their arrival to the league. Per NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith, approximately 60% of the players who appear on the Collegiate Bowl's rosters will wind up on NFL rosters next year. 

I took some time to study the game, and while there were many players who made some great plays, I came away with a few athletes who stuck out to me as I watched the game roll on. Joseph's Gems back at you with a couple "Jewels" from this All-Star game.

Holton Ahlers, QB - East Carolina

This was my first time watching Ahlers play all year, although I was aware of his exploits in the American. He was for all intents and purposes the third QB on the depth chart, so I was expecting a meager performance. But after the first time he hit the field, I didn't want Jeff Fisher to take him out. Ahlers looked like he was back home in Greenville, just lobbing bombs all over the field. Ahlers main calling card was deep-ball accuracy. If the receiver had a step, daresay, a blade of grass on the defense, Ahlers could drop that ball in the basket like the mythical stork dropping off babies into cribs. His balls can have some zing to them if necessary too. Ahlers also showed off his own athleticism when the analysts were mostly focused on other Quarterbacks known for their ability to get yards on the ground. Ahlers was named the MVP of the Collegiate Bowl

Would Ahlers be a fit for the Packers?

Brian Gutekunst seems to think so. The Packers have already met with Ahlers three times. Ahlers has great deep throw accuracy but don't mistake that for him having a cannon. He's got a couple bad habits and has an issue with trying to do too much on every play, which can sometimes get him into trouble. Ahlers projects as a backup QB and spot starter to get your team over the hump due to injury. The fact that the Packers are meeting with Ahlers comfirms my suspicions that the Packers will select a Quarterback on Day 3, regardless of whether it's Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love at the helm.

Value?

Unfortunately, Ahlers did not get a Combine invite; but he will of course be able to show off his talents at ECU's Pro Day. I think given his current interest from the Packers and other teams across the league he could see his name called in the 5th Round.

Jason Taylor II, S - Oklahoma State

Taylor was a 2-year starter at Free Safety for the Pokes, earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2021. For his Senior season, he led the Big 12 with 6 interceptions and was in the Top-10 for tackles (99) and pass break-ups(7). For the NFL, I like Taylor moving to Strong Safety where he can lean on his strengths of being an enforcer in the run game; but don't be fooled, Taylor has man coverage skills and has Dimeback versatility. Taylor played the entire game with heart and a nose for the football, which you'll see littered all over his game film. Taylor isn't a plus athlete but he'll win matchups by being at the right place at the right time, and making an offensive player earn his right to the yards in front of him. His key plays during the game included multiple pass break-ups and a chase-down strip tackle that erased a touchdown and got the offense back the ball. Taylor has been a hot commodity with the scouts, as he's earned a spot not only at the Collegiate Bowl but the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Combine.

Would Taylor be a fit for the Packers?

Taylor could be an asset in two-high safety looks on the Packers' defense. He does have single-high experience being a former Free Safety, but at the NFL level with more dynamic playmakers I'm not sure if I want him in that spot, but if he's under control, he will make the tackle on the backend. Taylor has also had over 500 snaps on special teams, which Brian Gutekunst is starting to take into consideration when he drafts players so he can be an immediate contributor there. Taylor is far from a finished piece however and would require some coaching to sharpen his game, as there are occasional lapses in his play; which could have stemmed from a defensive coordinator and scheme change in Stillwater. In three years I project Taylor as either a solid Strong Safety in the three-high looks that are starting to pop up around the league in addition to being a special teams stud.

Value?

Taylor has seen value ranging from the 5th to the 7th, but you don't go from not having a Combine invite to having a Combine invite unless you've shown some things. If Taylor does well at the Combine and/or Pro Day I can see him as a priority selection in the 4th Round on Day 3, but if he does about what scouts expect him to I still would peg him solidly in the 5th Round. 

Titus Swen, RB - Wyoming

I really wasn't planning to "scout" any RBs during this game, but Swen just jumped out to me, at the end of the game too. It's almost like American Team Coach Jeff Fisher intentionally saved him for crunch time. Swen almost single-handedly marched the team down into scoring range for the game-winning field goal. Swen ran through, over, and away from defenders, doing damage on the ground and in the air. The 4th Quarter was finally his time to shine, just as it was back in Wyoming; as the Junior back earned the starting gig in 2022, rushing for 1,039 yards and 8 touchdowns. Swen has a punishing running style, but his 5'11, 208lbs frame allows him a little "wiggle" to his game. Because of his running style, Swen has had a few injuries, but nothing too serious. Swen was also an asset on special teams, being a spot starter for the Cowboys on kick returns.

Would Swen be a fit for the Packers?

The Packers should continue to turn the roster as they look for a steady third Running Back on the depth chart, and Swen fits that bill. In some ways, Swen reminds me of a smaller Jamaal Williams, but angrier if you ask me. Swen's best value is on 1st and 2nd down, particularly after your starter has had a long gain or been in for a while. The scouting community doesn't like Swen's value on Third Down, but I disagree. Swen is more than just a willing blocker, he gets the job done, within reason of course. He didn't command a lot of targets out of the backfield at Wyoming but he showed he could catch in Pasadena. Remember folks, it's not always about what they did in college, but the projection. I don't have any bulging concerns about Swen on passing downs, at least nothing good coaching couldn't take care of. 

Value?

Swen did not receive an invite to the Combine, so he'll rely on his Pro Day to impress teams. This is a tough year for his position, so I see him getting his name called in the 6th Round.

Scott Matlock, DL - Boise State

The 6'4, 308lbs Matlock played everywhere on the defensive line for the Broncos, from Nose Tackle all the way out to 5-Technique. He earned All-Mountain West honors in both his Junior and Senior seasons with 11 career sacks and 111 career tackles. As a testament to his athleticism and versatility, Matlock also has 2 receptions in the red zone that went for scores which is a nod to his high school days as a Tight End. Matlock is a player you send in to do the "dirty work", take on the double teams and free up your edge rushers to get to the QB and/or negate the run. At the Collegiate Bowl, there wasn't a single lineman who could block Matlock, whether at practice, drills, or during the actual game; and he won his matchups in impressive fashion. Matlock can beat you with length, athleticism, power, or his remarkably deep tool bag of rush techniques, which he perfected being the Broncos' everything on the defensive line. Matlock took his success in Pasadena and landed an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas a week later.

Would Matlock be a fit for the Packers?

Matlock fits any scheme in the NFL honestly. With that length, I'd love him to rotate out at 4i and 5T, where he can create dilemmas for an opposing double team or get 1-on-1 matchups on the edge and collapse the pocket. His motor is hot and his worth ethic on and off the field is as blue-collar as the grass he played on back at Boise State. It's really just a question of whether the Packers are interested.

Value?

It kills me that Matlock didn't get a Combine invite, but don't let that fool you, he will be racking up his frequent flyer miles before Draft Day. My sources have somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-13 teams initially interested in his services next year. It would be disrespectful to say Matlock is just a priority UDFA, but I think his phone starts ringing somewhere around the 6th Round.

Camren McDonald, TE - Florida State

McDonald was the first player to "pop"  to me during the game, and I was actually paying attention to two other players at the time. McDonald was just consistently wide open, making chunk gains in the open field. The defense adjusted their zone to limit this, but he still was winning matchups, it was just a matter of if the QB could find him and throw him the ball. Although the American Team won anyway, there were about 2-3 plays where had they found McDonald wide open they probably could have won by two scores. McDonald was a reliable target for the Seminoles during his time in Tallahassee, although he didn't produce a huge state line (21-312-1). He has adequate size and strength at 6'4, 244lbs but it's on a somewhat slender frame up top with a thick lower half. This could probably be corrected by an NFL offseason to some extent. McDonald is a more than capable run blocker, and he's more than enthusiastic as the point of attack, he's aggressive. He'll have trouble with the more menacing edge rushers, but by adding a little bit of muscle he can probably seal the edge with the best of them.

Would McDonald be a fit for the Packers?

McDonald is an intriguing fit for the Packers' offense. He excels in zone coverage and will absolutely bully a defensive back in man-coverage but if he comes across a true coverage LB, he might not do so well. The Packers may need to use a little motion here and there to get him in space or against a plus matchup (which they need to do more of anyway). McDonald could present an additional "wrinkle" in the Packers' offense if they are willing to take him on as a "move" Tight End project who you want to get out in space and either force the Safeties to crash down and free up your options on the outside or force the defense into personnel packages that might leave them susceptible to busted run plays.

Value?

Somebody is going to fall in love with the tape on McDonald and see a projection that would add value to their offense. This is an abnormally good Tight End class so McDonald could get "overdrafted" because somebody missed out on who they really wanted or they want to snatch him up before someone else gets him. He's a lesser-heralded prospect from a Florida State team that grossly overperformed the experts' expectations in 2022; but he's got NFL skills that should blossom into a #2 TE for an NFL offense in a few years after adding bulk and mastering the playbook. I expect to hear his name called in the 6th Round.

Tashawn Manning, OG - Kentucky

Sometimes it's hard to scout offensive line prospects in All-Star games because the rotations have little to no chemistry and they experience so many subs. But in the case of Manning, I saw him in probably the most rotations throughout the game, which screams confidence from the coaching staff. I didn't see a lot of athleticism, but at Guard I'm not stressing too much about that. Manning excels in the interior, especially in heads-up battles. He had great hands and anchor, played til every whistle, and when he won his matchup he kept looking for more work, which sprung a couple of runs for the American Team. For his success at the Collegiate Bowl, plus football excellence at not one but two schools in the SEC at Auburn and Kentucky, Manning earned an invite to the NFL Combine.

Would Manning be a fit for the Packers?

Manning needs to do well at the Combine before I can answer that question. Because of his man-on-man tendencies, he may appeal more to teams with power scheme. Manning does have sloppy feet, which got him in trouble a couple of times during the Collegiate Bowl and would cause problems in the screen game and outside zone. If anyone can fix that, Adam Stenavich and Co. can. Manning is a Guard-only prospect, which could turn Brian Gutekunst off, but if we're talking Guard-only, the 6'4, 335lbs Manning has enough juice to make lanes for the Packers' running game.

Value?

Until I see Manning at the Combine, I'm going to pencil him in for the 6th Round. He probably can boost his stock to 5th Round with a strong shuttle time, which will get some outside/inside zone teams intrigued.

Will any of these players wind up on the Packers' roster in 2023? Tough to tell, there's still such a long way to go until the Draft and there are 31 other teams who are going to have a say as well. Regardless of where they end up, I believe the future looks bright for these young men, whether in Lambeau or elsewhere. But I'm hoping we might see at least one or two in the Green and Gold. Stay tuned as we move on to the East-West Shrine Bowl next.

#GPG