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Jake Bobo and Jalen Moreno-Cropper Display Speed and Separation

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LAS VEGAS — On Day 2 of the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl practices, a pair of wide receivers and linebackers showed out above the rest. Who are today’s risers and sliders, and what kind of impact will it have on their NFL draft stocks?

2023 Shrine Bowl West Team | Risers

Jake Bobo, WR, UCLA

While Jake Bobo has the luxury of playing with his college quarterback during Shrine Bowl practices, he’s established himself as one of the better and bigger receivers in attendance. He uses his hands very well to separate from defenders, consistently finds ways to come free, and always catches the ball away from his frame.

Bobo displayed strong hands and snatches the ball out of the air. While he’s not a true vertical threat, Bobo displays solid speed and quickness for a bigger wideout.

Tyrus Wheat, EDGE, Mississippi State

Tyrus Wheat has done a little of everything here during Shrine Bowl practice and looked exceptionally effective on Sunday standing over tackle. He’s a big guy weighing just under 270 pounds, yet super athletic and easily moves about the field with speed and quickness.

MORE: Sunday 2023 Shrine Bowl West Team Practice Report

What stood out today is the way Wheat sheds the blocks of offensive linemen and then arrived to the action with a great closing burst. His ability to make plays in every direction was impressive.

Isaiah Moore, LB, North Carolina State

Isaiah Moore was both physically and intellectually impressive on Sunday. He’s a nice-sized linebacker who played assignment football in the scheme implemented by the Patriots coaching staff, displaying patience and discipline.

Moore correctly read plays, then effectively used his hands to ward off blocks and quickly got to the ball carrier. He made several impressive tackles during scrimmage and held his own in coverage drills.

Starling Thomas V, CB, UAB

Starling Thomas V may be short in stature, as he measured in under 5’10”, but he plays big football. Thomas showed terrific ball skills and did not back down from any challenge.

He’s very quick, stayed with receivers all over the field, and had several nice pass breakups. Thomas did get outmatched on occasion but displayed enough ability today to get late-round consideration as a dime back.

2023 Shrine Bowl East Team | Risers

Jalen Moreno-Cropper, WR, Fresno State

Jalen Moreno-Cropper displayed himself as both a lethal underneath receiver and legitimate downfield threat today. He beat opponents off the line with quickness and was tough to cover on crossing patterns or intermediate outs with his scissor-sharp routes.

On a number of occasions, Cropper got behind defenders and made a few outstanding deep receptions. He has a bit of a slender build at 5’11” and 171 pounds. Cropper’s hands are also a tick over 8.5 inches, which will raise red flags. Yet, the ability to separate and his consistent pass-catching skills make Cropper perfect as a slot receiver for the next level.

Anfernee Orji, LB, Vanderbilt

Anfernee Orji has been one of the most consistent and productive linebackers these past two days. Once again, he was very active during Sunday’s practice and was constantly around the ball.

Orji flowed well laterally to the action, quickly diagnosed plays, and was very efficient. He made plays against the run as well as the pass and displayed a lot of athleticism on the field.

AJ Finley, S, Mississippi

AJ Finley looks the part and really played to it on Sunday. He does a great job staying with his assignments and keeping the action in front of him while showing a ton of toughness.

MORE: Top SEC NFL Draft Prospects at the 2023 Shrine Bowl

During scrimmages, Finley made a pair of terrific interceptions, displaying both the ability to track the pass in the air and excellent hands. Finley has next-level size, measuring 6’2″ and 202 pounds, and was always a good run defender in college. The ball skills he’s displayed during Shrine Bowl practice will only help his draft stock.

Slider

Nehemiah Shelton, CB, San Jose State

Nehemiah Shelton has had a rough go of it the past two days. He’s shown no ability to stick with opponents and has given up a lot of receptions. He’s late breaking on the pass and consistently gives up inside leverage, which has resulted in opponents easily coming away with the catch.



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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