These players showed draft potential in Shrine Bowl practices

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It is a beautiful week on the west coast of Florida, with the sun shining and temperatures lingering in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

What better time to go inside than now, right?

Under the cable-supported domed canvas roof of Tropicana Field, the East-West Shrine Bowl teams went through their practice this week.

Here are a few standouts:

• Florida State wide receiver Keith Gavin had the standout moment for the East team offense Monday, working past double coverage down the right sideline for an over-the-shoulder reception. This was one of a slew of catches that saw him display his speed and physical dominance. He was also the East team’s most consistent wide receiver in red-zone work.

• But the most impressive aspect of Gavin’s big play Monday was the work of Princeton quarterback Kevin Davidson, who looked smooth going through his progressions throughout the day and led Gavin perfectly, allowing him to make the catch in stride and out in front of the defenders. Some Broncos scouts were seen after Monday’s practice chatting with Davidson. This is standard operating procedure at all-star games; when players often answer, “I’ve talked with every team,” they mean it. But the Broncos’ rookie quarterback market this year will likely be in the late rounds and the priority free-agent market. Davidson, a Princeton product, is an intelligent quarterback with a smooth delivery. He did not start until his senior year, which will likely limit draft clamor around him, but he could be worth a look.

•  Temple wide receiver Isaiah Wright is another receiver who was strong in the red-zone periods. He also had one of the best single moments of practice this week with stop-and-go that froze the defender, eliciting a chorus of “oohs” and setting up an easy completion

• No receiver has been more adept at generating separation with his breaks than Oregon’s Juwan Johnson, who does an excellent job selling the cornerback to go one direction, then quickly in another, usually going out toward the sideline.

• Nebraska defensive tackle Khalil Davis was the most dominant defensive lineman, winning matchups inside and outside throughout the first two days of practice — at times embarrassingly so for the opposing O-lineman.

At one moment Monday, Davis found himself aligned against a tight end. The result was almost comical; Davis easily bounced off him an into the backfield. He drew more double-teams Tuesday, but still generated consistent pressure.

• Louisiana-Lafayette guard Kevin Dotson demonstrated consistent power, particularly in run blocking. He produced multiple double-digit runs in 9-on-7 periods by driving his man five yards downfield.

Dotson’s work was not without its flaws; he committed a false-start penalty during the team period of practice Monday as he adjusted to the timing. But the power and quick twitch off the snap he demonstrated was promising.

• UAB defensive tackle Garrett Marino was able to win some one-on-one duels in the first two days of practice with power and quickness. During one repetition Tuesday morning, he knocked Boston College’s John Phillips back with a bull rush and then quickly pivoted past his inside shoulder, getting to the spot in under two seconds.