The Senior Bowl is a huge opportunity for top prospects and sleepers alike to prove themselves to NFL decision-makers against quality competition.
This year’s week of practice in Mobile was no exception, as small-school players made the most of their trip, and bigger names lived up to their high expectations.
Here are my picks for the best players we saw at every position throughout this week’s practices:
QUARTERBACK
Justin Herbert | Oregon
The Rose Bowl MVP came into the week with high expectations, and he lived up to the hype with a strong week of practice. He was clearly the most consistent performer every day, and showed all the tools that should make him a franchise quarterback in the NFL. He locked himself into the top-10 conversation.
Runner-Up
Jordan Love | Utah State
RUNNING BACK
Joshua Kelley | UCLA
This year’s running back group was less than inspiring on both squads, but Kelley looked the most impressive. He showed off a well-rounded skill set, and displayed the patience and vision NFL teams want to see from their backs. Kelley boosted his draft stock as much as any runner we saw in Mobile this week.
Runner-Up
JaMycal Hasty | Baylor
WIDE RECEIVER
K.J. Hill | Ohio State
This should come as no surprise considering the pass-catchers that have come out in Columbus in recent years. Hill’s polished route-running skills allowed him to create consistent separation all week long, and he punctuated his strong week with a one-handed stab. What he may lack in ideal size, Hill more than makes up for in every other area of his game.
Runner-Up
Denzel Mims | Baylor
TIGHT END
Stephen Sullivan | LSU
While the rest of his pass-catching teammates stole the headlines for the national champs during the season, it was Sullivan making a name for himself in Mobile. He created matchup problems all week long, and his combination of size, length and athleticism should be intriguing to NFL decision-makers. Sullivan made himself as much money this week as anyone.
Runner-Up
Harrison Bryant | FAU
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Josh Jones | Houston
Jones came into the week as one of the more intriguing prospects at any position, and he’s leaving as a potential first-round prospect. His length and athleticism were on display all week long, and considering how stellar the edge defenders were in Mobile, Jones’ performance was that much more impressive. Don’t be surprised if Jones sneaks into the first-round conversation.
Runner-Up
Charlie Heck | North Carolina
GUARD
Ben Bartch | St. John’s
Every year, the Senior Bowl illuminates small-school talent by giving them a chance to face top competition. No player made the most of that opportunity than Bartch, a left tackle who lined up at guard in Mobile. He was one of the few blockers to hold his own against South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw, and he proved he has all the physical and mental tools to be NFL starting material.
Runner-Up
Jonah Jackson | Ohio State
CENTER
Lloyd Cushenberry III | LSU
It was a banner week for the Bayou Bengals, and Cushenberry held up his end by dominating a strong group of interior defenders. He proved he has the size, quickness, athleticism and strength to hold his own against every style of opponent. Cushenberry firmly planted himself in the Day 2 conversation with his stellar showing in Mobile.
Runner-Up
Matt Hennessy | Temple
EDGE DEFENDER
Jason Strowbridge | North Carolina
This was the most impressive position group of the week, and there are a handful of prospects who could easily find their names listed here. My pick goes to Strowbridge, though, who was a dominant force all week long. He lined up inside and outside, winning his reps with a combination of physical traits and technique, and even batted down multiple passes at the line. He was one of the most pleasant surprises of the entire event.
Runner-Up
Josh Uche | Michigan
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Javon Kinlaw | South Carolina
Coming into the week, Kinlaw was widely regarded as the top overall prospect in attendance, and he lived up to the billing. Kinlaw was unblockable the first day, and played through tendinitis in his right knee on Day 2 before bowing out for the rest of the week. Still, he had done everything necessary to prove he was worthy of the high expectations. Kinlaw should be a top-15 lock after this week.
Runner-Up
Larrell Murchison | North Carolina State
LINEBACKER
Akeem Davis-Gaither | Appalachian State
Similar to the running backs, it was a fairly uneventful week for the linebacker group. Davis-Gaither took full advantage of the lack of buzz from his counterparts, though, clearly separating himself from the rest of the pack with a solid week of practice. His athleticism, range and instincts make him one of the best sleeper picks in this year’s fairly thin linebacker class.
Runner-Up
Francis Bernard | Utah
CORNERBACK
Troy Pride, Jr. | Notre Dame
The clear-cut top cover man in Mobile, Pride displayed a complete skill set that allowed him to win in many different ways, against receivers of all shapes and sizes. This year’s corner class is fairly top-heavy, but without a strong second and third tier. Pride could easily rise to the top of that next tier in this year’s group, putting himself in the Day 2 conversation with his play this week.
Runner-Up
Darnay Holmes | UCLA
SAFETY
Kyle Dugger | Lenoir-Rhyne
The most highly anticipated small-school prospect at this year’s event, Dugger lived up to the expectations with a strong week of practice. His versatility and athleticism were impossible to ignore, and his intelligence and instincts allowed him to make big plays all week long (including an impressive interception of Herbert). Dugger should be locked in as a Day 2 pick after a strong showing in Mobile.
Runner-Up
Jeremy Chinn | Southern Illinois
