Every year, the crazy-train of NFL draft preparation makes its first big stop on Mobile, Alabama.
The Senior Bowl is the premier all-star showcase for some of the top prospects in college football, as big-name players and small-school sleepers alike get their chance to prove themselves against one another, all in front of the league’s most important decision-makers.
We’ve already told you why you should be there for Senior Bowl week, but here’s everything eles you need to know heading into this week’s action in Mobile:
ROSTERS
QUARTERBACK
Top Prospects
Justin Herbert | Oregon
Jordan Love | Utah State
Jalen Hurts | Oklahoma
This year’s group of quarterbacks in Mobile features some of the biggest names in college football, and as usual, they’ll be the talk of the week. Herbert is coming off an MVP performance in the Rose Bowl, and should solidify himself as a top-10 pick with a strong week. Love is a raw but talented passer who could send his stock soaring with a solid performance. Hurts is the most decorated of the bunch, but somehow still has the most to prove.
Sleeper to Watch
Anthony Gordon | Washington State
Detractors will dismiss Gordon’s gaudy production as nothing more than Mike Leach’s pass-happy system at work, but Gordon has the tools to develop into an NFL starter. After the success Gardner Minshew had as a rookie, teams should be less afraid of taking a chance on Gordon.
RUNNING BACK
Top Prospects
Eno Benjamin | Arizona State
Lamical Perine | Florida
Ke’Shawn Vaughn | Vanderbilt
Not a ton of star power in this group, but still some intriguing prospects who will be productive players at the next level. Benjamin is a three-down back who averaged 1,600 total yards in each of the past two seasons, while Perine made the most of limited opportunities (only 15+ carries once in 2019). Vaughn was overshadowed by bigger names in the SEC, but he’s as talented as any runner in this group.
Sleeper to Watch
Antonio Gibson | Memphis
The departure of Darrell Henderson left a huge void in the Tigers’ offense, and while Kenny Gainwell provided the bulk of his replacement on the ground, Gibson’s versatility was a huge weapon. A big-play machine, Gibson averaged 11.2 yards per carry and nearly 20 yards per reception in 2019.
WIDE RECEIVER
Top Prospects
Brandon Aiyuk | Arizona State
Michael Pittman, Jr. | USC
Bryan Edwards | South Carolina
This year’s draft class is extremely deep at receiver, and that depth is reflected in the amount of well-rounded prospects who will be in Mobile. Aiyuk, Pittman and Edwards are all physical pass-catchers with solid frames who are open even when they’re covered. All three have the well-rounded skill set and polish to be immediate starters at the next level.
Sleeper to Watch
Antonio Gandy-Golden | Liberty
No matter where you play in college, receivers with Gandy-Golden’s combination of size, length and athleticism will find their way to the top. Even with a ton of bigger names from powerhouse programs at his position, Gandy-Golden has the skills to go toe-to-toe with any receiver (or corner, for that matter) in this group.
TIGHT END
Top Prospects
Brycen Hopkins | Purdue
Jared Pinkney | Vanderbilt
There’s some debate as to this year’s top tight end prospect, but Hopkins can make as strong of an argument as any. His size and athleticism gives him the ability to create matchup problems at every level of the field. Pinkney is another big, athletic target who should shine in 1-on-1 drills in Mobile.
Sleeper to Watch
Adam Trautman | Dayton
Don’t be shocked if Trautman steals the show in Mobile this week. He checks every box NFL teams are looking for in today’s tight end prospects, and the fact that he played in a lower division won’t concern them as much if he’s able to have the same success against big-school prospects at the Senior Bowl.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Top Prospects
Prince Tega Wanagho | Auburn
Josh Jones | Houston
Trey Adams | Washington
It’s a great year to need an offensive tackle, and while the top few prospects in this year’s class are all underclassmen, there are still some fantastic senior options in the group. Tega Wanagho has been tested against top talent in the SEC, while Jones is raw but loaded with physical tools and upside. Injuries have been a problem for Adams throughout his career, but at full-strength, he’d be a first-rounder.
Sleeper to Watch
Alex Taylor | South Carolina State
A transfer from Appalachian State, Taylor stands a massive 6-foot-9, with the length you’d expect from a frame that big. He’s still got some room to fill that frame out with some quality bulk, and this week in Mobile will give him a fantastic opportunity to prove himself against top competition from bigger schools.
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
Top Prospects
Nick Harris | Washington
John Simpson | Clemson
Ben Bredeson | Michigan
There may not be a Quenton Nelson in this year’s class of interior blockers (most years, there isn’t), but it’s still a strong group, regardless of whether your need is at guard or center. Harris is one of the top center prospects in the class, while Simpson and Bredeson are smart, powerful and athletic players who have been tested against some of the nation’s best defensive lines.
Sleeper to Watch
Ben Bartch | St. John’s
The Senior Bowl has a fantastic track record of finding small-school studs along the offensive line (see Ali Marpet), and Bartch could be the next feather in their cap. At 6-7, 305, Bartch spent his time at left tackle, but the Senior Bowl has him listed as a guard, which may be where pro teams project him. This week is a huge chance for Bartch to prove he belongs among the best.
EDGE DEFENDER
Top Prospects
Jonathan Greenard | Florida
Zach Baun | Wisconsin
Alton Robinson | Syracuse
There may not be any first-round prospects in this group, but there are some productive rushers from Power 5 schools who have a chance to do their draft stock a favor. Greenard’s nonstop motor made him a key cog for the Gators after Jabari Zuniga’s injury, while Baun and Robinson made big plays consistently for their respective teams. All should shine in 1-on-1s down in Mobile.
Sleeper to Watch
Bradlee Anae | Utah
The Utes’ defensive front was one of the most physical I saw all year long, and Anae was a big reason why. The 6-3, 265-pounder is a well-rounded prospect who can set the edge against the run, and get after opposing quarterbacks. Expect his arrow to be pointing up after a strong week of practice.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Top Prospects
Javon Kinlaw | South Carolina
Raekwon Davis | Alabama
Neville Gallimore | Oklahoma
This year’s class of interior defenders is somewhat top-heavy rather then deep across the board, which made it a huge win for the Senior Bowl to get three of the best at the position down in Mobile. Kinlaw’s upside could make him a top-15 pick, while Davis made the most of his decision to return for his senior season. Gallimore is an explosive defender who is always in the opposing backfield.
Sleeper to Watch
Larrell Murchison | North Carolina State
The next in a fantastic line of recent studs to come from the Wolfpack defensive line, Murchison is a versatile defender who packs a punch. Listed at 6-3, 291 pounds, Murchison’s skill set should allow him to fit any scheme or alignment at the next level, something he’ll prove on the field in Mobile.
LINEBACKER
Top Prospects
Terrell Lewis | Alabama
Malik Harrison | Ohio State
Anfernee Jennings | Alabama
Both Alabama players are listed simply as linebackers for this week, which may give us a hint that NFL teams want to see what both Lewis and Jennings can do in off-ball responsibilities. They’ve both shined as edge rushers, but the league’s decision-makers may want to see how versatile they can be at the next level. Harrison is yet another downhill thumper to come out of Columbus with all the tools to be a Day 1 starter.
Sleeper to Watch
Akeem Davis-Gaither | Appalachian State
If your favorite NFL team is looking for a lean, mean, tackling machine, Davis-Gaither is their man. An athletic playmaker who can fly all over the field, Davis-Gaither is the perfect fit for any 4-3 team who needs a weakside backer in the Lavonte David mold.
CORNERBACK
Top Prospects
Kristian Fulton | LSU
Lamar Jackson | Nebraska
Not too many big names in this group, but it does boast a potential first-round pick in Fulton, who struggled in the national title game but still has top-32 talent. It’s a deep class at the top, but the second tier of corner prospects in this year’s group is begging for a player to separate from the pack, and Jackson could do just that with a strong week in Mobile.
Sleeper to Watch
Kindle Vildor | Georgia Southern
A two-time, first-team all-conference pick, Vildor is a solid cover man with something to prove against the bigger-name prospects this week. The 5-11, 190-pounder has dealt with some injuries, but at full strength, he’s looked like one of the nation’s best at a premium position.
SAFETY
Top Prospects
Ashtyn Davis | California
K’Von Wallace | Clemson
Khaleke Hudson | Michigan
Lots of versatility in this group, from downhill box-dwellers to ball-hawking center-fielders. Davis excels at finding the ball at every level of the field, while Wallace will have plenty to prove after what happened to the Tigers secondary in the national title game. Hudson is a hybrid defender who could be a big-time playmaker in the right system.
Sleeper to Watch
Kyle Dugger | Lenoir-Rhyne
With his combination of size and athleticism, it makes little sense why Dugger wasn’t making plays at one of the nation’s powerhouse programs over the last few years. In any event, what Lenior-Rhyne has known for a while, the rest of the football world is about to find out in Mobile. Dugger is the real deal, and should be a Day 2 pick after this week.
