Players to Watch in the Senior Bowl

by Harris Oates

Offense

Drew Lock – QB – Missouri

Team: North (#3)

FPF Rank – #4 QB, #36 overall

Lock is in the first-round quarterback conversation and has a lot to prove in Mobile. He has had a solid week of practice despite hand measurements of only 9 inches. Saturday’s game will truly determine if his week of practice adds up to anything more than a few good days of practice.

Daniel Jones – QB – Duke

Team: North (#17)

FPF Rank – #1 QB, #17 overall

Jones has drawn some serious interest around the league, especially after measuring 6’5”+. There have been a few questions regarding his passing consistency in practice, but that should have very little impact on his draft stock. A couple of interceptions when playing with all new weapons against elite defenses shouldn’t be regarded as severe. Jones is still the #1 QB going into the game and a great game statistically will keep him there.

Andy Isabella – WR – Massachusetts

Team: North (#5)

FPF Rank – #3 WR, #38 Overall

Isabella may lack ideal size, but so do some of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He should be a first rounder, especially after dominating UGA’s secondary in the fall. If he can again prove his quickness and route running works against great defenders, he can further prove his first round potential.

Jakobi Meyers – WR – NC State

Team: North (#11)

FPF Rank – #9 WR, #76 Overall

Meyers is a bit of a late bloomer, but he has had a great week of practice. He lost a lot of production while playing in the same offense as Kelvin Harmon but has a chance to shine on Saturday.

Deebo Samuel – WR – South Carolina

Team: South (#1)

FPF Rank – #8 WR, #61 Overall

Deebo has been going off since he arrived in Mobile. He has proven his quickness off the line and is moving into first round territory. If Samuel has a good Senior Bowl and performs well in the combine there is a good chance that he will move up into the top 3 wide receivers.

Will Grier – QB – West Virginia

Team: South (#7)

FPF Rank: #3 QB, #22 Overall

Grier has had a good showing in practice, but that has partly been due to having several of his weapons along side him. He is only around 6’2”, but always seems to perform well in the limelight. He is a polished QB who could very well be a first rounder in April.

Anthony Johnson – WR – Buffalo

Team: South (#83)

FPF Rank: #10 WR, #77 Overall

Johnson is another wide receiver who is in the top 3 conversation. This WR class is as close as ever right now, but the Senior Bowl will help sort out where a lot of these guys stand.

Karan Higdon – RB – Michigan

North: (#22)

FPF Rank: #9 RB, #85 Overall

The Senior Bowl, as usual, does not boast a talented running back group. Higdon is one of the few who played in a big system and had over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Higdon is a mid-round selection but could boost that after Saturday’s game.

Defense

Oshane Ximines – DE – Old Dominion

South: (#7)

FPF Rank: #9 DE, #43 Overall

A relative dark horse, but not after this week. Ximines could be the one small school player to make it as a first round selection.

Montez Sweat – DE – Mississippi State

South: (#9)

FPF Rank: #6 DE, #21 Overall

Sweat has had the best week of anyone and according to many scouts he is now seen as a top 10 prospect. If he dominates like he did in practice, he will be on everyone’s radar.

Germaine Pratt – LB – NC State

North: (#3)

FPF Rank: #4 LB, #58 Overall

Part of a relatively weak linebacker class, Pratt has a chance to boost himself into the core group. He had a terrific career at NC State and finished with over 100 tackles in 2018. He will find his way onto a 53-man roster in the NFL.

Sutton Smith – OLB – Northern Illinois

North: (#15)

FPF Rank: #4 LB, #40 Overall

Another Darkhorse who is soon to be on everyone’s radar. Smith had one of the most consistent careers as a pass rusher as he put up back to back 14+ sack and 2+ forced fumbles seasons at Northern Illinois. He is undersized as a defensive end but will most likely be viewed as an outside linebacker option. Look for Smith to be lined up in just about any way possible.  

Nasir Adderley – S – Delaware

North: (#23)

FPF Rank: #5 S, #78 Overall

Adderley is another small school prospect, but very well could be the first safety drafted. Guys from the SEC and Big 10 have been favored in scouting reports, but Adderley is about to put his name on the map.

Harris is a recent graduate of Birmingham-Southern College. He now works in Birmingham as well as coaches lacrosse for Mountain Brook High School. He loves following SEC football, covering fantasy football, the NFL Draft, and is also a lifelong Carolina Panthers fan.