With fewer underclassmen declaring for the 2015 NFL Draft, what better way to see what this class has to offer than at the Senior Bowl on Saturday?
The game produced several strong performers, but as most know, it is the performance through the week at practice for the scouts that makes or breaks an NFL prospect’s Senior Bowl as a whole.
With this in mind, here is a list of winners and losers throughout the week:
Winners
Kevin White, CB, TCU: While White picked up an interception in the actual game, he was also strong all week in practice. While all of the craze in pro football has recently flowed to big corners, While has the ball skills to change that in the coming NFL draft season. At 5-9, he also runs well and is not afraid to step up and make a tackle.
Quintin Rollins, CB, Miami (OH): The former basketball player enjoyed a strong week. Rollins also intercepted a pass in the game and showed the versatility and technique needed to rise up the board quickly, in the event he can deliver a fast time at the NFL Combine.
Clive Watford, TE, Miami: After a strong week in Mobile, Watford may have worked his way into being the top tight end on the board. Watford was fast off the line and a difficult cover all week. He could provide some tough matchups at the next level with this ability, while also having the size needed to be a presence as an effective blocker.
Dezmin Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas: In a class that features some of the top wideouts around six feet, Lewis stands tall… literally. Lewis, who is 6-3 and 215 pounds, showed the ability to run fluid, smooth routes. If Lewis can come to the combine and run a decent time with that frame, he could move up the board.
Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina: While Hardy doesn’t have the size of Lewis, he is someone I have loved all season. He runs some of the cleanest routes I have seen out of any prospects this year. While Hardy may not combine the size and speed of an early-round pick, he will give somebody a really strong NFL player at a bargain price.
Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: While Shelton was the top rated player at the Senior Bowl, he did nothing to hurt his stock. Shelton showed the combination of power and speed in the middle that is necessary for any elite prospect.
Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson: With Miami’s Denzel Perryman missing most of the week due to injury, Anthony stepped up big in his place. Anthony showed the side-to-side speed that will allow him to have success in the NFL. Anthony may turn out to be one of the biggest risers in the draft due to his work in Mobile.
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Losers
Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor: While Petty feels that he is the top quarterback in this class, the past week did a lot to prove otherwise. While there is little doubt that Petty would struggle in transitioning to an NFL offense, his lack of timing, footwork and accuracy this past week only added to these concerns.
Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State: While Mannion is not adjusting to playing under center like Petty, he did nothing to raise his draft stock this past week. Mannion showed some of the same footwork and accuracy-based deficiencies displayed by Petty.
T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pitt: While Clemmings will still likely be an early first-round pick, he did nothing special in Mobile. Clemmings has that dreaded ‘upside’ word, but he is still really raw and will need to improve his technique to be ready at the next level.
Nick Marshall, CB, Auburn: Marshall began the week by working at corner for the first time in years. To nobody’s surprise, Marshall was extremely raw and has a long way to go before he is anywhere near ready at the position in the pros.
Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford: While size can be overrated, Montgomery managed to lose two inches on his measurements at the Senior Bowl (he came in under six feet). Montgomery also dropped several passes during the week, which is difficult to survive in light of the positional depth in this draft.
