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I mean they both fell down, not sure if that really gets the QB down...
2022 Senior Bowl Thread
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Simpleton
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I'd still take Kenyon Green but I don't think there's a huge, or maybe any gap between them.
I'd be perfectly happy with either at 24.
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If we want a RT now who can move to LT and move Collins to LG he may be a good fit.
Simpleton
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Would be perfectly fine with him at 24, he'd give us plenty of options, including possibly moving on from Tyron in a year.
Simpleton
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He took this rep as a center by the way.
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He gone. Boston College?
Simpleton
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Everybody knows how much Quinn loves arm length with Osa and Golston having two of the longest arm measurements in the class last year.
Osa was at just over 34 inches.
Well, Perrion Winfrey who murdered practice this week and is very explosive on the interior has 35.5 inch arms, which damn well may be the longest in the entire 2022 class. If he's there in the 2nd don't be shocked if he's the pick.
Osa was at just over 34 inches.
Well, Perrion Winfrey who murdered practice this week and is very explosive on the interior has 35.5 inch arms, which damn well may be the longest in the entire 2022 class. If he's there in the 2nd don't be shocked if he's the pick.
Simpleton
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I mean, Linderbaum is a better center as it stands right now. Zion could be better but it's a projection, if Zion goes first and pushes Linderbaum to us, well, fine.
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Both look very good. Unless there are some reaches, I dunno.
Simpleton
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I'm watching today's practice and Zion got a number of reps at center in the team drills, I might have to actually watch the game to see how he looks in live action.
Simpleton
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If both go before 24 someone like Kenyon Green, Ojabo, Jermaine Johnson, Nakobe Dean, etc. will be there.
Someone really good will be available, these fucks just need to not take Trent McDuffie or something.
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Yeah he seems to have that body type we love. I agree too he has looked really good.
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Yes, just for comparison in college, he was far more talented than Gallimore. Like not even close. I thought he could be a top 20 overall kind of guy based on 2020.
I don't know why he didn't show up more his last year, but then the whole team was screwed up, probably because they knew their coach was out the door early in the season. Or maybe it was just some minor injuries, that type of thing.
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Senior Bowl practice for 2022 NFL draft: Best quarterbacks, standouts, sleepers and nuggets to know from Day 2
play
NFL prospects Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett show what they can do during Senior Bowl practice. (0:53)
Feb 2, 2022
The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of the top upperclassman NFL draft prospects in the country, with more than 100 prospects split into two teams. The National team is coached by the New York Jets staff, while the American team is coached by the Detroit Lions. There is one more day of two-hour padded practice sessions on Thursday, with coverage at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App and then 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN App. The game is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
Which quarterbacks performed well Wednesday, and which were underwhelming? Which under-the-radar prospects impressed NFL teams? And which prospects need to improve the rest of the week? Here are my thoughts from Day 2, including a few quick-hit nuggets from both practices.
Best quarterbacks on Day 2
Malik Willis, Liberty (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 21
The biggest factor that NFL evaluators measure when watching quarterbacks is the day-to-day improvement each of them make. As I wrote Tuesday about Willis, he struggled throwing passes that were breaking away from him. During Day 2, he eliminated those issues and had the best day of any signal-caller. He had several impressive tosses on the day, showing off his arm strength. His best came fading away on a 25-yard pass to tight end Greg Dulcich (UCLA).
The 6-foot Willis has the strongest arm of any of the quarterbacks in Mobile. He ran a little bit on Wednesday, too, showing off his legs in the 11-on-11 portion. The next step for Willis is identifying pressure points and throwing hot routes away from blitzes, which was an area in which he had some troubles during the 11-on-11 work.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Carson Strong, Nevada (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 54
Strong and Willis were the quarterbacks whose passes cut through the rain the best Wednesday. The ball has plenty of life when coming out of Strong's hands. After struggling with his accuracy on Day 1, he was more precise, but his ball placement still remained a bit scattershot. He seemed as if he was overcompensating for the weather, as many of his passes came out hot and he lost control of his accuracy on some occasions.
Strong's go-to target has been former college teammate Romeo Doubs. His best pass of the day came on a corner route to his No. 1 target at Nevada. With the third day of practice expected to be inside, he has a prime opportunity to continue to build on what was a promising showing on Wednesday despite the weather.
How the other four quarterbacks fared
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 42
Ridder had some struggles with accuracy Wednesday. Considering the elements, his best throw of the day came to Trey McBride (Colorado State), who made a tough catch down the seam, and another came on a dig route off play-action to Doubs over the middle.
Ridder still has lots of questions to answer through two days. Putting together a strong third practice could go a long way in helping to improve his draft stock. He needs to improve with his ball placement on Thursday. Scouts I talk to still see Ridder being selected within the top 50 picks, though.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 20
Pickett ditched one of his gloves Wednesday, just wearing one on his throwing hand, and he had an up-and-down performance. He had some troubles with driving the ball in the deeper portions of the field in the inclement weather.
His hand size will be a recurring narrative, and Wednesday was a great test to see how he fared in difficult circumstances. After a steady first day, Pickett was inconsistent from period to period. He was correct on reads and didn't force the ball to pass-catchers, but he opted to dump the ball to his running backs and not risk testing windows considering the circumstances.
With practice moving indoors Thursday, Pickett will be in a favorable environment, which could lead to similar results that we saw from him during the first practice.
Sam Howell, UNC (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 34
It has been tough to get a feel for Howell so far. He played in a quarterback-friendly system at UNC that was heavy on run-pass options, and he has had to adjust to a pro-style system in Mobile. He didn't have much college experience with taking snaps from under center, and he wasn't asked to throw to all areas of the field in college. He has at times looked uncomfortable; he looks much better when operating out of shotgun.
Howell's best passes have come from his comfort zone, and he has the best deep touch of any of the quarterbacks here. He has showed off that deep accuracy a few times through the first two days. His best throw of the day came during the one-on-one session on a deep corner route to wide receiver Calvin Austin III (Memphis), when he dropped it over the head of cornerback Mario Goodrich (Clemson).
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe was the quarterback who had the most challenges with the elements, as his accuracy and decision-making remained inconsistent. He has had some high moments with his efficiency in the underneath and intermediate areas over the middle of the field. He was involved in a record-setting Air Raid attack in college, but many evaluators wanted to see how he would perform outside of that offense.
Zappe is used to a quick-fire attack that wastes little time with exhausting lengthy progressions, and the NFL playbook and extended dropbacks have been an adjustment for him. On top of fighting the weather elements combined with having average arm strength, he continues to battle.
Biggest standouts from Day 2
Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 78
Winfrey's explosiveness popped again at Day 2 of practices. His first step is fast, but he has the quick hands to match. Both skills have worked harmoniously together in multiple periods of practice. He was at his best during the 11-on-11 periods, in which he had back-to-back plays that included a fumble recovery while in ball pursuit and a quick arm-over move that would have resulted in a sack.
Winfrey has played with a lot of energy here; he was constantly strolling back and forth along the defensive line during the one-on-one periods, saying, "Let's go!" to his teammates and giving them high-fives at the same time. Winfrey had the most impressive performance of any player on the National team roster Wednesday.
Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 173
Pierce had only 206 carries at Florida over the past two seasons, and that underutilization could work in his favor. He has a great frame and some versatility in the passing game, which means he could be the type of prospect who's better in the NFL than he was in college. He had multiple runs on Wednesday that were highlights.
Each of the practices coached by the Lions' coaching staff has ended with some sort of competition. As one of the competitors Wednesday, Pierce was forced to win a one-on-one pass-protection rep against linebacker D'Marco Jackson (Appalachian State). Pierce stopped Jackson in his tracks, sending his offensive teammates into a frenzy. Running back is among the hardest positions for prospects to stand out, but Pierce managed to do that on Day 2.
Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 52
Pitre is smooth. He has experience playing around the box, but he needed to show in Mobile that he is dependable in coverage. Besides allowing a tough catch by tight end Trey McBride (Colorado State) down the seam, Pitre was sharp in coverage. He impressed the most in run defense, though.
Pitre played the STAR position in coach Dave Aranda's Baylor defense, and his instincts were evident on tape. That trait has carried over here, as he has been consistent against the run, fitting in his gaps with authority and proving to be a loose mover in coverage. There's minimal wasted motion in Pitre's game when operating as the low safety. He has silenced some questions about his ability in both man and zone coverage.
Logan Hall, DT, Houston (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 56
Hall, one of the most physically imposing prospects in Mobile, has impressed on the field. Primarily playing as a 3-technique tackle, his length and repertoire of moves were on display. His competitiveness also showed, as interior offensive lineman Cole Strange (Chattanooga) quickly was fired up after he won a rep against Hall, but the entire unit gathered around the two for a second rep that Hall won with an easy club-and-rip move.
At 6-foot-5, 278 pounds, Hall could be seen as a fit as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
2022 NFL draft coverage
• Rankings: Kiper » | McShay »
• Kiper's debut 2022 mock draft »
• McShay's opening 2022 mock draft »
• Meet the QBs in the 2022 class »
• Draft order: Top 24 picks set »
• More coverage » | Full rankings »
Travis Jones, IDL, UConn (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
Building off a strong performance from Day 1, Jones showed an extra jolt of energy as a pass-rusher while remaining stout at the point of attack. He overpowered blockers throughout the day with a bull rush, forcing linemen off their spots when burying his head and attacking them right down the middle.
Jones also showed some versatility, spending time as both a 0- and 1-technique tackle. His pass-rush upside has continued to grow, which was evident with his 4.5 sacks last season. In a class that lacks depth at interior defensive line, he has helped himself. He is firmly in the Day 2 discussion.
Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 29
McBride, the highest-ranked tight end coming into the Senior Bowl, has done nothing to drop out of the top spot. As a pass catcher, he has been as advertised. His most impressive catch of the day came on a seam pattern from Pickett. With Pitre draped all over him, he made a tough all-hands catch that would have resulted in an explosive play.
McBride will make a strong push to be the first tight end off of the board, which likely could come inside of the top 50 picks.
Quick-hitters from Day 2
play
NFL prospects Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett show what they can do during Senior Bowl practice. (0:53)
Feb 2, 2022
-
Jordan ReidESPN
The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of the top upperclassman NFL draft prospects in the country, with more than 100 prospects split into two teams. The National team is coached by the New York Jets staff, while the American team is coached by the Detroit Lions. There is one more day of two-hour padded practice sessions on Thursday, with coverage at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App and then 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN App. The game is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
Which quarterbacks performed well Wednesday, and which were underwhelming? Which under-the-radar prospects impressed NFL teams? And which prospects need to improve the rest of the week? Here are my thoughts from Day 2, including a few quick-hit nuggets from both practices.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 21
The biggest factor that NFL evaluators measure when watching quarterbacks is the day-to-day improvement each of them make. As I wrote Tuesday about Willis, he struggled throwing passes that were breaking away from him. During Day 2, he eliminated those issues and had the best day of any signal-caller. He had several impressive tosses on the day, showing off his arm strength. His best came fading away on a 25-yard pass to tight end Greg Dulcich (UCLA).
The 6-foot Willis has the strongest arm of any of the quarterbacks in Mobile. He ran a little bit on Wednesday, too, showing off his legs in the 11-on-11 portion. The next step for Willis is identifying pressure points and throwing hot routes away from blitzes, which was an area in which he had some troubles during the 11-on-11 work.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Best QBs, NFL draft standouts from Senior Bowl Day 1: Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett impress
3dJordan Reid
15 standouts at East-West Shrine Bowl practices: NFL draft prospects who improved their stock
2dJordan Reid
NFL draft experts preview the Senior Bowl: Top quarterbacks, prospects and sleepers to watch
3dNFL draft experts
Scouts Inc. ranking: 54
Strong and Willis were the quarterbacks whose passes cut through the rain the best Wednesday. The ball has plenty of life when coming out of Strong's hands. After struggling with his accuracy on Day 1, he was more precise, but his ball placement still remained a bit scattershot. He seemed as if he was overcompensating for the weather, as many of his passes came out hot and he lost control of his accuracy on some occasions.
Strong's go-to target has been former college teammate Romeo Doubs. His best pass of the day came on a corner route to his No. 1 target at Nevada. With the third day of practice expected to be inside, he has a prime opportunity to continue to build on what was a promising showing on Wednesday despite the weather.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 42
Ridder had some struggles with accuracy Wednesday. Considering the elements, his best throw of the day came to Trey McBride (Colorado State), who made a tough catch down the seam, and another came on a dig route off play-action to Doubs over the middle.
Ridder still has lots of questions to answer through two days. Putting together a strong third practice could go a long way in helping to improve his draft stock. He needs to improve with his ball placement on Thursday. Scouts I talk to still see Ridder being selected within the top 50 picks, though.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 20
Pickett ditched one of his gloves Wednesday, just wearing one on his throwing hand, and he had an up-and-down performance. He had some troubles with driving the ball in the deeper portions of the field in the inclement weather.
His hand size will be a recurring narrative, and Wednesday was a great test to see how he fared in difficult circumstances. After a steady first day, Pickett was inconsistent from period to period. He was correct on reads and didn't force the ball to pass-catchers, but he opted to dump the ball to his running backs and not risk testing windows considering the circumstances.
With practice moving indoors Thursday, Pickett will be in a favorable environment, which could lead to similar results that we saw from him during the first practice.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 34
It has been tough to get a feel for Howell so far. He played in a quarterback-friendly system at UNC that was heavy on run-pass options, and he has had to adjust to a pro-style system in Mobile. He didn't have much college experience with taking snaps from under center, and he wasn't asked to throw to all areas of the field in college. He has at times looked uncomfortable; he looks much better when operating out of shotgun.
Howell's best passes have come from his comfort zone, and he has the best deep touch of any of the quarterbacks here. He has showed off that deep accuracy a few times through the first two days. His best throw of the day came during the one-on-one session on a deep corner route to wide receiver Calvin Austin III (Memphis), when he dropped it over the head of cornerback Mario Goodrich (Clemson).
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe was the quarterback who had the most challenges with the elements, as his accuracy and decision-making remained inconsistent. He has had some high moments with his efficiency in the underneath and intermediate areas over the middle of the field. He was involved in a record-setting Air Raid attack in college, but many evaluators wanted to see how he would perform outside of that offense.
Zappe is used to a quick-fire attack that wastes little time with exhausting lengthy progressions, and the NFL playbook and extended dropbacks have been an adjustment for him. On top of fighting the weather elements combined with having average arm strength, he continues to battle.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 78
Winfrey's explosiveness popped again at Day 2 of practices. His first step is fast, but he has the quick hands to match. Both skills have worked harmoniously together in multiple periods of practice. He was at his best during the 11-on-11 periods, in which he had back-to-back plays that included a fumble recovery while in ball pursuit and a quick arm-over move that would have resulted in a sack.
Winfrey has played with a lot of energy here; he was constantly strolling back and forth along the defensive line during the one-on-one periods, saying, "Let's go!" to his teammates and giving them high-fives at the same time. Winfrey had the most impressive performance of any player on the National team roster Wednesday.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 173
Pierce had only 206 carries at Florida over the past two seasons, and that underutilization could work in his favor. He has a great frame and some versatility in the passing game, which means he could be the type of prospect who's better in the NFL than he was in college. He had multiple runs on Wednesday that were highlights.
Each of the practices coached by the Lions' coaching staff has ended with some sort of competition. As one of the competitors Wednesday, Pierce was forced to win a one-on-one pass-protection rep against linebacker D'Marco Jackson (Appalachian State). Pierce stopped Jackson in his tracks, sending his offensive teammates into a frenzy. Running back is among the hardest positions for prospects to stand out, but Pierce managed to do that on Day 2.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 52
Pitre is smooth. He has experience playing around the box, but he needed to show in Mobile that he is dependable in coverage. Besides allowing a tough catch by tight end Trey McBride (Colorado State) down the seam, Pitre was sharp in coverage. He impressed the most in run defense, though.
Pitre played the STAR position in coach Dave Aranda's Baylor defense, and his instincts were evident on tape. That trait has carried over here, as he has been consistent against the run, fitting in his gaps with authority and proving to be a loose mover in coverage. There's minimal wasted motion in Pitre's game when operating as the low safety. He has silenced some questions about his ability in both man and zone coverage.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 56
Hall, one of the most physically imposing prospects in Mobile, has impressed on the field. Primarily playing as a 3-technique tackle, his length and repertoire of moves were on display. His competitiveness also showed, as interior offensive lineman Cole Strange (Chattanooga) quickly was fired up after he won a rep against Hall, but the entire unit gathered around the two for a second rep that Hall won with an easy club-and-rip move.
At 6-foot-5, 278 pounds, Hall could be seen as a fit as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
2022 NFL draft coverage
• Rankings: Kiper » | McShay »
• Kiper's debut 2022 mock draft »
• McShay's opening 2022 mock draft »
• Meet the QBs in the 2022 class »
• Draft order: Top 24 picks set »
• More coverage » | Full rankings »
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
Building off a strong performance from Day 1, Jones showed an extra jolt of energy as a pass-rusher while remaining stout at the point of attack. He overpowered blockers throughout the day with a bull rush, forcing linemen off their spots when burying his head and attacking them right down the middle.
Jones also showed some versatility, spending time as both a 0- and 1-technique tackle. His pass-rush upside has continued to grow, which was evident with his 4.5 sacks last season. In a class that lacks depth at interior defensive line, he has helped himself. He is firmly in the Day 2 discussion.
Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 29
McBride, the highest-ranked tight end coming into the Senior Bowl, has done nothing to drop out of the top spot. As a pass catcher, he has been as advertised. His most impressive catch of the day came on a seam pattern from Pickett. With Pitre draped all over him, he made a tough all-hands catch that would have resulted in an explosive play.
McBride will make a strong push to be the first tight end off of the board, which likely could come inside of the top 50 picks.
- UCLA defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia had several moments that caught my eye. He had two consecutive standout reps against Zion Johnson in one-on-one drills. His compact build and power are noteworthy.
- Arkansas defensive tackle John Ridgeway had a strong start to practice. He's very strong. A stout player at the point of attack, he has been disruptive as a run defender during the team periods of practice.
- As he did Tuesday, Boston College interior offensive lineman Zion Johnson once again stayed after practice to get extra snaps at center. That's a small note that scouts will write down about him because he doesn't have much experience playing center.
- Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely had multiple big plays Wednesday. One NFL comp I heard for him: Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett. Likely is more of a traditional "F" tight end, and he has value as a receiving threat.
- Memphis WR Calvin Austin III is the most explosive receiver on either team. He has easy speed and has continued to race past defensive backs. A true vertical threat, his ability to get behind the defense will be coveted by teams in search of perimeter speed at the position.
- San Diego State edge defender Cameron Thomas, SMU wide receiver Danny Gray and Central Michigan offensive tackle Luke Goedeke have all been ruled out for the rest of the week.
- Sam Houston State wide receiver Jequez Ezzard, Ole Miss edge defender Sam Williams and LSU offensive tackle Chasen Hines have been added to the roster. Oregon safety Verone McKinley was also added and practiced Wednesday.
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Senior Bowl practice for 2022 NFL draft: Best quarterbacks, biggest risers, sleepers and nuggets to know from Day 3
play
Former Liberty QB and NFL prospect Malik Willis hits the bucket twice during a target practice drill at the Senior Bowl. (0:22)
6:55 PM CT
The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of the top upperclassman prospects in the country, with more than 100 prospects split into two teams. The National team is coached by the New York Jets' staff, while the American team is coached by the Detroit Lions. The game is at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday on NFL Network.
So which of the six quarterbacks in Mobile impressed on Thursday, and which were inconsistent? Which under-the-radar prospects continued their strong weeks? And who are the biggest draft risers from the entire week of practice?
Here are my thoughts from Day 3:
Seven biggest risers from the week
Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 49
When projected first-round picks opt to participate in events like the Senior Bowl, they are expected to stand out among the competition. Johnson wasted little time doing that during the first day of practice and followed that up with an even more impressive second day. He quickly caught everyone's attention in the stadium and was simply dominant when he competed. Johnson didn't participate during the third day for unspecified reasons, and he wasn't present during Thursday's practice.
Still, he showed everything he needed to while on the field, and a strong argument could be made that he was the most impressive player on either team. In a strong edge rusher class, he could rise all the way up into the top 20 picks.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 253
When focusing on small-school prospects at practices, it's always interesting to see how quickly they adjust to the speed of the game and whether they continue to play fast once they do get acclimated. From the first to the third day, there didn't seem to be any type of learning curve for Watson. I thought he was the most consistent receiver all week. His physical traits shined brightly during Thursday's practice, which involved a lot of red zone routes against man coverage.
At 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, Watson has plenty of speed for his size, but it's his stop-start ability and body control in the air that stood out most. Besides one uncovered drop, he managed to catch everything else even if it wasn't located in the strike zone. Scouts I talked to quickly mentioned his name as one the biggest winners of the week. Watson could be a target for wideout-needy teams in the late Day 2 range.
Travis Jones, IDL, UConn (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
Jones was the player who impressed me most this week. His power was unmatched, and he's a well-built 329 pounds. His combination of strength and raw power helps him at the point of attack, and blockers struggled all week to cover him up cleanly. Through three days, you can count on one hand the number of reps he didn't win.
Showing off his versatility, Jones played both 0- and 1-technique tackle during the week. He grabbed the attention of teams that run different schemes, proving he can operate in any interior gap. After a standout 2021 season and with a thin interior defensive line class, Jones has earned himself a lot of money with his performances in Mobile.
Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 78
Heading into the 2021 season, Winfrey was a prospect I was excited to track. After an inconsistent season in which he didn't take an expected leap, however, he entered the Senior Bowl with a prime opportunity to showcase his abilities. Winfrey's first-step burst was the best of any of the interior defenders, and his consistency was impressive. He showed lots of energy throughout practices, only seeming to scratch the surface of the talent that had evaluators excited entering last season.
Winfrey was the No. 1 overall junior college recruit in the country during the 2019 recruiting cycle, and the talent was always clear, but the next stage of development wasn't unlocked at Oklahoma. "Potential" is a word that will be written down on Winfrey's draft profile for NFL teams, and he showed many flashes over the past three days.
Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 52
Pitre far exceeded my expectations this week. He was primarily used as the low safety in Dave Aranda's Baylor defense, playing the "STAR" position, and he often played around the line of scrimmage and was used frequently in run support. His exposure to pass coverage was limited to slot duties, which meant guarding slot receivers and tight ends up the seam. Scouts wanted to see him more on an island.
Pitre passed the test with ease this week. He's an easy mover who changes directions with no hesitation, and he has the ball skills to put his hand in the throwing window and knock it away. His consistency in pass coverage combined with his intensity in run support make him one of the more versatile safety prospects in this class.
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 37
The early debate about McCreary centered around his short arms, which were measured at 29 inches. He spent most of his time in Mobile getting a mixture of nickel and outside corner reps. During the final two practices, it seemed as if the American team's coaching staff fully transitioned him inside, but that doesn't necessarily mean that's what he's only going to play on the next level. The three days of practice cross-training at each spot were valuable experience for McCreary, and he proved to teams that he can be versatile.
Here's what an NFC scout told me about McCreary: "Teams are going to make the same mistake with him that they made with Asante Samuel Jr. last year. He's going to go in the second round because people think that he has to play inside because of the measurables when he has what it takes to be a productive starter on the outside."
Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 30
Wyatt was as advertised in Mobile, showing a combination of first explosion and quickness in all directions. Primarily playing 3-technique tackle, he's a true penetrator at the line of scrimmage who thrives on piercing the first level of the defense. His disruptive ways continued through all periods of practice.
The most impressive part of Wyatt's game is how he can switch up his tactics to defeat blocks. He can rush the middle of blockers, and then on the next rep, he can perform a quick stutter step and club-rip move that leaves blockers in their tracks.
That type of quickness and rolodex of moves continues to move the needle of Wyatt's stock, and it shouldn't come as a surprise if he ends up being selected in the top 40 picks in April.
Best quarterbacks on Day 3
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 42
After a shaky first day, I thought Ridder rebounded nicely with back-to-back solid practices. He had some impressive throws on a wet and windy Wednesday. Building on that, he took advantage of being inside Thursday and had his best day yet.
Working primarily in the red zone, Ridder made quick decisions and was accurate despite the field being condensed with smaller margins for error. He seemed to be the most comfortable when allowed to operate off play-action and on bootleg action plays that allowed him to get outside of the pocket. He showed off his mobility on a few plays; he's a vertical runner with enough speed to gain the yardage available to him.
Ridder is a quick processor, and it's clear he became more familiar and confident with his execution of the playbook as the week progressed.
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe is the quarterback who took advantage of being inside the most, as he had his best day yet Thursday. Considering the quick and aggressive attack that he played in for the Hilltoppers, he was known to be a quick decision-maker. With the field shrinking in Thursday's practice, his processing ability was on full display.
Zappe's best throw came on a corner route to Velus Jones Jr. (Tennessee), when he lofted the ball perfectly toward the back pylon. He remains the most popular option for teams that could be looking for a quarterback in the middle rounds of this draft.
How the other four quarterbacks fared
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 20
After facing challenges from the rain Wednesday, Pickett -- who went back to wearing gloves on both hands -- had some high moments during the first hour of practice Thursday. He threw the ball cleanly and drove it well, with multiple nice throws during the lead-up to the final 7-on-7 period, which is where things began to go downhill. After throwing into danger, he left a go-ball short that was close to being intercepted by Coby Bryant (Cincinnati). The very next play, the defense was able to cash in on his risky decision-making as Jalen Pitre (Baylor) tipped a ball up into the air and Kerby Joseph (Illinois) made a diving interception.
In my evaluation of Pickett for the day, this was a pivotal moment because it was an opportunity to bounce back after facing some adversity. He went on to throw three consecutive touchdowns. Little psychological angles like that are what scouts look for when measuring the mental toughness of signal-callers.
Sam Howell, UNC (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 34
Howell remained steady Thursday, as his accuracy to all levels of the field stood out. He has unique touch and knows the exact ball speeds to place on his throws, and he showed a great feel for how to drop it into the bucket on fade routes into the endzone. He mixed in some back-shoulder throws to keep the defensive backs off balance Thursday.
With a smooth, over-the-top delivery, Howell showed why his deep accuracy was so sought after in the Tar Heels' scheme. He is the ultimate wild card in this class, and opinions remain mixed on his draft range and how he projects in the NFL.
Malik Willis, Liberty (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 21
After a strong Day 2 performance, Willis' third day of practices had some highs and lows. It's clear he possesses the best physical traits and upside of any of the quarterbacks in Mobile, but consistency with his accuracy and knowing which situations require putting touch on the ball are the areas in which he needs to improve.
Willis is even more raw than Josh Allen was as a prospect coming out of Wyoming in 2018, and he will need to go to a team that has an entrenched starter, which forces him to sit and learn as he continues to learn the nuances of the position. I've been impressed the most by Willis of any of the signal-callers, but it's clear he's a long-term project who will need patience and guidance.
Carson Strong, Nevada (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 54
With no worries of weather, Strong's passes seemed to have the most velocity of any of the National team quarterbacks Thursday. With scouts straddling the out-of-bounds lines and end zones of the field, many were wowed by the up-close view of his arm talent, but his scattershot accuracy remained his biggest issue.
At his best during the 7-on-7 stage of practice, Strong's top pass of the day came on an out route to Bo Melton (Rutgers), throwing it on a line.
Strong had an up-and-down week, and his ball placement has been the most concerning area. The medical reports around him will be the biggest narrative -- he has had some knee issues -- but the arm strength and quick processing are evident. Surveying scouts about his projected draft range, many want to see how clean the medicals come back, but Round 2 was the feedback I consistently received.
Biggest standouts from Day 3
Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 222
An effortless mover in all parts of the field, White is a one-cut-and-go runner with upside as both a runner and pass catcher. He worked primarily inside of the 15-yard line the entire practice and had multiple runs that would've resulted in a score. He wasted little time with penetrating the first level of the defense and kept his body moving forward into the end zone.
As a receiver during the one-on-one period against the linebackers, White created the loudest gasp of the day from the crowd. Running an angle route against Darrian Beavers (Cincinnati), White crossed Beavers' face and left him in his tracks quickly.
White has the type of skill set that will enable offensive coordinators to run specific routes from various different alignments in formations. That type of versatility could help him become one of the first rushers taken on Day 3 of the draft.
Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: NR
Badie was a late addition before the start of the Senior Bowl, and he made his presence felt. With his best day coming Thursday, he had two explosive plays that stood out. On a screen pass from Pickett, he got lost in the scrum of defensive linemen racing toward the quarterback and reappeared behind a few blockers before accelerating quickly down the right sideline for what would've been a big gain.
Known for his versatility, Badie is a change-of-pace runner who could be a nice addition as a complementary player to a bigger back.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 16
Penning was a thorn in the side of defensive linemen throughout the week, but he faced challenges with adjusting to the speed of the edge rushers here. Two traits have remained constant, though; his physicality and determination to finish defenders have been clear to see.
On Thursday, Penning initiated multiple altercations with defensive lineman because of his effort through the echo of the whistle. He's the type of blocker who hasn't stopped all week, even after the referees signaled to stop the action. That type of effort will be a factor offensive line coaches could covet, and it's apparent why he received first-round grades coming into the event.
A scout from an AFC team mentioned he loves that fiery play because it's "easier to slow an offensive lineman down than to try to preach physicality into him," which is Penning's calling card.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 99
Shakir had his best day of the week and was constantly open. His abilities to generate clean releases and finish through tough catches were noticeable. Although he isn't overly fast, Shakir is a technician as a route runner and understands how to work releases and route stems, and can make tough catches no matter the surroundings.
The best performance of the day came during his streak of catches during the 7-on-7 period of practice. He caught everything that was thrown in his direction. Shakir has the upside of being a high quality WR3 on an NFL team's depth chart, but he could possibly turn into even more after some development.
play
Former Liberty QB and NFL prospect Malik Willis hits the bucket twice during a target practice drill at the Senior Bowl. (0:22)
6:55 PM CT
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Jordan ReidESPN
The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of the top upperclassman prospects in the country, with more than 100 prospects split into two teams. The National team is coached by the New York Jets' staff, while the American team is coached by the Detroit Lions. The game is at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday on NFL Network.
So which of the six quarterbacks in Mobile impressed on Thursday, and which were inconsistent? Which under-the-radar prospects continued their strong weeks? And who are the biggest draft risers from the entire week of practice?
Here are my thoughts from Day 3:
Scouts Inc. ranking: 49
When projected first-round picks opt to participate in events like the Senior Bowl, they are expected to stand out among the competition. Johnson wasted little time doing that during the first day of practice and followed that up with an even more impressive second day. He quickly caught everyone's attention in the stadium and was simply dominant when he competed. Johnson didn't participate during the third day for unspecified reasons, and he wasn't present during Thursday's practice.
Still, he showed everything he needed to while on the field, and a strong argument could be made that he was the most impressive player on either team. In a strong edge rusher class, he could rise all the way up into the top 20 picks.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 253
When focusing on small-school prospects at practices, it's always interesting to see how quickly they adjust to the speed of the game and whether they continue to play fast once they do get acclimated. From the first to the third day, there didn't seem to be any type of learning curve for Watson. I thought he was the most consistent receiver all week. His physical traits shined brightly during Thursday's practice, which involved a lot of red zone routes against man coverage.
At 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, Watson has plenty of speed for his size, but it's his stop-start ability and body control in the air that stood out most. Besides one uncovered drop, he managed to catch everything else even if it wasn't located in the strike zone. Scouts I talked to quickly mentioned his name as one the biggest winners of the week. Watson could be a target for wideout-needy teams in the late Day 2 range.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
Jones was the player who impressed me most this week. His power was unmatched, and he's a well-built 329 pounds. His combination of strength and raw power helps him at the point of attack, and blockers struggled all week to cover him up cleanly. Through three days, you can count on one hand the number of reps he didn't win.
Showing off his versatility, Jones played both 0- and 1-technique tackle during the week. He grabbed the attention of teams that run different schemes, proving he can operate in any interior gap. After a standout 2021 season and with a thin interior defensive line class, Jones has earned himself a lot of money with his performances in Mobile.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 78
Heading into the 2021 season, Winfrey was a prospect I was excited to track. After an inconsistent season in which he didn't take an expected leap, however, he entered the Senior Bowl with a prime opportunity to showcase his abilities. Winfrey's first-step burst was the best of any of the interior defenders, and his consistency was impressive. He showed lots of energy throughout practices, only seeming to scratch the surface of the talent that had evaluators excited entering last season.
Winfrey was the No. 1 overall junior college recruit in the country during the 2019 recruiting cycle, and the talent was always clear, but the next stage of development wasn't unlocked at Oklahoma. "Potential" is a word that will be written down on Winfrey's draft profile for NFL teams, and he showed many flashes over the past three days.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 52
Pitre far exceeded my expectations this week. He was primarily used as the low safety in Dave Aranda's Baylor defense, playing the "STAR" position, and he often played around the line of scrimmage and was used frequently in run support. His exposure to pass coverage was limited to slot duties, which meant guarding slot receivers and tight ends up the seam. Scouts wanted to see him more on an island.
Pitre passed the test with ease this week. He's an easy mover who changes directions with no hesitation, and he has the ball skills to put his hand in the throwing window and knock it away. His consistency in pass coverage combined with his intensity in run support make him one of the more versatile safety prospects in this class.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 37
The early debate about McCreary centered around his short arms, which were measured at 29 inches. He spent most of his time in Mobile getting a mixture of nickel and outside corner reps. During the final two practices, it seemed as if the American team's coaching staff fully transitioned him inside, but that doesn't necessarily mean that's what he's only going to play on the next level. The three days of practice cross-training at each spot were valuable experience for McCreary, and he proved to teams that he can be versatile.
Here's what an NFC scout told me about McCreary: "Teams are going to make the same mistake with him that they made with Asante Samuel Jr. last year. He's going to go in the second round because people think that he has to play inside because of the measurables when he has what it takes to be a productive starter on the outside."
Scouts Inc. ranking: 30
Wyatt was as advertised in Mobile, showing a combination of first explosion and quickness in all directions. Primarily playing 3-technique tackle, he's a true penetrator at the line of scrimmage who thrives on piercing the first level of the defense. His disruptive ways continued through all periods of practice.
The most impressive part of Wyatt's game is how he can switch up his tactics to defeat blocks. He can rush the middle of blockers, and then on the next rep, he can perform a quick stutter step and club-rip move that leaves blockers in their tracks.
That type of quickness and rolodex of moves continues to move the needle of Wyatt's stock, and it shouldn't come as a surprise if he ends up being selected in the top 40 picks in April.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 42
After a shaky first day, I thought Ridder rebounded nicely with back-to-back solid practices. He had some impressive throws on a wet and windy Wednesday. Building on that, he took advantage of being inside Thursday and had his best day yet.
Working primarily in the red zone, Ridder made quick decisions and was accurate despite the field being condensed with smaller margins for error. He seemed to be the most comfortable when allowed to operate off play-action and on bootleg action plays that allowed him to get outside of the pocket. He showed off his mobility on a few plays; he's a vertical runner with enough speed to gain the yardage available to him.
Ridder is a quick processor, and it's clear he became more familiar and confident with his execution of the playbook as the week progressed.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe is the quarterback who took advantage of being inside the most, as he had his best day yet Thursday. Considering the quick and aggressive attack that he played in for the Hilltoppers, he was known to be a quick decision-maker. With the field shrinking in Thursday's practice, his processing ability was on full display.
Zappe's best throw came on a corner route to Velus Jones Jr. (Tennessee), when he lofted the ball perfectly toward the back pylon. He remains the most popular option for teams that could be looking for a quarterback in the middle rounds of this draft.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 20
After facing challenges from the rain Wednesday, Pickett -- who went back to wearing gloves on both hands -- had some high moments during the first hour of practice Thursday. He threw the ball cleanly and drove it well, with multiple nice throws during the lead-up to the final 7-on-7 period, which is where things began to go downhill. After throwing into danger, he left a go-ball short that was close to being intercepted by Coby Bryant (Cincinnati). The very next play, the defense was able to cash in on his risky decision-making as Jalen Pitre (Baylor) tipped a ball up into the air and Kerby Joseph (Illinois) made a diving interception.
In my evaluation of Pickett for the day, this was a pivotal moment because it was an opportunity to bounce back after facing some adversity. He went on to throw three consecutive touchdowns. Little psychological angles like that are what scouts look for when measuring the mental toughness of signal-callers.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 34
Howell remained steady Thursday, as his accuracy to all levels of the field stood out. He has unique touch and knows the exact ball speeds to place on his throws, and he showed a great feel for how to drop it into the bucket on fade routes into the endzone. He mixed in some back-shoulder throws to keep the defensive backs off balance Thursday.
With a smooth, over-the-top delivery, Howell showed why his deep accuracy was so sought after in the Tar Heels' scheme. He is the ultimate wild card in this class, and opinions remain mixed on his draft range and how he projects in the NFL.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 21
After a strong Day 2 performance, Willis' third day of practices had some highs and lows. It's clear he possesses the best physical traits and upside of any of the quarterbacks in Mobile, but consistency with his accuracy and knowing which situations require putting touch on the ball are the areas in which he needs to improve.
Willis is even more raw than Josh Allen was as a prospect coming out of Wyoming in 2018, and he will need to go to a team that has an entrenched starter, which forces him to sit and learn as he continues to learn the nuances of the position. I've been impressed the most by Willis of any of the signal-callers, but it's clear he's a long-term project who will need patience and guidance.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 54
With no worries of weather, Strong's passes seemed to have the most velocity of any of the National team quarterbacks Thursday. With scouts straddling the out-of-bounds lines and end zones of the field, many were wowed by the up-close view of his arm talent, but his scattershot accuracy remained his biggest issue.
At his best during the 7-on-7 stage of practice, Strong's top pass of the day came on an out route to Bo Melton (Rutgers), throwing it on a line.
Strong had an up-and-down week, and his ball placement has been the most concerning area. The medical reports around him will be the biggest narrative -- he has had some knee issues -- but the arm strength and quick processing are evident. Surveying scouts about his projected draft range, many want to see how clean the medicals come back, but Round 2 was the feedback I consistently received.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 222
An effortless mover in all parts of the field, White is a one-cut-and-go runner with upside as both a runner and pass catcher. He worked primarily inside of the 15-yard line the entire practice and had multiple runs that would've resulted in a score. He wasted little time with penetrating the first level of the defense and kept his body moving forward into the end zone.
As a receiver during the one-on-one period against the linebackers, White created the loudest gasp of the day from the crowd. Running an angle route against Darrian Beavers (Cincinnati), White crossed Beavers' face and left him in his tracks quickly.
White has the type of skill set that will enable offensive coordinators to run specific routes from various different alignments in formations. That type of versatility could help him become one of the first rushers taken on Day 3 of the draft.
Scouts Inc. ranking: NR
Badie was a late addition before the start of the Senior Bowl, and he made his presence felt. With his best day coming Thursday, he had two explosive plays that stood out. On a screen pass from Pickett, he got lost in the scrum of defensive linemen racing toward the quarterback and reappeared behind a few blockers before accelerating quickly down the right sideline for what would've been a big gain.
Known for his versatility, Badie is a change-of-pace runner who could be a nice addition as a complementary player to a bigger back.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 16
Penning was a thorn in the side of defensive linemen throughout the week, but he faced challenges with adjusting to the speed of the edge rushers here. Two traits have remained constant, though; his physicality and determination to finish defenders have been clear to see.
On Thursday, Penning initiated multiple altercations with defensive lineman because of his effort through the echo of the whistle. He's the type of blocker who hasn't stopped all week, even after the referees signaled to stop the action. That type of effort will be a factor offensive line coaches could covet, and it's apparent why he received first-round grades coming into the event.
A scout from an AFC team mentioned he loves that fiery play because it's "easier to slow an offensive lineman down than to try to preach physicality into him," which is Penning's calling card.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 99
Shakir had his best day of the week and was constantly open. His abilities to generate clean releases and finish through tough catches were noticeable. Although he isn't overly fast, Shakir is a technician as a route runner and understands how to work releases and route stems, and can make tough catches no matter the surroundings.
The best performance of the day came during his streak of catches during the 7-on-7 period of practice. He caught everything that was thrown in his direction. Shakir has the upside of being a high quality WR3 on an NFL team's depth chart, but he could possibly turn into even more after some development.
Angrymesscan
DCC 4Life
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Soooo... Jones or Winfrey in the second...?
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Khalil Shakir is a guy to keep an eye on. We love our Boise State guy and if he is available in say the fourth round he seems like a logical fit to slip right in where Wilson left off. Not big or over the top fast but a mid round guy who I think could be excellent for us. We need good route runners because I think that's where Dak is at his best.
I also am intrigued by Watson. I love 6'4" guys who catch everything. We love running slants and guys like that are virtually impossible for a DB to cover. Plus we don't really have any WR's on the roster who are sort of what I'd call "big" outside of Semi who I don't know if he will get there.
I also am intrigued by Watson. I love 6'4" guys who catch everything. We love running slants and guys like that are virtually impossible for a DB to cover. Plus we don't really have any WR's on the roster who are sort of what I'd call "big" outside of Semi who I don't know if he will get there.
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