If one was to head down to Mobile, Alabama this weekend, you would see some of the top talent in this years NFL draft class suit up and play. Players such as Alabama’s Reggie Ragland and LSU’s Vadal Alexander are for sure names to hear their names called early in Chicago.
However, the Senior Bowl is also a time for players who are looking to boost their draft stock in order to hear their names called sometime between the 1st and 7th round come April. This is a team where all 32 teams sit down and look at the talent before them. For some of these players, it’s a final dress rehearsal before hearing they will be going to the big time or rather be just an understudy.
While some names on this list will for sure be called, when is the issue. Their draft stock will only rise from a day 3 pick to a top 15 talent if they impress. Other names are just lucky to be in Mobile and they hope to make it out of being an undrafted free agent to a late round, last chance pick. So with all that in mind, let’s look at the top 10 players at the Senior who must impress, for better or for worse.
1. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.
By now about every one and their mother has heard of the name Carson Wentz. Wentz threw 45 touchdowns during his time as the Bison quarterback while also picking up two championships at the FCS level. That also plays into the picture with scouts when trying to find a draft grade with Wentz .
The last time an FCS quarterback was taken in the first round was 2008 when the Ravens took a chance on now Superbowl winning QB Joe Flacco. Wentz is expected to have a better arm than most quarterbacks in this years class. If he can impress Saturday in both arm strength and accuracy, he’ll solidify himself a top 15 player in this years class.
2. Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas
Brandon Allen was a starter for three seasons for the Razorbacks and while he wasn’t an elite quarterback in the slightest, he was the top player on the Razorback offense. In his senior season, Allen threw for 30 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, two games in which he threw for over five touchdowns.
Allen’s background may put teams on the fence when drafting him. Not the most athletic quarterback, Allen has the confidence to play like he’s the best player in Mobile. If Allen can stay in the pocket and make the proper throws, he should be able to at least get his name out there in front of the scouts.
3. Eric Striker, OLB, Oklahoma
Eric Striker is most remembered for his sophomore season when he was able to stop Alabama’s AJ McCarron from being able to throw the ball to his top receivers. Since then, Striker has played consistent, especially in the run game off the edge. With some of the top players in this year’s draft class being edge rusher, Striker needs to show off his speed to make it into the day 2 catagory. While his size may come into play (5’11,210), his speed off the edge to get into the backfield will be his key of making it into the top 100 players. If Striker can get past the tackles and into the backfield, not only will the quarterback be in trouble, but scouts will be impressed.
4. Jake Coker, QB, Alabama
It has been a memorable year for Alabama quarterback Jake Coker. Not only did he go 14-0 as the starting quarterback, Coker impressed in both the Cotton Bowl and National Championship through the air. Coker threw for 641 yards and four touchdowns while having a completion percentage of 70%.
Coker when joining the Crimson Tide was known for his arm strength but never really showed it off while in a Crimson Tide uniform. While he stands and looks the part of a pocket-passing quarterback, his arm strength will need to be in full force in his hometown come Saturday. While accuracy is a slight issue, if Coker can prove he can throw the ball consistently 40+ yards, he may just find himself ranked outside the top five QB’s in this year’s draft class.
5. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
Another top 50 player and defensive guru is Duke safety Jeremy Cash. Cash was the star of the Blue Devils defense, making 101 tackles on top of forcing three fumbles. While not a for sure first round pick, scouts are saying Cash is the best Duke defensive prospect they have seen in nearly 30 years.
A versatile, yet hard hitting safety, Cash is expected to work at both safety positions as well as a nickel corner in Mobile. A run stopper first, Cash needs to show off a mix of both speed and strength in order to put his name into first round talent. Multiple teams in the 20-30 range will be looking at defensive back help, Cash can solidify himself as the top safety prospect with a good day in both coverage and down-field attacking.
6. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
Kenneth Dixon isn’t a name that really pops off the page with a list of some of this years running backs, but make no mistake that this kid is talented. Dixon recorded 4,480 rushing yards and 87 touchdowns in his four years down in Ruston. A built for the trenches body with great vision, Dixon is your prototypical third down back that any team would be lucky to have.
For him, Dixon must show he’s much more than just a third down back. Playing for the North, he truly is the teams main rusher and will have to get through the defensive front seven the South has waiting for him. If he could get into the secondary and then show off his vision and quickness to change direction, Dixon could be a top three running back in this year’s draft class.
7. Darian Thompson, S, Boise St.
Like Cash, Darian Thompson is another safety prospect who by default is one of the top at his position. A free safety who made collected 19 interceptions in three years as a starter, Thompson has a mix of strong hands and the ability to fly to the ball even when he is no where near it.
That is both a curse and a blessing when in coverage. His high-tempo brain sometimes can help him make key plays to jump on the ball but also it could hurt him by overshooting a player in both coverage and when making a tackle. If Thompson wants to be a grade 1 talent, he needs to remain calm in coverage and disciplined when making plays. If he can do that, he’ll be hearing his name called near the end of the first round or the beginning of the 2nd.
8. Jack Allen, C, Michigan St.
Offensive lineman are one of the more popular players to draft in recent history and this season shouldn’t be any different. Jack Allen was one of two Michigan St. who was a 1st team All-American in 2015. A tough as nails blue collar center, Allen is ranked as one of the top centers in 2015.
Allen’s issue is single man blocking. When standing alone against a defensive tackle Allen was perceived “slow off the line”, especially in last year’s Cotton Bowl. Allen will still be drafted at some point in April but if he wants to solidify himself as a top offensive player, making sure players like Jarran Reed and Sheldon Rankins don’t get immediately into the backfield.
9. Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
If you didn't grow up in the SEC or at least truly followed Alabama, Kenyan Drake isn't a household name that many people know. However, he's been a key factor of the Alabama offense for the past four season. After being pushed down the depth chart due to players such as Eddie Lacy, TJ Yeldon and now Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, Drake still was a key factor in the passing game and in the kick return.
Drake's versatility makes him a commodity for an NFL team. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and be a solid number two back makes him somewhat a switch army knife player. However, Drake has had multiple injuires over the past two season on both his upper and lower body. He will need to show scouts that those injuries haven't really effected his career in the long run. If he can stay healthy and on the field, his sheer athleticism will stick out come Saturday.
10. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio St.
There’s no player under the most scrutiny this week than former Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller to impress down in Mobile this week. While not the best season as a receiver, Miller caught 26 balls for 341 yards with three touchdowns. Miller’s speed allowed him to make the easy transition from quarterback to h-back/receiver.
Miller is an athlete, plain and simple. You could line him up in any position on the field and more than likely he will be able to play like a 10 vet. This past week, Miller has worked at both inside and outside receiver and has impressed. If he can do what he did in practice in the game Saturday, scouts who are already impressed with the former quarterback will certainly be looking to call his name sometime early on day 2.
