Super Bowl 58 is a big game for two NFL teams. Senior Bowl is a massive week for all 32 teams. Once again, the practices leading up to Saturday’s annual post college all-star game in Mobile, Ala. shed led on just how good many pro prospects three months ahead of the 2024 draft.
The Senior Bowl used to be for only seniors, but as it’s become a showcase for other upperclassmen, it’s taken greater importance as the unofficial kickoff for the league’s pre-draft process, well ahead of the NFL Combine and pro days.
Here’s taking stock of what players helped themselves most and which might face a slide down boards based on their practice performance over three days:
MORE DRAFT: SN’s latest mock | Updated top 100 rankings
Senior Bowl risers for 2024 NFL Draft
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 21 overall
Penix wasn’t necessarily spectacular with his overall reviews, but he didn’t need to be. He just kept showing his big, strong arm along with good deep accuracy that led the Huskies to the CFP title game. He solidified his standing as a first-rounder.
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 57 overall
Rice came in with little question about his hands, burst and quickness. The son of GOAT Jerry Rice, with his father in attendance, came through using his size better (6-3, 217) for improved route-running and body position.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 55 overall
McConkey came in with smooth reliable hands and didn’t let up there while also showing great quickness and decisiveness in his route running. He proved just how savvy he is to overwork cornerbacks and get open consistently.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, G, Oregon
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 60 overall
Powers-Johnson lived up to the first half of his hyphenated last name and much more, with smooth athleticism, quick feet and balance to go with his strong, physical blocking. Given he can start at either guard or cente right away, he should go up well into the second round, with an outside at the first before the process is done.
Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: Not in top 100
Go figure that Powers-Johnson and Hall both boosted their stock going after each other in drills. There was a question as to where Hall fits best on a defensive line but that was answered with his suddenness and quickness inside, suggesting some good pass-rush juice. Hall was a tough ‘tweener to evaluate but now belongs in strong Day 2 (second- and third-round) consideration.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 44 overall
Mitchell was tested in practice all in coverage and he kept making big plays staying with receivers tight, either when running deep or in the slot. He is creeping into the first-round conversation at a loaded position early.
Senior Bowl fallers for 2024 NFL Draft
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 25 overall
Perhaps there was high expectation, given Nix’s accuracy and arm combination from the Ducks, that would be sharp consistently. But there was a clear feeling of discomfort working with new targets and in relation to that, missed connections with poor throws. Nix rebounded later in the week but in a tight QB race for coverage first-round selections, he did slip a little.
Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: Not in top 100
Hartman showed some moxie with his passing and running in Mobile, which wasn’t unexpected based on his makeup while leading the Fighting Irish. Unfortunately, his play was inconsistent and more bark than bite. He can still be a solid NFL backup, but now an upside option such as South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler is looking more appealing later in the drat.
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 47
Legette has great size (6-3, 227 pounds) with speed, but the issues with consistency in catching the ball and route-running were on display right away. He has some Puka Nacua qualities but he’s at the moment fighting not to be a boom-or-bust Gabe Davis type.
Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 53
Walker was another speed-quickness receiver who struggled to show a complete game in Mobile with route-running and separation becoming issues vs. tougher corners. A team will need to be patient with him aft first while using him as a specialized big-play threat.
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 41
Guyton is polarizing as a prospect because when looking his natural tools of power and explosiveness, his pass protection upside is clear. But also showed that he needs more work to be polished with the finer aspects of blocking.
McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
SN Draft pre-Senior Bowl ranking: No. 76
Jackson is a sturdy nose but he got pushed around a little in blocking drills and he also paled in comparison to Hall and Texas’ T’Vondre Swift standing out so much. Like Guyton, he pops with talent but it will take some refinement to be more than a rotational defensive option.
