It's Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Alabama, and this year's event is stacked with top prospects for the 2022 NFL draft. The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase event that features more than 100 seniors -- and juniors who have graduated -- in the draft class. The players are broken up into two teams, and coaches, scouts and front-office executives from all 32 NFL teams are on hand for a week of best-on-best on-field work. The New York Jets' coaching staff will work with the National team, while the Detroit Lions' staff will have the American team.
We will get to see six of the draft class' top seven quarterbacks this week (Ole Miss' Matt Corral is an underclassman and won't be there), along with potential first-round picks at every position. But the Senior Bowl is also annually an opportunity for the mid-to-late round guys to stand out and rise up the board into the Day 2 conversation. There are three days of practice in Mobile, including 90-minute sessions for each team on Tuesday and two-hour sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. Check out coverage of practice on Wednesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App, and then 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN App. The game is slated for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
So what do you need to know? We looked to four of our NFL draft analysts to break down the top names to watch and what those prospects need to show this week. Todd McShay points to one thing he wants to see from each of the six quarterbacks, and Mel Kiper Jr. explains how other top prospects can stand out to cement their first-round draft stock -- or move into the conversation. Then Jordan Reid and Steve Muench pick 10 sleepers who could put on a show this week and rise up draft boards. Finally, our crew gives us what they're most excited for in Mobile and their biggest predictions for what will happen. Let's dive in.
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QB class | Top prospects | Sleepers
What we're watching | Big predictions
WHAT TO WATCH FOR EACH QUARTERBACK
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (National)
Let's get the hand size stuff out of the way. It's going to be a talking point for Pickett this week. He could have some of the smaller hands we've seen for an early-round QB prospect in quite a while. That matters for ball security, especially in bad weather, and we'll get that cleared up during the weigh-in portion of practices. But once that's behind us, I'm really looking to see how the ball comes out of his hand -- he has pretty good velocity on this throws and a smooth delivery -- and his foot agility in the pocket. Pocket mobility is one of Pickett's best traits. It has been 15 months since I last saw him live, and I'm looking forward to comparing my notes to what I see on the field in Mobile. -- McShay
Editor's note: Pickett ultimately opted not to have his hands measured at the Senior Bowl, so we will wait until the combine for an official measurement.
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (National)
Ridder has 6-foot-4 size, above-average mobility and a hose for an arm. There's so much zip on his throws. But the ball placement continues to be a concern, and I need to see more there to be convinced he's a first-rounder. Ridder gets the ball out on time, and he can drive the ball into tight windows, but the accuracy is just very inconsistent. He will hit one on the run and then inexplicably miss within the strike zone on the next one -- or miss his target altogether. Ridder cut down on mistakes a bit this season (64.9% completion percentage and eight interceptions), but I'd like to see him hit the mark with more consistency this week. -- McShay
Carson Strong, Nevada (National)
Strong looks the part with a 6-foot-4 and 215-pound frame, and he flashes high-end ability as a pocket passer. This will be my first time seeing him live, and I'll be focusing on two main areas: how the ball comes out and what he does under pressure. Strong has plus arm strength and can drive it vertically, but I want to see how much energy is on the ball and how his big arm compares to the other QBs in Mobile. Does he need his whole body to get the ball there, or is it a snap of the wrist? Most importantly, I want to see how he performs when he gets some defenders in his face. Strong hits his spots for the most part with a clean pocket, but pressure forces accuracy woes, and he can't afford to be inaccurate given his marginal escapability. -- McShay
Malik Willis, Liberty (American)
The focus for Willis at the Senior Bowl is going to be his timing on in-pocket throws and his efficiency as a passer. He is outstanding as an off-platform thrower, and he has what I consider the strongest arm in the class, but I want to see him lead receivers into the catch and more consistent touch. It's a really good scouting opportunity, because we will see him bottled up a bit more and forced to make NFL throws with anticipation and time them with the receivers' routes. Willis didn't have the supporting cast that some of these other guys had in college, and sometimes a quarterback can thrive here when he gets wide receivers who can make plays and run under some throws. After spending a lot of time with the QB tape last week, I believe Willis will end up QB1 in this class ahead of Pickett. I'm excited to see if that translates with a more level playing field throughout the week in Mobile. -- McShay
Sam Howell, UNC (American)
Can Howell calm his feet down a bit at the top of his throws? He can be frenzied at the top of his drop, and his feet aren't always married to his eyes when he's going through his progressions. Has he been working on the footwork, and is there an improvement? And then I'll be watching the anticipation throws, where his accuracy dips. At UNC, Howell saw a lot of run-pass options, underneath routes and shot plays. He excelled there, and the touch and trajectory on deep rail and seam shots was excellent. But I want to see him hit targets in between defenders and locate the safety over the top -- the more complex reads that he'll see in the NFL. Those timing routes are key, and I want to see some consistency there this week. -- McShay
Grayson McCall finds and hits a streaking Isaiah Likely for a 99-yard Coastal Carolina touchdown.
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe gets through his progressions quickly and is accurate in the short-to-intermediate range, but his ball velocity is a pretty big concern. The arm strength is just not there. His accuracy drops on the deep shots due to a lack of zip and poor trajectory. There are some floating throws on the deep outs on tape, so we should get a sense this week of how it lines up with other QBs in the class. I'm interested to see what happens on those throws 25-plus yards downfield. -- McShay
OTHER TOP PROSPECTS TO WATCH
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (National)
Penning flat out dominated against inferior competition at the FCS level, so this is going to be a great test for him to compete against potential top-50 prospects. His performance in the one-on-one pass-rush drills will have a major bearing on whether he's still regarded as a big-time left tackle prospect or will have to shift to right tackle at the pro level. The 6-foot-7, 321-pound Penning has a fiery and aggressive mentality, and he'll need that in pass-rush drills. I put him at No. 25 in my debut mock draft; let's see if he can live up to that spot in practices. -- Kiper
Arnold Ebiketie, OLB, Penn State (National)
I recently put Ebiketie at No. 18 in my updated Big Board -- I think I'm higher on him than McShay -- but he's one of the best edge rushers in this class, and NFL teams crave guys who can get to the quarterback. At 6-foot-3, 256 pounds, he has some explosive traits and versatility; he could play with his hand on the ground in a 4-3 defense or stand up and play 3-4 outside linebacker. The Temple transfer had 9.5 sacks in his lone season with the Nittany Lions, showing improvement in all aspects of his game. I'm excited to see what he can do in one-on-one drills. -- Kiper
Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State (American)
Thomas is a borderline top-25 guy in my rankings. He plays with energy and tenacity, and I never saw him take plays off. At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, he played a ton of snaps at both end and defensive tackle, so the scheme versatility is a plus. He finished 2021 with 11.5 sacks and 27 total tackles for loss. If Thomas turns heads in Mobile, he will solidify his spot as one of the top D-linemen in the draft, potentially moving into the top 20. -- Kiper
Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State (American)
Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida State last year and put up huge numbers, with 12 sacks and 70 tackles. He showed advanced pass-rush skills, and at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he has the size and strength to hold his own in the run game. He is my sixth-ranked defensive end -- right behind Thomas -- and right now I see him as a Round 2 pick. Johnson has a chance to move up if he can put on a show in pass-rush drills, though, and I know scouts will be watching him closely. -- Kiper
Logan Hall, DL, Houston (National)
Hall really came on in 2021, becoming a more disruptive pass-rusher and penetrating into the backfield against the run. He finished with six sacks and 15 total tackles for loss. The question for NFL scouts will be: Where does Hall play at the next level? At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, he's kind of a tweener between a 3-4 defensive end and a 4-3 defensive tackle. He's my third-ranked tackle for now -- I think he could play as a 3-technique penetrator -- but we'll learn a lot this week. -- Kiper
SLEEPER PROSPECTS WHO COULD RISE
Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis (American)
Austin is undersized at 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, but the former walk-on and track team sprinter is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He has the second gear to pull away from pursuit as a ball carrier, after the catch and in the return game. Austin's not just fast, either; he also has the quick feet to get off press coverage. He flashes as a route runner, and he's coming off consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Don't be surprised to see Austin shine in one-on-ones and ultimately go late-second or early-third round. -- Muench
Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 173
Despite only 100 carries last season, Pierce recorded a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns. He is a strong and decisive runner who's 215-pound frame shows up frequently as a runner. The limited workload this past season could work in his favor, too -- he enters the draft with plenty of tread still on the tires. During his career with the Gators, Pierce showed that he can operate from multiple pre-snap alignments and is a system-proof runner who can succeed in a zone scheme or with man/gap blocking principles. He is likely a third- or fourth-round pick in April. -- Reid
Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina (American)
Likely ranked second in receiving yards per game (70.2) and touchdown catches (12) for FBS tight ends this year, and his ability to produce after the catch might be his greatest strength. He's a smooth and instinctive open-field runner who flashes as a route runner. His versatility presents matchup problems, and he has the ability to make spectacular catches. Likely should get drafted on Day 2 and has a chance to be the third tight end drafted (behind Trey McBride and Jalen Wydermyer). -- Muench
Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 187
I've had Williams circled as a draft sleeper since I started studying his game last summer. He lived up to the hype last season, finishing his redshirt junior campaign with three interceptions -- including two pick-sixes. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, he's long and rangy. He's a fearless tackler, and he has experience in both man and zone coverage. Two seasons ago, Kyle Dugger was a standout Division II defensive back at the Senior Bowl who helped himself during the lead up to the draft, and Williams -- currently a Day 3 prospect -- could be another who boosts his stock in a similar fashion. -- Reid
Cole Strange, C/G, Chattanooga (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 100
Strange is a relentless scheme-versatile run blocker who started 44 games at Tennessee-Chattanooga. He is smooth getting set and has a strong punch in pass pro. He primarily lined up at guard in college, but he also saw time at center and left tackle. (Strange is expected to play center this week.) He has the tools to develop into a starter early in his career, making him a good Day 2 prospect. -- Muench
Esezi Otomewo, DE, Minnesota (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 181
While studying teammate Boye Mafe, Otomewo continued to stand out for me on tape. His 6-foot-6 and 285-pound frame is NFL-ready and is likely better suited for a 3-4 scheme. As a 4-technique, the Minnesota edge rusher has the length and strength necessary to be an early contributor during his rookie season. Someone within the program told me, "The production wasn't always there, but he's a dependable player" -- and that shows up on tape. The Gophers' season-opener against Ohio State was one of his best performances, and he finished strong with two sacks in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against West Virginia. Otomewo is a midround prospect. -- Reid
Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA (American)
Woolen moved from receiver to cornerback late in the 2019 season and missed four games with injury in 2021. But he has the 6-foot-4 size, toughness and speed to excel in either press- or zone-heavy schemes. Woolen intercepted just two passes over the past two seasons, and playing the ball well this week would help boost his stock. He is long and shows the ability to reach in to break up passes without getting flagged. If Woolen plays well this week, he'll be in the second-round mix. -- Muench
Travis Jones, DT, UConn (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
All-star contests aren't really the type of events where nose tackles normally stand out. But the 6-foot-3 and 330-pound 0-technique's value will probably be seen during the 11-on-11 team portions of practices. A wide-bodied player at the point of attack, Jones is a sturdy run defender who can clog the 'A' gaps. And as evidenced by 4.5 sacks last season, he also has some value as a pass-rusher, but he will need to continue to develop to be seen as an asset on passing downs. Even though it wasn't visible in the box score, Jones' performance in November against Clemson provided a snapshot of what he could become on the next level. He could sneak into the Day 2 conversation. -- Reid
Dominique Robinson, OLB, Miami-OH (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 107
Robinson is a great example of the Senior Bowl staff's ability to find talent. He is a former receiver who played 15 games on defense and ranked sixth on his team in tackles for loss in 2021 (11). You can see what caught their attention on tape. He has the burst, bend and change of direction to develop into a disruptive pass-rusher. Robinson is an early Day 3 pick with the potential to move into the Day 2 conversation -- and continuing to make strides as a hand fighter would help his cause. -- Muench
Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (National)
A do-it-all player in the Broncos' offense, Shakir is a smooth and polished perimeter threat. He's a calculated route runner who understands how to attack and win against man coverage, but he also has a high awareness level and knows how to find the open spots against zone looks. At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Shakir isn't a big receiver, but his well-rounded skill set should translate well to the next level. I think he is a third- or fourth-round pick. -- Reid
BIG QUESTIONS
Who -- or what -- are you most excited to see at the Senior Bowl?
McShay: This is a tremendous defensive line class at the Senior Bowl, with probably eight or nine edge rushers -- including Penn State's Arnold Ebiketie and San Diego State's Cameron Thomas -- who could go in the top 64 picks in April. It's usually pretty obvious who belongs by the end of Wednesday's practice, so who will stand out? Who has the body control in the loop drills, and who shows the most explosion when working with the bags? Who has the best footwork in the ropes? And of course, who proves dominant in the one-on-one drills with offensive linemen?
I was also excited to see Houston corner/returner Marcus Jones and his blazing speed, but with him dropping out this week, my attention is turning to Tariq Woolen, whom Steve mentioned as a sleeper. The UTSA corner's technique has improved, and I think he could run in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
Muench: I'm excited to watch these FCS offensive linemen. Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning and interior lineman Cole Strange (Chattanooga) headline a list of six FCS linemen expected to be in Mobile. Offensive tackles Matt Waletzko (North Dakota), Nick Zakelj (Fordham) and Braxton Jones (Southern Utah) all have the talent to develop into starters and could move into the Day 2 range with strong showings. Southern offensive tackle J'Atyre Carter earned a late invite, and it will be interesting to see if he plays some guard, where he may be a better fit.
Kiper: Todd and Steve mentioned the edge rushers and offensive tackles, and I look at the one-on-one pass-rush drills between those two positions as the most important part of the entire week. That's where you can see who's legit and who's not ready for prime time. Will Penning excel against all of the Power 5 pass-rushers? How much explosion does Thomas have against tackles? My rankings could shuffle based on who stands out here.
Reid: The battle of the QBs will be the talk of the Senior Bowl. For the first time since 2018, when Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen battled in Mobile, this year's event will go a long way toward determining the QB1 conversation. With Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), Malik Willis (Liberty), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Sam Howell (UNC) and Carson Strong (Nevada) set to compete, all eyes will be on the signal-callers. But don't forget about Western Kentucky's Bailey Zappe. He could turn some heads.
Give us one prediction for Senior Bowl week
McShay: UNC quarterback Sam Howell will begin his ascent back up draft boards. This is a really good format for him to showcase his deep-ball accuracy and arm strength. Look for him to impress coaching staffs and show he can make the NFL-level throws. Howell has the tools, and the mechanics can be ironed out. If he stands out, the buzz will come. And as a bonus, I think Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma will leave his mark. He's under the radar right now, but he flies around the field and is a great tackler. No one is really talking about him, but I think Muma could be a second-round pick.
Muench: I'm already on record saying that this tight end class has a chance to be historic. So I think that group stands out this week. Colorado State's Trey McBride gets his chance to convince teams he's worth taking in the first round. Coastal Carolina's Isaiah Likely, Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert, Iowa State's Charlie Kolar and Nevada 's Cole Turner all have Day 2 grades and the potential to develop into No. 1 or No. 2 tight ends early in their careers. UCLA's Greg Dulcich, SMU's Grant Calcaterra and San Diego State's Daniel Bellinger should be excellent Day 3 values.
Kiper: Remember the name Max Mitchell. The 6-foot-6 Louisiana offensive tackle really impressed in 2021, and I love his tape. My prediction is that he performs well against the big names in Mobile and cements himself in the Round 2 discussion for April's draft.
Reid: After a strong three days of practices, Malik Willis will create even more intrigue with the QB1 race. The Liberty QB's arm strength will shine, and his accuracy will improve throughout the week as he looks competent handling an NFL playbook and reads despite an unfamiliar surrounding cast. Multiple scouts I have spoken to believe he has the highest ceiling and most high-end traits of any of the signal-callers in this class, but patience will be needed. He's still a raw prospect, but the upside could persuade a team into selecting him in the first round. A good showing during the week will help him tremendously, and yes, he could even end up the first QB drafted.