7 Senior Bowl prospects who can increase NFL Draft inventory in Cell

It’s probably the most fantastic time of the yr, people.

That’s proper, draft season is shortly approaching and we’ve hit Senior Bowl week. One of many premier stops on the highway to the 2025 NFL Draft, the weeklong occasion in Cell offers guys a giant likelihood to boost their draft inventory and enhance their possibilities of getting drafted early. New York Jets EDGE Will McDonald IV performed very well and used that week to finish up getting drafted within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft. We’ve seen standouts like Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie CB Quinyon Mitchell and Los Angeles Chargers WR Ladd McConkey do very well in Cell, which immediately translated to the NFL stage.

This yr there are a number of actually enjoyable prospects, particularly up entrance within the trenchers and within the secondary. In a loaded class within the non-premier positions, an occasion just like the Senior Bowl may help launch guys into the earliest rounds of the draft. Listed below are seven guys who may see their inventory soar in Cell.

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

The Seminoles have been completely horrible final season, so I’m not shocked Thomas is getting the late push. Nevertheless, he has the athletic instruments and ball expertise to be a standout nook within the NFL. FSU has put good secondary gamers within the NFL not too long ago with Renardo Inexperienced starring for the San Francisco 49ers and Jarrian Jones enjoying very well in Jacksonville, and Thomas is likely to be the most effective of the bunch. Thomas combines size (Senior Bowl listed him at 6’2 and 194 kilos) and spectacular ball expertise to thrive in press man protection. The NFL loves athletes who can thrive on an island, and Thomas has all the skill to on the subsequent stage. If he can show his slighter body can survive on the skin, we’ve seen DBs completely take over the week in Cell.

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

I used to be actually excessive on Walker coming into this faculty soccer season, as he combines a MASSIVE body (6’7, 353 kilos) with some fast ft and a powerful spin transfer from the DT spot. Nevertheless, there have been video games on tape this season the place he form of simply…vanished. I’ve some worries about his smaller decrease physique and his consistency, however he has all of the instruments to completely dominate in Cell. He has the facility to be an element towards the go, but additionally the foot quickness to have an effect on video games laterally. Walker has fallen down the draft boards in a loaded defensive deal with class, however can take again a few of that spotlight in Cell.

Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

Did I inform you this defensive deal with class is loaded? There’s likelihood a few of these guys fall to Day 2 and find yourself being steals. I really feel that manner about Norman-Lott, who is likely to be just a little restricted in his position however is outstanding at what he does. First off, he’s received juice on the inside. He has such an explosive and fast first step that he makes use of to sidestep offensive linemen, and makes use of his arms very well within the passing sport. The place I’m a bit involved is within the run sport, the place he doesn’t actually anchor, he’s extra of a niche shooter. Nevertheless, he’s constructed to win the 1 on 1’s in Cell. Anticipate to see him pop up in your social media feeds all week.

Gray Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

I’m a giant fan of Zabel’s sport. He is likely to be match for a transfer inside to protect or heart on the subsequent stage, however there’s no denying his athletic instruments. At 6’5 and 304 kilos, he exhibits a number of quickness to get to the perimeter, and all the time needs to complete his blocks. In Cell, I wish to see if he can anchor towards the hulking defensive tackles that the Senior Bowl attracted. He’s going to go on Day 2, however week in Cell may see his inventory soar.

Keondre Jackson, S, Illinois State

Placing Jackson down as a security is likely to be a mistake, as a result of he’s practising with the linebackers in Cell this week. Nevertheless, Jackson goes to be somebody I maintain my eye on. He’s an outstanding athlete who has no regard for human life as a tackler. We’ve seen small faculty safeties come to Cell and dominate at LB (Marte Mapu involves thoughts), and if Jackson can show he can hold towards the backs and tight ends in protection he may get drafted.

Devin Neal, RB, Kansas

Devin Neal is a delight to look at play soccer. He’s such a shifty again with gentle ft, however sufficient energy behind his pads to thrive between the tackles. I additionally suppose this season he had some good explosive runs, that confirmed off his lengthy pace. In Cell, I’m curious to see if he can add to the passing sport. He had 25 receptions this season in Lawrence, but when he can constantly be an choice on passing downs as a receiver or blocker, he may flip a number of heads. This RB class can be stacked, however Neal has the chance to indicate up in a giant manner.

David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas

Philadelphia Eagles’ EDGE Jalyx Hunt had a strong week in Cell and it helped him get drafted within the third spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Houston Christian. This yr’s small faculty EDGE who can stand out is David Walker from Central Arkansas. He’s constructed like an NFL EDGE at 6’2 and 260 kilos, and arguably has a few of the finest conversion of pace to energy within the EDGE class. We’ve seen go rushers who win with energy thrive immediately within the NFL, and I’m not saying Walker is similar caliber participant, but when he can generate some pressure towards Energy 4 tackles on the Senior Bowl he’ll go lots increased than you suppose.