MOBILE, Ala — The Senior Bowl got underway in Mobile on Wednesday, and plenty of guys stuck out in a good way, while others have some work to do as they finish the week out. Who are the guys that are the winners and losers from Day 2?
Winner: Explosive Defenisve Linemen
One thing that stands out about this week thus far is that the explosive defensive linemen are having themselves a week. Keeanu Benton continues his ascent up draft boards with another strong day after burying opposing offensive linemen into the dirt. Bowling Green defensive lineman Karl Brooks has lined up anywhere from a 1-technique to a 7-technique, and yet he wins from various alignments.
The biggest bounce-back performance? How about Northwestern’s Ada Adebawore, who bulldozed through his competition on the second day of practices. His frame is stout, but it is perfectly tailor-made for the modern NFL, and he has good enough length to make guys comfortable with power rushes.
Loser: Star Wide Receivers
Over the past few years, it always feels like we have someone who steps up to grab the top receiver spot. However, this year it feels like that player is not here. Do not get me wrong, Tank Dell, Jayden Reed, and others have had good weeks. But none of them have just completely dominated the week in a way that captivates the entire stadium. At the Senior Bowl in 2023, there are good receivers, but there might not be a star amongst this crop.
That is fine, we are learning that there is much more depth to this class than maybe I originally anticipated. However, I am just unsure of that game-changer being at the Senior Bowl, and for my money, there might not be a guy like that in the entire class.
Winner: Cody Mauch
When a lineman works at center and guard on back-to-back days with no prior experience and absolutely crushes it, consider my ears perked up. Cody Mauch has plenty to gain from his week in Mobile, and he is capitalizing on it, proving that he has strong hands and versatility that will make him desirable for plenty of teams across the NFL.
Mauch just recently started working at center on his own time, but the tackle is likely to become a guard at the next level. If he can turn center into something he works with as well, Mauch has the potential to have the ever-elusive all-five position versatility. For him, that’s a massive stock boost.
Loser: Injuries
There is an absurd amount of injuries beginning to pile up. From Puka Nacua to Dawand Jones to Tyrique Stevenson, multiple players continue to come up injured during the Senior Bowl practices, and it is forcing the Senior Bowl to consistently refresh and turnover their rosters throughout the week.
For an event all about boosting your draft stock, availability is the best ability, and it feels like the injury bug is in full force this season. It gives more guys the option to get in front of the NFL, but some of the big-ticket names are being hit this time around.
Winner: Depth
I say this just across the field of play. This is a really, really deep group. I’m not sure there is a star here, and there legitimately might only be one or two first-rounders in Mobile. However, the depth of this group is impressive, and I am willing to bet that most of these guys get drafted.
If teams came here wanting to find their first-round draft pick, they probably won’t be too excited. But they should be enthused to see some of the depth showing out in Mobile this week.