The Senior Bowl stays the gold normal of post-college all-star video games. Greater than 100 gamers spent the week in Cell, Alabama, flashing their expertise in hopes of touchdown with an NFL workforce in April’s draft.
For some, it was merely about getting on the radar.
For others, it was about boosting draft inventory and turning into a top-100 decide, a top-50 decide or, within the case of a small handful of gamers, a first-rounder.
You will see and listen to about loads of defensive gamers who stood out all week. That solely reinforces the fact that the 2026 draft class appears robust on the defensive aspect of the ball and skinny on offense. NFL decision-makers are grappling with that imbalance and can proceed to take action all over the draft.
In different phrases, in case your workforce wants offensive assist, do not count on the draft to resolve each want.
Based mostly solely on the three days of follow main as much as Saturday’s Senior Bowl, listed below are the singular standouts at each place, beginning with the protection.
Be aware: Draft projections are courtesy of CBS Sports activities NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson.
DT: Lee Hunter
Draft projection: Spherical 1
There have been a bunch of excellent defensive tackles, however Hunter made an affect each follow as each a run stopper and a move rusher.
At 6-foot-3 and 320 kilos, he is a fluid mover with monumental girth and big-time energy. Not many individuals like him on the planet.
EDGE: Max Llewellyn
Draft projection: Spherical 4
Llewellyn did not make a spectacular splash play like Nadame Tucker, or come into the Senior Bowl with a sky-high pedigree like T.J. Parker.
However the 6-foot-5, 255-pound edge rusher was persistently disruptive. NFL scouts will love his dimension and his capacity to cease the run.
LB Kyle Louis
Draft projection: Spherical 3/4
With all due respect to Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, Louis put collectively a number of nice days. Throughout Thursday’s follow, Louis knocked away a move on the catch level, stripped one other ball earlier than a receiver might safe it, and almost picked off a pre-determined publish route.
The 6-foot, 224-pound linebacker flashed pace closing on the ball and confirmed robust imaginative and prescient, searching for out ball carriers earlier than they obtained by means of the road of scrimmage.
I do not know when he’ll get drafted, however he’ll be a steal when he does.
CB: Colton Hood
Draft projection: Spherical 1
Hood practiced for 2 days and, other than a hiccup towards Tyren Montgomery in one-on-one drills, appeared precisely just like the participant evaluators anticipated: a 6-foot, 188-pound nook who’s massive for his place, quick and sticky with lengthy limbs.
S: Bud Clark
Draft projection: Spherical 3/4
Possibly a bit leaner than scouts would love at 6-foot-1 and 185 kilos, Clark confirmed up and made performs day by day.
He proved he can learn and anticipate a quarterback’s selections, with the very best instance coming when he learn Sawyer Robertson’s actions, chased down a deep ball and caught it earlier than going out of bounds.
From the yard to the large stage: The second is not too massive for Tyren Montgomery on the Senior Bowl
Ryan Wilson
QB: Cole Payton, North Dakota State
Draft projection: Spherical 7/UDFA
Whereas Luke Altmyer and Diego Pavia operated their offenses properly, and Taylen Inexperienced affords tantalizing upside, I believed Payton strung collectively the very best three days of follow of any quarterback there.
The 6-foot-2, 229-pound passer threw with accuracy and anticipation, and he made — or tried to make — a number of off-schedule performs whereas avoiding stress. Payton solely ran a bit, selecting to point out off his arm greater than his legs this week after a dynamic 2025 season with the Bison.
Is he NFL-ready? No, however nobody on the Senior Bowl was. At minimal, Payton ought to be on the radar for groups searching for a toolsy passer with a stable basis to construct from.
RB: Mike Washington Jr.
Draft projection: Spherical 4
No different operating again confirmed the moment acceleration Washington had, as he topped out at 21.02 miles per hour, the quickest among the many RBs. And no different again mixed energy, imaginative and prescient, fingers and pass-protection potential the way in which the 6-foot, 228-pound Washington did.
It will be fascinating to see the place he stacks up among the many operating backs who weren’t in Cell, as a result of he has top-five-in-the-class potential.
WR: Malachi Fields
Draft projection: Spherical 3
The Senior Bowl featured a number of gifted receivers, together with Josh Cameron, Tyren Montgomery and Ted Hurst, however Fields appeared like probably the most full of the bunch.
At 6-foot-4, he was additionally among the many tallest, exhibiting off his high-point capacity nearly day by day. He would not have flashy pace, which you count on from a much bigger receiver, however he runs good routes and displayed the nuance to separate simply sufficient earlier than reeling in receptions.
TE: Tanner Koziol
Draft projection: Spherical 5
The tight ends did not stand out a lot, however Koziol made the play of the day on Thursday and confirmed some good cuts and physicality on Wednesday. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight finish will not win many races, however he’ll come down with loads of touchdowns.
IOL: Jake Slaughter
Draft projection: Spherical 3/4
Slaughter appears like an NFL-ready inside lineman. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound blocker dealt with enterprise all week, not often dropping in drills or in 11-on-11 work.
OT: Max Iheanachor
Draft projection: Spherical 1/2
I am undecided Iheanachor obtained beat even as soon as all week. At 6-foot-6 and 325 kilos, he pairs fast, coordinated fingers and ft with one of many largest our bodies at follow. Better of all, he is younger and nonetheless has room to get higher. I think he goes in Spherical 1.
