5 Senior Bowl standouts increased NFL Draft stock this week

Senior Bowl week is a crucial part of the offseason for NFL teams. Here are five prospects who greatly increased their NFL Draft stock this week. 

The NFL Draft starts in Mobile. That’s the slogan for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and it really holds some truth to it. The best seniors from around the country come together on the field to put their talents on display for the most important audience they will play for: coaches and general managers of the teams that will be selecting them in April.

The 2022 NFL Draft isn’t rich with talent at the top of the class, but it’s pretty deep at numerous positions. Thankfully, the Senior Bowl is here to help separate the top talent from the rest of the group. Here are the five most exceptional players from Senior Bowl practices so far:

EDGE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

Jermaine Johnson has arguably been the best player at the Senior Bowl this year, regardless of position. Johnson has prototypical size and length for the edge rusher position. While he can be a bit still in his movements, he has shown an innate ability to convert speed to power at the Senior Bowl. The talented Florida State defender has won most of his one-on-one reps during practice — usually making the opposing offensive tackle look silly.

OG Zion Johnson, Boston College

The offensive lineman at the 2022 Senio Bowl haven’t been particularly impressive, but Zion Johnson has been a cut above the rest. While he doesn’t really have one defining trait, Johnson is very well-rounded. He’s proven to be sturdy enough to hold up in pass protection and mobile enough to get out in space in the run game. Johnson has been the most consistent offensive lineman in Mobile this year and has likely elevated himself to a first-round grade by most teams.

QB Malik Willis, Liberty

Malik Willis was very inconsistent during the 2021 college football season, but the Liberty quarterback has easily been the best of the group so far at the Senior Bowl. Willis has tools that are on a different level as the other QBs in Mobile this year, and it’s evident when you put on the tape. Willis probably needs some time to sit and develop, but he’s done enough at the Senior Bowl to be considered the QB1 in the 2022 NFL Draft.

DT Devonte Wyatt

Devonte Wyatt is the lesser-known defensive tackle at Georgia, as it’s Jordan Davis who typically hogs the spotlight. While much smaller than Davis (6’2 1/2”, 307 lbs), Wyatt is significantly quicker and could be a quality penetrating 3-technique in the NFL (ala Javon Hargrave). Wyatt has easily been one of the biggest standouts in OL vs DL drills this year in Mobile, Alabama.

DT Logan Hall, Houston

Logan Hall has perhaps been the flashiest player on film during 2022 Senior Bowl practices. Though from a smaller program in Houston, Hall has remarkable physical gifts and incredible length as an interior pass rusher (6’5 1/2” with 33 3/8” arms and an 80 1/4” wingspan). In Mobile, Hall has showcased a lightning first step and offensive linemen have not been able to stay in front of him. He really made himself some money with his performance during practice.

There are plenty of other names worth mentioning at the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl, but these five players probably did the most for the NFL Draft stock thanks to some dominating performances in Mobile.