NFL Draft Stock Watch: Senior Bowl Risers and Fallers

By / Devy & College Football, Dynasty, NFL / Leave a Comment
Senior Bowl, The League Winners

After an eventful week of Senior Bowl practices, there are some key players whose stock has risen and fallen

The NFL Draft starts in Mobile! Well, at least the major hype surrounding it.

As usual, the premier college all-star game brought an eventful week of practices that showcased some of college football’s best draft prospects. The practices were competitive, eventful, and fun to watch.

Most importantly, though, the practices gave some insight into the rise and fall of some draft prospects. Whether you are interested in players for your favorite team, trying to get an edge for your dynasty league, or just are a draft fanatic, determining the “stock” of players is an essential aspect of draft season.

Up first are the players who elevated their draft stock in Mobile, otherwise known as the “risers.”

Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

Out of all players at the Senior Bowl, wide receivers are the main position that can solidify, boost, or, unfortunately, lower their stock. The spotlight tends to be on them the most, creating massive opportunities for success or failure.

One player who fell into the positive end of the spectrum was Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson.

Coming from a championship-winning University of Michigan program that rarely utilized the passing game, Wilson was an under-the-radar prospect coming into Mobile. When Michigan threw his way, he was always a factor, but the lack of substantial target value did no favors for his stock.

Facing some of the best defensive competition at the Senior Bowl, Wilson did not disappoint.

Wilson displayed upper-level route-running ability, winning in multiple areas of the field. Whether it was quickness in the short area or speed to get open down the field, the Michigan wide receiver was able to accomplish it.

More impressive were the hands that Wilson showed throughout the week. In an event that saw plenty of receivers struggle with drops, Wilson was surehanded and reliable for any quarterback who threw his way. This stood out the most in his rep against fellow Senior Bowl standout Quinyon Mitchell; after decisively winning his route, Wilson made an unbelievable one-handed catch to finish practice.

While not in the upper echelon of the 2024 receiver class, Wilson has solidified himself as a player who will be picked in the first half of the draft. The Michigan product looks to be a coveted second-round prospect and, depending on where he lands, could be an instant contributor in the NFL and fantasy.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

Outside of the talented Wilson, Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was another player who significantly boosted his draft stock. At 6 feet and 193 pounds, Pearsall is a route-running savant who can make tough catches that are necessary at the NFL level.

During Senior Bowl practices, the Florida product showcased his known traits to the full extent. Pearsall showed off an impressive ability to separate against any type of cornerback and from multiple positions on the field. Pearsall won his routes in every way, shape, and form, whether on the outside or in the slot.

Most impressively, Pearsall was able to finish plays at the deeper levels of the field, which is not a given due to his size. He made contested catches after winning deep downfield, running stride-for-stride with the defender, or when the quarterback underthrew the ball.

Pearsall may not be in the round one discussion, but he is all but solidified to be selected in a similar range to the aforementioned Wilson. With his savvy route running and high-level ability to catch the ball, Pearsall looks to be another instant contributor in a draft class full of them at the wide receiver position.

Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky

While not a premier event for running backs, Kentucky’s Ray Davis was able to boost his stock from his time in Mobile.

Davis is very compact, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing around 220 pounds. With this frame, the running back is able to play with strength and get downhill fats in the running game. He also has good short-area burst and quickness, allowing him to be a reliable runner.

In Mobile, Davis solidified that he can be more than just a runner with his frame.

The Kentucky product showed off some pass-catching prowess, highlighted by a leaping one-handed grab during drill work. Davis also scored another touchdown during a red-zone period that came on a shoe-string catch.

In the modern-day NFL, versatility is king at the running back position. Players who can contribute in a variety of ways are valued highly and get on the field earlier.

If the past week in Mobile was any indication, Davis could be a multi-faceted weapon out of the backfield on a professional roster. His skill in the rushing game and developing catching ability will not only boost his stock in NFL Draft circles but also put him firmly on the radar of intelligent fantasy football players.

Stock Down

Every player cannot be a “riser,” though. Up next are some players whose stock may have taken a hit in Mobile.

Devontez Walker, WR, UNC

Heading into the week, Devontez Walker from UNC had some high expectations. With above-average size and speed, the wideout was getting first-round buzz and expectations.

However, that buzz is gone, for now, after Walker’s performance in Mobile.

The UNC product struggled to separate consistently from the physical cornerbacks at the Senior Bowl, despite his taller frame and prior ability he showed on tape in college.

More importantly, Walker had a massive issue with drops at the Senior Bowl. The wide receiver had multiple during practices, even when his long speed and athleticism got him open down the field. His tough week was capped off in-game action, where a bomb of a throw from former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix was dropped.

Walker still has tremendous athletic gifts and abilities that can allow him to make spectacular plays deep down the field. But with a major case of the drops and inconsistent separation, the UNC product looks like more of a later day two selection instead of a first-round pick. A big combine could help his case, but a bad week in Mobile has dropped Walker down the draft boards.

Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

While having a solid week of practice, Legette makes the stock-down portion of the list for a different reason.

Before the start of the Senior Bowl, Legette was listed at 6-feet-3-inches on the South Carolina Football team’s website. Combined with his athleticism, speed, and ball skills, the wide receiver was starting to gain some steam as a mother potential round-one wide receiver.

Flash-forward to the measurables in Mobile, and the Legette hype train began to lose some steam. The South Carolina product and native measured in at 6-feet-1-inch, a full two inches shorter than his listed height. He also had a smaller wingspan and hand size than expected.

The lower-than-expected measurables should not detract from Legette’s entire week of production. The receiver showed off some great route-running and made some great contested catches, building upon what the college tape showed him could do.

When it comes to a full picture of a player’s stock, however, there are other factors that can influence the rise and fall of it. Unfortunately for Legette, his stock took a decent hit due to the lower measurables than expected. He has plenty of time to make up for it, specifically at the NFL Combine,Ā  but the reality is that the extremely high expectations not being met will affect Legette’s current draft stock.

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