The Senior Bowl is a tremendous tool for graduating players to get their first taste of NFL coaching and prove to scouts and coaches that they should be selected. The week features workouts, drills and the game on Saturday that will all help the NFL brass in attendance determine which players are ready for the next step. Entering this week, these are the 10 players with the most to prove to NFL teams.
10. S Jalen Mills, LSU
Getty ImagesMills is currently projected to go in the third round which is a little low for the LSU defensive back. With a strong week at the Senior Bowl, he could easily move into the top-half of round two.
9. WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
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Shepard had his best season in 2015 as he posted 86 catches for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite his brilliant year, the Sooners' top receiver is only projected to be a mid-to-late third-round pick because of questions about his size and speed. He can dispel those notions this week.
8. QB Jacob Coker, Alabama
Getty ImagesCoker led the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship in his only season as a starter. He proved in the College Football Playoff that he has the ability to step up his game and make all the throws necessary to play in the NFL. If he flashes during Senior Bowl week, Coker could certainly improve upon his current seventh-round grade.
7. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
Getty ImagesPrescott spent most of the 2015 season proving to scouts that he can be a successful pocket passer. If he continues to show that progression at the Senior Bowl, he could put himself in the discussion for a second-day selection.
6. RB Kenyan Drake, Alabama
Getty ImagesDrake spent his entire college career stuck behind Derrick Henry and Eddie Lacy on the depth chart. He showed his explosiveness in the national championship game when he returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and he has great hands to boot. Drake could easily end up being a starting running back in the league.
5. ILB Tyler Matakevich, Temple
Getty ImagesMatakevich was the leading tackler on one of the best defensive units in the country. Unfortunately, he's projected as a late-round pick because of his smallish stature. If I were a general manager, size means nothing. Matakevich can play.
4. WR Leonte Carroo
Getty ImagesCarroo is one on of my favorite players in the draft. He has everything you want in a No. 1 receiver, but his stock is down because of some off the field incidents. Expect him to be one of the most talked about players this week and begin his ascension up the draft boards.
3. DE Carl Nassib, Penn State
Getty ImagesNassib was absolutely dominant this season at Penn State, but scouts aren't quite convinced that he can transition to the NFL and be the same player. He's currently projected in the second round, but a strong pre-draft process makes the Round 1 a possibility.
2. WR Braxton Miller, Ohio State
Getty ImagesMiller showed some flashes in 2015 as he made the move from quarterback to wide receiver, but he wasn't able to prove it on a consistent basis because of the Buckeyes' offensive philosophy. The entire pre-draft process is important for Miller and it starts this week at the Senior Bowl.
1. DE Shawn Oakman, Baylor
Getty ImagesThere are times you turn on tape and Oakman is the most dominant player on the field. Other times, he's nowhere to be found. He needs to work to shed the lazy tag and become a more determined player. Oakman should be a surefire first-round pick, but he won't be if he continues to dog it.
