Senior Bowl week is the unofficial start to NFL Draft season as numerous scouts, coaches and executives head to Mobile, Ala. to get a look at the top senior performers from the 2015 season. It’s an important week for the players as they can improve their draft grades with a great week, but it can also expose certain guys if they struggle. Yesterday was Day 2, the first day of practices, for the players, and these are the 10 players who shined the most.
10. RB Kenyan Drake, Alabama
Getty ImagesDrake is one of my favorite players in the draft. He possesses game-breaking speed and great hands with the potential to be a bigger Darren Sproles down the road. Drake never got the chance to be the starter at Alabama, but that could very well happen at the next level.
9. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
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Entering the 2015 season, I didn't think Prescott would have a shot of being drafted as a quarterback because of issues with his inaccuracy and reads. Instead, he might be one of the most improved passers in the draft and could turn himself into a decent starter down the road.
8. WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
Getty ImagesShepard was a star in 2015 with the Sooners. The biggest question entering the draft process is whether or not he can play on the outside as opposed to in the slot. On Wednesday, he ran polished routes, showed tremendous speed and performed well outside.
7. DT Matt Ioannidis, Temple
Getty ImagesIoannidis was right there with Sheldon Day as the most impressive defensive tackle yesterday. He was able to create penetration into the backfield on both pass and run plays and showed a great burst off the line.
6. CB Cyrus Jones, Alabama
Getty ImagesOne of my biggest worries about Jones is that he's not big enough to be physical with wide receivers. I felt like he needed to get stronger before having an impact in the league. Surprisingly, Jones performed admirably in press on Wednesday which could certainly move him up draft boards.
5. RB Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
Getty ImagesExpect Dixon to have a huge impact during his rookie year in the NFL as he's the most pro-ready running back in this draft. On Wednesday, he put his pass-catching skills on display which is huge for his draft stock.
4. DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
Getty ImagesI had a feeling that Spence would impress this week as he was a man among boys playing for Eastern Kentucky. He started his career at Ohio State before being dismissed from the team, but he's proven to be the best pass rusher at the Senior Bowl.
3. S Darian Thompson, Boise State
Getty ImagesThompson is currently projected as a second-round pick, but he's shown enough in the first two days of the Senior Bowl to possibly be a late first-rounder. His ability to tackle and cover ground in the defensive backfield could make him a lot of money.
2. WR Braxton Miller, Ohio State
Getty ImagesSome scouts said that Wednesday's performance moved Miller into the second round and his move up the draft boards likely isn't finished. He reportedly looked fast and had no problems creating separation.
1. DT Sheldon Day, Notre Dame
Getty ImagesDay was nearly unstoppable on Wednesday as he used his quickness and technique to repeatedly beat offensive linemen. His current third-round projection will begin to skyrocket with a strong finish to the week.
