Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad quarterback E.J. Manuel of Florida State (3) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel came down to Mobile last week to prove to scouts and NFL teams that he was worth being in the conversation as one of the top quarterbacks in the this year’s Draft. While Manuel did silence some critics with a great performance in Sunday’s Senior Bowl game, he will have to answer questions about his shaky week of practice.

Manuel had a fantastic performance in the Senior Bowl, completing 7-of-10 passes, throwing for 76 yards, along with a 20 yard touchdown. Manuel showed surprising accuracy on his throws, en route to being named the 2013 Senior Bowl MVP. While Manuel did throw an interception, he showed quality decision making skills that proved to scouts he can adjust at the line at the next level.

No one is questioning Manuel’s athleticism, or his size, both of those traits are prototypical at the next level. However, Manuel does need to continue to improve on his accuracy, as well as his ability to manage a game under center with consistency. All in all, Manuel walked away from his week down in Mobile, as a winner. This week needed to count for him, and he certainly made that happen.

Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones did nothing during his week in Mobile to help his already plummeting draft stock. With his shaky week of practice, and his inconsistencies on nearly all of his throws, on top of his struggles in 7-on-7, and full team scrimmages, Jones really hurt himself this week in Mobile, and will need a strong Combine and Pro Day to help his stock heading into the Draft.

Jones had poor touch, with tons of inaccuracies during his time on the field in the Senior Bowl game, and didn’t look like his head was on the field, but rather elsewhere. Jones was sacked multiple times, and only managed to compile a 3-for-10 outing, with no scores. While Jones didn’t throw an interception, like I said before, he looked foggy, and unenthused. Jones needs to get his head back on his shoulders, Playing at Oklahoma for four years is an accomplishment in it’s own, Jones needs to build off of a solid collegiate career, and wipe this past week off of his mind moving forward. He will leave Mobile as a loser after a pour outing.

SMU defensive end Margus Hunt just continues to hurt his stock, almost by the minute. Hunt looked awful last week in practice, and was basically a no show on the field during the Senior Bowl game. Hunt went down to Mobile with tons of hype, only to follow that up with an abysmal performance all week. Hunt was once considered a late first round pick, but now could very well not be selected until late day two, or early day three. Hunt may end up being the biggest loser of them all when it is all said and done. Hunt will be thankful that he still has a chance to impress scouts at the NFL Combine in February. Hunt needs a solid performance at the underwear olympics to prove his worth as a high draft pick in the NFL.

Oregon running back Kenjon Barner has really impressed me lately. He’s been a solid back all season, even dating back to his 2011 performance. Barner, along with UCLA’s Johnathan Franklin, both really showed their value as all-around backs during their week in Mobile. Barner and Franklin both had solid weeks, with Franklin edging out Barner as the better back in the actual Senior Bowl game. Barner did more of his damage as a receiver, compiling 7 catches for 59 yards, and a touchdown as well. Franklin, as mentioned, had a solid effort with 5 carries for 41 yards, and a 20 yard touchdown. Both backs leave mobile as winners, as their stock, and value both continue to rise as we steamroll towards the Draft.

While more players hurt and helped their stock during their week down at Mobile, we chose to highlight the players that we felt stuck out the most to us. More often than not, the Senior Bowl doesn’t have a serious marginal effect on the draft stock of players, mainly due to the fact that they can, and usually do save themselves at the Combine, and their respective Pro Days. However, certain players have seen their performances at the Senior Bowl follow them like a black cloud, and haunt their draft stock.

September 22, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Larry Warford (67) and guard Zach West (75) block against the Florida Gators in the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky offensive guard Larry Warford came into and out of the Senior Bowl as the third best guard prospect in the 2013 class of players, but in such an atypical year for guards, he may be the third one selected in the first round.

According to Russ Lande of the National Football Post, and one of my favorite Draft analysts out there, there is no doubt left that Warford will be a first round selection come time for April’s draft:

9. Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky (6032, 333 and 5.25 E): Many have already conceded the top guard spot to Alabama’s Chance Warmack, but Warford did everything he could this week to close the gap and get into the discussion. Surprisingly quick out of stance, Warford sets up to block with excellent base/leverage fast and gets his “heavy hands” on the defensive tackle fast. Throughout the week Georgia defensive tackle made it look easy bull rushing all the other interior offensive linemen backwards, but Warford consistently stopped him in his tracks and kept him pinned on the LOS. After his display this week, there is no doubt that Warford will be a first round pick because he will be a day one starter.

That’s a pretty glowing recommendation for a guard from a school that hasn’t had an offensive lineman drafted since 1993, and a position that rarely has multiple players drafted in the first round. Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Stanford All-American David DeCastro in the later portion of the first round, but I had considered him to be easily a top ten overall player in his class.

This year, players such as Alabama’s Chance Warmack have been ranked as high as third on overall big boards around the web. We can’t forget about North Carolina’s stud guard Johnathan Cooper, who is also slated to be a first round pick. At this point, it looks as though we could have three first round picks at the guard position in the 2013 NFL Draft, and Warford may have been one of the biggest winners in this year’s group of players with his performance in Mobile.

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad tight end Michael Williams of the Alabama Crimson Tide (89) celebrates with Brian Schwenke of Cal (57) during the first half of the Senior Bowl against the Senior Bowl north squad at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

I haven’t been able to watch every drill for every player at this year’s Senior Bowl, but from what I’ve been able to gather, there are some clear winners and losers from this year’s All-Star game in Mobile, AL.

Risers

1. Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

The biggest winner from the 2013 Senior Bowl is Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher, who has been absolutely dominant in drills, backing up what everyone saw from him this past season. Fisher showed out during Senior Bowl week, elevating his stock from a potential mid-late first round pick to a sure-fire top 12, if not top 10 pick. I don’t see Fisher sneaking past the San Diego Chargers, and there are a variety of teams in the top 10 who could use his services. Arizona Cardinals, you been watching?

2. Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State

The Oregon State all-time leader in receptions and yards had a great week in Mobile, drawing comparisons to Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers. That might not be the greatest comparison based on Wallace’s 2012 numbers, but the 2011 version is sure as heck a good comparison. We all knew Wheaton had skills, but his speed was very evident during Senior Bowl week.

3. Mike Glennon, QB, N.C. State

Quarterbacks were marred by inconsistencies throughout the week, but that’s to be expected in a setting like this. Despite my current evaluation of Glennon (3rd round), I think he has helped himself a lot during Senior Bowl week, and made some big throws in the game that could also help elevate his stock. There are many out there, including long-time NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., who believe that Glennon is a first rounder.

4. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas

Goodwin is a world-class track athlete, but he didn’t put up great numbers at Texas with the Longhorns. That being said, Goodwin put on a show during Senior Bowl week, and may have really enticed some teams to pick him in the third or fourth round as a potential slot wide receiver and return specialist. Goodwin’s speed alone will get him drafted, but he flashed some ability that had people wondering why his numbers weren’t as good as Tavon Austin’s while at Texas.

5. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas; Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

Okafor and Jones are a couple of defensive ends who may have solidified their status’ as first round selections in April’s draft. Both are very solid prospects who look like they can be strong-side defensive end starters in the NFL for a long time. They both play with power and quickness, and while they don’t have great speed around the edge, both have a knack for making plays in the backfield.

6. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

The guy showed up in practices, and made huge plays during the game. Ansah is being regarded as one of the players in this draft with the most potential, and he showed why. He should be a lock first round pick, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s off the board within the first 20 picks.

Fallers

1. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

Despite the fact that Margus Hunt blocked a ridiculous amount of kicks/punts in college, teams are very aware of his age (going to be 26 as a rookie) and the fact that he didn’t stand out at the Senior Bowl with quick pass rush moves. Hunt showed flashes of how good he can be, but as a potential first round pick–even with his age–we all wanted to see more.

2. Denard Robinson, WR, Michigan

The former quarterback failed to make plays as a wide receiver or punt returner in practice. Some scouts were saying he will not be picked until the 6th or 7th round after the way he played this week. I have to give him a little break here, as it was his first time really playing this role in a full-time setting. He will continue to get better, and as good an athlete as he is, I think the future is bright for whatever team picks him up.

3. Robert Lester, S, Alabama; Nico Johnson, LB, Alabama

Two of the defenders on Alabama’s vaunted defense who came into their junior seasons with potential first round grades are going to leave Mobile with question marks of whether they can be effective as full-time starters in the NFL. Both struggled mightily and look like no higher than third round picks at this point, which is disappointing considering the impact they had at the collegiate level.

Big Winners

1. Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Trufant was outstanding all week long, and may have earned himself a first round slot with his play. He’s got good size for a corner, but the only thing scouts are worried about is the lack of turnovers he forced in college.

2. Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International

Cyprien showed off some great athletic ability this week at Mobile, and looks like a second or third round pick. He may have turned the most heads among defensive backs.

3. Brian Schwenke, C, California

Schwenke showed up to the Senior Bowl as a top five center in a horrible class of players in terms of depth, but may have showed enough to be an NFL starter as either a center or guard in a zone blocking scheme. Mike Mayock noted specifically that teams like Houston will be salivating at the opportunity to add this guy to their rotation on the offensive line.

Jan 21, 2013; Fairhope AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad quarterback Tyler Wilson of Arkansas (8) drops back to pass during Senior Bowl practice at Fairhope municipal stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson came to the Senior Bowl with both hype and concerns about what type of NFL quarterback he could be. Wilson has struggled with a history of concussions throughout his collegiate career, which as we know, is a very sensitive issue at the next level. We won’t know how fragile or durable Wilson is until he sees contact in Sunday’s Senior Bowl game, which will be minimal at best. However, Wilson has answered various questions on his concussion history with scouts this week.

Wilson shared reps with Florida State‘s E.J. Manuel, and Oklahoma’s Landry Jones. Both Jones and Manuel showed tremendous inconsistencies during practice this week. Neither quarterback was able to show confidence in their deep throws, and had trouble connecting on many of their intermediate routes. Manuel finished the week stronger than expected, and has shown signs of promise moving forward towards the NFL Combine next month in Indianapolis.

Wilson has the most to gain, and ironically, the most to lose this week at the Senior Bowl. Coming off a season where he and his Razorbacks struggled mightily under lofty expectations, Wilson needs to prove that he can stay healthy, and is still the promising prospect he was in 2011. Wilson really helped himself by measuring in this week at just a shade over 6’2”. That measurable alone will help his stock heading into the events that will follow this week’s Senior Bowl events.

Wilson has been doing all of the right things down in Mobile. He has shown that he is still the same strong armed quarterback that we have all seen on film, and in person during games. He has good touch on his route specific throws, and a nice zip on his down field throws that you like to see a quarterback have coming into the NFL. Wilson surely has plenty of room to develop as a quarterback, but his skill set as it stands now qualifies him enough to be a solid first round selection.

This week in practice, Wilson was able to show a pocket presence that was unmeasured by Landry Jones, or E.J. Manuel. Manuel and Jones both looked rushed and unpolished in 7 on 7 drills, as well as full 11 on 11. Jones looked shaky, and often avoided big throws in favor of dumping it off into the flats, and allowing his skill players to bail him out of a sticky situation. Manuel, as mentioned before, had a strong finish to the week, and has continued to keep the faith of scouts around the league.

All in all, Wilson was far and above any quarterback down at the Senior Bowl this week. He showed maturity in the pocket, the ability to make nearly any NFL throw, as well as keep the composure of a huddle with guys he has never played with before. Wilson’s biggest concern is his inconsistency. He’ll make you jump out of your seat with two or three great throws in a row, and then you find yourself shaking your head and say “what was he thinking?”. No one at this point of the pre-draft process is perfect, and Wilson is no different. However, Wilson did a fantastic job setting himself a part from the crop of gunslingers down in Mobile, and is poised and on track to only help his stock rise as we continue to steamroll towards April’s 2013 NFL Draft.

November 24, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson (16) runs for a 67 yard touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

As the top Seniors from around the country gather in Mobile, Alabama for the 2013 Senior Bowl, certain prospects are sure to see their stock rise, while others are destined to see themselves lose out on a lot of money. In this article we will highlight five players who are on pace to see their stocks rise and fall throughout the course of events that take place this week.

Eric Fisher of Central Michigan has really put on a show down at the Senior Bowl. Fisher has shown his ability to manhandle the top pass rushers in the country with ease. Fisher came into this week’s festivities as a top 20 projected selection. After showcasing his talents during practice and drills, Fisher is now in consideration to be a top 10 selection in April. Some draft experts have even gone as far as to say that Fisher is now pushing Texas A&M‘s Luke Joeckel as the top Offensive Tackle prospect in the draft.

Landry Jones, Quarterback out of Oklahoma has really hurt his stock this week. He hasn’t shown the touch on his deep throws that you want to see at the NFL level, and has not been consistent in 7 on 7 drills. Jones often has avoided the deep throw and instead dumped it off to the running backs in the flats. Jones really needs to finish the week in practice with good, solid throws down field that will show scouts that not only can he make every NFL throw, but also that he is confident in his skill set.

Denard Robinson WR/RB out of Michigan was the Senior Bowl’s most popular player earlier in the week. He spoke to nearly 25 teams his first day down in Mobile, and was on the top of scouts radars due to his transition from Quarterback to skill player. Robinson has split reps at running back and wide receiver, and hasn’t stood out in either position. Robinson muffed multiple punts, and had difficulties making easy catches during his reps he saw as a receiver. He did not look like a natural according to multiple scouts I spoke to who are down in Mobile covering him in person. Robinson is a gifted athlete, and no one is denying that. However, if Robinson cannot prove to scouts this week that he is an asset rather than a liability out of the backfield or split out wide, he could see himself still not drafted on day three.

Tyler Wilson, QB out of Arkansas has easily been the best quarterback of the six that are down in Mobile. Wilson has shown he is capable of making all of the NFL throws, and hasn’t had much resistance in doing so. Wilson consistently puts a nice touch on his intermediate, and deep balls, and rarely puts his receivers in a position to have to stretch for the football. Wilson does come into the Senior Bowl with injury concerns, as he has a history with concussions. Wilson must be honest with scouts about his injury past to help see his stock rise. Wilson has shown on the field that he is the best quarterback of the crop, which should surprise no one.

Markus Wheaton Wr out of  Oregon State has been remarkable this week, to say the least. Wheaton carries a definite swagger around with him down in Mobile, which has garnered him a lot of attention among scouts and draft experts. Wheaton was projected as a mid second round pick, possibly falling into the third round prior to his arrival at the Senior Bowl. After a solid week of practice, where he has shown that he is the elite receiver at the Senior Bowl, Wheaton’s name is now all over Mock Drafts on the Internet with him in the mid to late first round. Wheaton has even been shown as the first receiver off the board in a few mocks I’ve seen. While Wheaton may not see himself become the first receiver drafted, his skill set and his performance this week has shown that he is a rising prospect, and one that fans of teams who need a play maker at wide receiver should keep an eye out for.

Nov 12, 2011; Stanford CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard David DeCastro (52) blocks Oregon Ducks defensive end Terrell Turner (45) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. Oregon defeated Stanford 53-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

One of my favorite draftwebsite (other than this one of course) is www.mockingthedraft.com run by the terrific Dan Kadar. I reached out to Dan to see if he would be interested in a weekly Q an A and he happily obliged. For this week’s topics we chatted about the value of interior guard David DeCastro, the Senior Bowl, and who to expect a breakout season from in 2012.

David DeCastro is pretty high up on a lot of big boards, number four on National Football Post’s Wes Bunting’s big board for instance. How high can you justify a guard prospect being drafted…and what are some teams you think DeCastro might be a good fit for in the first round?
With a player like DeCastro it’s easier to justify because he’s that good. He’s the Andrew Luck of guard prospects. The Saints’ offensive line is a good example of how important good guard play can be. Their tackles are decent, but their best players on offense after Drew Brees are guards Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans. Although they were later-round picks, the value of good guard play shouldn’t be as understated as it is. In my most recent mock, I had the Chiefs taking him at pick 11. The Cowboys at 14 and the Bengals at 17 could also be landing spots. It’s hard to see DeCastro last beyond Cincinnati’s second first-round pick at No. 22.

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January 28, 2012; Mobile, AL, USA; North Squad quarterback Kirk Cousins (8)of Michigan State makes a throw during the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-US PRESSWIRE

When asked about who was the best player at Senior Bowl, my initial response is either Courtney Upshaw or Melvin Ingram. In my opinion, those two guys are top ten picks, and I mocked them as such in my latest first round projection. I think both guys have excellent pass rush ability in a draft that overall lacks guys with that specific skill. Right now, I have Upshaw going to the Dolphins, and Ingram to the Bills.

But, that doesn’t mean that those guys were the ones who stood out the most from Senior Bowl week. By many and almost all accounts, Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins had a huge week at the Senior Bowl, and I really liked what I saw as well.

Cousins is a great leader, has a good arm, and is a really smart kid who will win over every team he interviews with. Here is what NFLDraftScout.com and CBS Sports draft analyst had to say about Cousins’ week in Alabama:

Just as he was throughout the week of practice, Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, for the North, was the most impressive quarterback in the game.

He completed only five of 11 passes overall, with a touchdown and an interception. However, that one touchdown pass, a 41-yarder to Arizona State’s Gerrell Robinson with 11:44 left in the third quarter, gave the North a 23-13 lead and enough cushion to hold on for a victory.

Last year, the “most impressive” QB at the Senior Bowl by a consensus was Florida State’s Christian Ponder, who was expected to be a late first or second round pick wound up getting picked 12th overall by the Minnesota Vikings. I’m not sure Cousins is in for that kind of rise, but perhaps he has entrenched himself firmly in the second round.

One team rumored today to be looking into adding competition to the quarterback position is the Denver Broncos, who could take a quarterback anywhere from the second round to the fifth. Maybe they would look at Cousins in the second round, and give him a chance to compete with Tim Tebow for the quarterback position in Denver with another veteran.

Either way, I was really lukewarm on Cousins, thinking maybe he was a sixth round pick earlier this year. Now, I think he could be a second or third round pick, no later than the third though. After his week at the Senior Bowl and listening to him speak, you just really learn to appreciate a guy for who he is on and off the field, guys at the most important position on the field who influence the players around them who have a positive impact.

January 2, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson (16) looks to pass against the Oregon Ducks during the first half during the 2012 Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

With the Senior Bowl set to begin in a little less then 10 hours, it’s an appropriate time to step back and look for who to watch. With Senior Bowl players getting ready to make the last in-game impression they can, there will be no shortage of competitiveness on the field on Saturday. These players are going to go out there and give 100% in hopes that some team will give them a job. While many of these players will be drafted come Draft Day, let’s take a look at the 10 position battles that could really affect how how or how low the players at those positions could go.

South QB Brandon Weeden vs North QB Russel Wilson
During the week of practice, it became clear that Brandon Weeden was the best quarterback on the field followed by Russel Wilson and the rest of the QB’s. That is why Weeden and Wilson will be starting the game for their respective teams. Weeden’s stock is pointing up and a strong performance could push him even higher despite his old age (28). Wilson, on the other hand, had good moments and bad moments in practice. His height is the main concern and he will need a good performance to alleviate the concerns on how his height will affect him at the next level.

North RB Chris Polk vs North RB Doug Martin vs South RB Chris Rainey
This position battle will be one of the most important to watch. Chris Polk entered the week as one of the best running backs in the 2012 class, but a poor showing in practice has his stock pointing down. Doug Martin had a fantastic week of practice and his stock is very much pointing up. Rainey showed up and has widened a lot of eyes with his speed and athleticism especially as a receiver. If Polk wants to regain his spot, he will need a very good performance in the game or he risks falling out of the first 2 rounds of the draft. Martin, on the other hand, could really solidify his status as a Day 2 pick with a strong game. Rainey is a guy who could really shoot up boards if he shows the same athleticism he showed during practice. As the old saying goes, “You can’t teach fast”.

North WR Marvin Jones South WR Juron Criner
We got two Pac-12 guys who had two good weeks of practice. Jones surprised everyone throughout the week with deceptive speed and skillful route running. Criner, on the other hand, displayed good route running, good hands, and knows how to shield the defender away using his 6 ft 2 frame. Both of these guys entered the week under the radar due to various reasons, but both go into the game with a lot of momentum and some buzz among draft analysts. A solid performance could boost them solidly into Day 2 of the draft.

South DT’s Brandon Thompson North DT’s Kendall Reyes
Defensive Line play has been pretty dominant all week long. Clemson DT is clearly the cream of the crop of the senior bowl. He’s big, explosive and has been unblockable throughout the week. Kendall Reyes explodes off the ball and uses violent hands to get after the QB. He has opened some eyes this week. These are the top 2 DT prospects in Mobile. Thompson is probably a first round pick and a good performance will only solidify that. A good game from Reyes and he will firmly be planted in Day 2.

North OL Mike Adams vs South OL Cordy Glenn
Two of the top offensive lineman could gain quite a bit with good performances on Saturday. Mike Adams has really surprised people with his athleticism and strong build. He was looked at as a potential 1st rounder but has quickly shot up boards. A strong performance could make him a top 15 pick. Glenn, on the other hand, is the consensus top guard in this draft. Big, tough and physical, Glenn has the makings of a day 1 starting guard. He will probably be a 1st round pick.

South DT Jaye Howard vs North DT Alameda Ta’amu
Jaye Howard is an intriguing guy. He didn’t do much at Florida, but he caught my eye doing drills. He is athletic with a good burst. A strong performance for him is a must if he wants a shot at being drafted on day 2. Ta’Amu is a guy who really needs a good game. He has had a less then stellar week of practice. He needs to show more pass rush ability then he’s been showing if he wants to be drafted early on Day 2. Both of these guys have a lot to gain and a lot to lose on Saturday.

South DE Quinton Coples vs South DE Courtney Upshaw
Two of the best prospects in the country, Coples and Upshaw are squarely competing against one another to be the consensus top pass rusher in the draft. Both Coples and Upshaw have proven to be unblockable throughout the week. Coples is a prototypical 4-3 DE while Upshaw has versatility and could play in a 4-3 or 3-4. Both of these guys look like top 10 prospects.

North DE Vinny Curry vs South DE Melvin Ingram
Curry and Ingram are both intriguing. Curry has some explosiveness to his game and could be a really good pass rusher at the next level. However, he has some mechanical flaws that need to be fixed such as his hands and his pad level. On the other hand, Ingram has been very impressive all week, but his short arm measurements have caused some concern and could be a problem moving forward. Ingram will be looking to keep his name in 1st round discussion and Curry is trying to raise his 2nd round draft stock.

North CB Jammel Flemming vs South CB Janoris Jenkins
The two best corners will do battle with both eying the 1st 2 rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. Jenkins is the better corner, but he has some off the field character concerns and will need a very strong performance for teams to overlook those concerns. Flemming is a good prospect with starter potential as he continues to work on things such as tackling and playing against the run. A strong game from Jenkins will help his 1st round hopes while Flemming could be vying for a top 40 spot with a good performance.

North S George Iloka vs North S Harrison Smith
The two best safeties at the Senior Bowl are on the same team. Iloka really opened eyes at his weigh in do to his height, weight and arm length. He has definitely got a buzz going around him and a good performance could really boost his stock in this weak safety class. Harrison Smith is a solid prospect who is best against the run. His athleticism is a negative and will hurt him, but a strong showing could have him taken sometime on Day 2.

Make sure you stay tuned throughout the weekend for analysis of the Senior Bowl. You can also follow us on Twitter as we tweet our thoughts throughout the game.
Follow us on Twitter: @NFLMocks
Follow me on Twitter: @ballinnickcast

Nov 5, 2011; Fayetteville, AR, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Melvin Ingram (6) prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated South Carolina 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

1. Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw reminds me a lot of a Terrell Suggs type of player, a relentless pass rusher who is always making plays in the backfield. I think he has top 5 talent potential and if he’s not a top 10 pick after his performance this week, I’ll be pretty shocked. He might not be the highest drafted player from this game, but it’ll be close.

2. Quinton Coples, DE/DT, North Carolina

Coples needs to be more consistent with his motor, but he has the talent and size that NFL GMs drool over and he could be an absolute star if he dedicates himself. He is not quick off the ball but he has great moves from both end positions as well as the inside. He has intriguing upside in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes.

3. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins was reportedly the best corner by far at practices this week at the Senior Bowl, and to me, his talent has never been a question. If his character off the field will check out, there is no doubt he should be one of the top corners in the league someday and a top 10 pick. However, the red flags that he carries will cause him to be drafted between picks 16-32 and if he gets to the right program, he could be a steal.

4. Melvin Ingram, DL/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is a jack of all trades, master of none. If you haven’t heard that about him yet, you’re not reading the right publications. Recruited as a linebacker, finished his career as one of the most ferocious pass rushing DE/DTs in all of college football. He looks like he could start in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense.

5. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams had an inconsistent week of practice, but by many accounts, he was one of the best players there. He has great size and length, and has potential to be a starting left tackle in the NFL.

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MIke Adams Was One of the Biggest Winners of Day One

Today is one of the biggest weeks in Football for draft fans. This week at the Senior Bowl can seperate man from the boys (or some other less cheesy line). Unfortunately I was not able to make it down to Mobile this year and neither was Sayre, but that doesn’t mean we won’t provide you with great coverage via the television. I’m going to scour the web looking for the best and most fascinating Senior Bowl story lines out there. 

Today’s biggest even was the weigh-ins.

The weighs are important for a few positions, but the most important is Offensive linemen. Large Hands, big wingspans, and thick, not fat are what teams are looking for.

Weigh in Winners:

Mike Adams OT Ohio State

I’ve been writing this for awhile-Mike Adams will likely end up in the top 20 of the N.F.L. draft after he returned from his suspension from the Ohio State scandal he played well. He’s a massive man and has the athletic ability to play LT in the N.F.L. Now he’ll have to prove throughout this week, but he got off to a good start. Mike Adams measured in at 6’7 323 pounds an arm length of 33 3/4 long, 11 inch hands. He has an 82 1/2 inch wing span. He is a massive man. He reportedly carried his weight very well.

Adams also performed well at practice.

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