2013 Senior Bowl: Five players who are hurting or helping their stock the most
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.