Senior Bowl Recap: Mobile Money Makers

Raiders wire recap’s the best performers at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Alabama

The Senior Bowl practices have come and gone with another great week of practices from the north and south teams. The talent continues to rise every year with more first-round ability than fans would usually see.

After three days of practice and two days of pads, scouts have a good idea of who is delivering on the goods and who is losing money on every rep. Here are the players who helped themselves this week and will be shooting up draft boards in the next two weeks.

Javon Kinlaw-DT, South Carolina

The player who made the most money this week was Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina. His presence was felt everywhere around mobile with the buzz around his size and added on great performances in practice.

Kinlaw started it off at the weigh-ins with his insane measurements. A defensive tackle that is 6’5 315 pounds with an 84-inch wingspan will get anyone’s attention, and then he matched that with dominance on the field. The South Carolina prospect was abusing offensive guards during his one on one sessions tossing them like rag dolls. Kinlaw has the technique and power you want in a defensive lineman at the next level, and it was on full display out here in Mobile.

Troy Pride JR-CB Norte Dame

One player who helped himself more than any other corner was Troy Pride Jr. from Notre Dame. His charisma and personality shined on media day, and he came on to the field and showed out as well.

Pride was the best corner in Mobile this week and stood out against his peers at the position. His technique in press coverage is refined with excellent hips. Pride Jr. was able to trail receivers, trusting his speed and, at times, run the route for them in one on ones. The North team receiving corps was full of big names like Michael Pittman, and Pride displayed he can hang with the big boys. If Pride has a great combine he could rise into day two even day one

Jordan Love-QB, Utah State

Jordan Love didn’t have the redshirt junior season he dreamed of to help him become a first-round pick. Then the arrest happened right before his bowl game, which raised another red flag. He needed a big week to display his talents for scouts and love delivered.

Love played well in practice and might have jumped Justin Herbert as the number three quarterback prospect on individual teams draft boards. He was consistent with his rocket arm leaving scouts in awe. His deep Ball was accurate and useful all week tossing dimes during the one on one sessions. That type of talent at the quarterback position will not get out of the first round, and the Mahomes comparisons are already coming down the hot take train. It couldn’t have been a better week for the Utah State quarterback.

Josh Jones-OT Houston

The offensive lineman always having a chance to gain attention during the practices in Mobile, especially when the pads come on. One player who introduced themselves to the football world was left tackle Josh Jones from Houston.

Jones didn’t lose a rep it seemed all week destroying his opponents during one on ones. The former Houston star has excellent technique with great hands that he always keeps inside. His athleticism was on full display with his beautiful kick step and the anchor ability to shut down the bull rush. Jones probably made the most money out of anyone at the senior bowl. Tackles are a premium in the NFL, and with the Week Jones just had, he might get pushed up into the top 15.

Adam Trautman, TE Dayton

The Senior Bowl is always a chance for players from FCS schools to shine against the best college football players in the country. This week was no different, and one player made it known to the world who he is. Adam Trautman from Dayton was the best tight end in Mobile all week.

Trautman route ability is one of his specialties, but what raised scouts eyebrows was his run blocking skills. Trautman was sound during team drills and was able to drive NFL talent into the second level on plenty of run blocking situations. Of course, in a passing league, his pass-catching ability is the most important, and he did not disappoint there either. His route running was smooth, and you can tell he has the athleticism to feed on safeties at the next level as he was a force during one on one sessions. Trautman made a name from himself this week.