1. Myjai Sanders, EDGE Cincinnati

Out of all of the defensive end prospects at the Senior Bowl, Myjai Sanders needs a big week the most. With a ton of hype entering his senior season for the Bearcats, Sanders disappointed with only 2.5 sacks in 14 games. Fans expecting a leap from the Georgia native did not get that this past season. He has talent and showed it today. During the 1v1s against Minnesota tackle Daniel Faalele, Sanders beat the giant tackle with both speed and power. He further impressed in the 11v11s in the run game. He might not be the first-round prospect everyone hoped he would, but a strong week in Mobile can help solidify the Cincinnati pass rusher as an early day two pick.

2. Travis Jones, IDL Connecticut

From a small school prospect trying to regain hype to a small school prospect just now gaining his, Travis Jones put on a show during practice today. It seemed like every rep in the simulated team drills Jones was right around the ball. In the 1v1 drills, he was simply unblockable. No matter who the lineman in front of him was, Jones was able to power his way into the backfield. The UConn product has a strong argument for the heaviest hands at the position. For many, including myself, this was their first real introduction to Travis Jones. Not many are able to watch Connecticut film, making this event even more crucial for Jones. If he keeps up this level of play, who knows just how high his ceiling in the draft is. 

3. Christian Watson, WR North Dakota State

Multiple times Inside The Hashes CEO commented on how well Christian Watson was playing in the drills. I would also have to confer, the FCS receiver was extremely good today. Watson was catching everything thrown his way. The big receiver’s hands and body control are exactly what you’d hope for. This leads to what makes Christian Watson special… his speed. A big receiver like Watson should not be able to move the way he does, running smooth routes and clocking in as one of the fastest players at the event. There was a good amount of hype for the Bison receiver heading into this event, and it all seems warranted. If he continues to have a strong week his draft stock will soar.

4. Zion Johnson, IOL Boston College

Once again we are featuring Zion Johnson on a winners list. Johnson looked like the same guy he was at Boston College. He used his natural leverage extremely well in the 1v1 drills, getting hands-on defensive tackles and not letting them go anywhere. His anchor was tested, and other than a powerful rep by fellow list-mate Travis Jones, it mostly held up. An interesting point from day one – Johnson took some reps at center. Can he possibly play the position at the next level too?

5. Mario Goodrich, CB Clemson

Admittedly, I didn’t know much about Clemson corner Mario Goodrich going into today. I knew that he recorded an interception in the Cheez-It Bowl and that the Senior Bowl team was high on him, but that was really it. I believe that Goodrich was the best cornerback in today’s practice. The Clemson corner gave receivers FITS. He was physical and aggressive in all the right ways, receivers struggling to shake the Tiger off their hip. If Goodrich can keep this up, Andrew Booth shouldn’t be the only Clemson corner receiving hype from teams.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen

In one of the biggest annual spectacles of the year for football fans, the Senior Bowl officially started on Monday with the long-awaited weigh-ins. While it may seem silly for a bunch of people to pay close attention to the measurements of these athletes (It sort of is a bit) the measurements are arguably the most important part of the all-star week. With many colleges not providing the most accurate information, a lot of prospects height an inch or two off, the Senior Bowl is the first time the media and teams can accurately get official measurements for players. There’s a big difference in an offensive tackle who is 6’5 instead of 6’3. Here are four winners from the Monday measurements.

Daniel Faalele, OT Minnesota

This one was expected… Daniel Faalele was a massive player on film, and his measurements check that out. Faalele walked into Mobile at 6’8, weighing a colossal 387 pounds. He boasts Andre The Giant-like hands at 11 inches, making it extremely hard for defenders to escape once in his grasp. Daniel Faalele will be one of the largest players in the league upon arrival.

Zion Johnson, IOL Boston College

Zion Johnson is a player who can go very high on day two with a good Senior Bowl performance, and his measurements have him off to a phenomenal start. Johnson is pretty much everything you want in a guard size-wise. At 6’2 he offers natural leverage against taller opponents. He combines that with 33 ⅞ inch arms, which is phenomenal arm length for a guard. He checks all of the measurable boxes and has high-quality tape. Watch out for Johnson.

Phidarian Mathis, IDL Alabama

If there’s one guy who I completely believe can propel himself into the first round with a strong Senior Bowl, it’s Alabama’s, Phidarian Mathis. Mathis decided to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season, the decision yielding his best season yet! I was shocked to find out that the Louisiana native had nine sacks this year, especially after only having one combined sack the previous three years. He has fantastic size, especially with 34 ⅝ inch arms, and that length can be seen in his tape. Mathis makes his money getting hands-on defenders first, and using violent pass rush moves. He seriously has some of the heaviest hands in the class. Quicker than you’d expect at 313 pounds, Mathis should be on most teams’ radars. 

Jesse Luketa, EDGE/LB Penn State

Jesse Luketa’s status as a winner heavily depends on his performance this week. If he plays with the same athleticism he did at Penn State, he’s a massive winner and a player to watch out for. If he looks a bit slower, then not as much. I legitimately cannot fathom that Jesse Luketa moves that well at 262 pounds. On film at Penn State, he flies to the ballcarrier, looking like Bullet Bill from Mario. If he has that same tremendous burst and explosiveness at his current listed weight of 262 pounds, sign me up for Luketa on my roster.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen

Yet another year in Mobile, Alabama for the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl and the talent keeps getting better and better. Just 1 year removed from the Covid edition of the Senior Bowl and media and coaches are finally able to get a closer look into the players with fewer event and gameday restrictions. 

This year’s class of corners is star-studded and we have some of the best players in the country to cover this year. On this list, I will evaluate and give a full analysis of the top 5 corners to watch in this year’s game. 

5. Mario Goodrich

Goodrich is surely not the flashiest name on this list, but he has put together a nice resume over his time at Clemson. With Clemson being known to produce big names at corner, Goodrich has waited his turn. With only one full season under his belt as a starter, Goodrich has relatively good experience at corner. He has played in several games with big-time receiver matchups and high-powered offenses. In his final year at Clemson, he brought in 2 interceptions and 9 pass breakups. Goodrich will be a good addition to any NFL system as he was coached by one of the best defensive masterminds in football, Brent Venables. 

Draft Grade: 3rd/4th Round

4. Derion Kendrick 

Kendrick probably has the most upside in this entire class of corners. As a converted receiver, Kendrick has only spent 2 full seasons as a cornerback. Originally at Clemson, Kendrick was asked to play corner in 2019 after Clemson needed more depth. Kendrick eventually worked himself into the starting lineup and has not looked back ever since. After begin dismissed from Clemson after the 2020 season, Kendrick found a home at UGA, where he went on to be a major part of their National Championship season. 

Kendrick racked in 4 interceptions and 3 PBU’s in 2021 as he helped anchor the best defense in the nation. Despite having the best defensive front in football, Kendrick came up with several big plays late in the season that sealed victories for UGA in the Semi-finals and National Championship. Kendrick has obvious ball skills that show up on tape almost immediately. As a former receiver, he has not spent much time at cornerback, but he has enough athleticism and length to successfully matchup with any receiver.

Draft Grade: 2nd/3rd Round 

3. Tariq Castro-Fields

Castro-Fields is the definition of an experienced cornerback. At Penn State, he started a total of 30 games and played in 52 career games. With a massive amount of experience, he was a consistent player for Penn State throughout his career. Not an elite ballhawk, but very good at getting the ball out of the receiver's hands, Castro-Fields tallied 6 pass breakups with no interceptions in 2021. In fact, in all 4 years at Penn State, he broke up a total of 28 passes. 

Not a devastating open-field tackler, but he will get physical when he needs to be. As a field corner, he is more focused on coverage the majority of the time as he plays in the most space. His zone skills are better than his man coverage ability and he is rarely on the short side of the field. However, he does have enough athleticism to run with the more athletic receivers that he matched up against. 

Draft Grade: Late 2nd Round  

2. Cam Taylor-Britt

Cam Taylor-Britt is what you would call a playmaker at the corner. He is not a big-time technician, but he has solid technical ability that combines with good athleticism. In zone coverage, he is very aware of routes coming into his zone and he likes to keep his eyes on the #2 receiver. He is rangy and has physical ability that could even see him playing some safety. He spent time in the slot as well. In man coverage, Taylor-Britt is not super handsy, and he likes to use his feet to maintain position on the receiver. 

Weaknesses: Taylor-Britt is a physical corner that can get into trouble for looking too much into the backfield at the quarterback. He has never had an amazing number of interceptions with his career-high being in his first year with 3 interceptions. In his final year, he only brought in 1 interception on a defense that was not all that good. 

Draft Grade: Early 2nd Round

1. Roger McCreary 

After a big-time game in Tuscaloosa late in the season, Roger McCreary became a national name at the corner position. Coming into this season, McCreary was a 1-year starter and a solid player at the corner position. Over the course of this season, McCreary became a household name as he held his own in SEC West play and consistently made it difficult for opposing quarterbacks. As a veteran corner, he was very confident in his matchups and it showed as he had several multiple break-up games. Finishing the season with 3 interceptions, he also made his presence felt in that category. 

McCreary has prototypical size for an NFL cornerback at 6 ft and 190 pounds. McCreary is a very physical corner that does not shy away from contact in coverage. He uses his body very in coverage and stays glued to receivers through the entire route. He is able to run with any receiver with very pure athleticism. McCreary does a good job of staying composed when behind in coverage and plays through the hands very well. McCreary doesn’t seem to possess a lot of length, but he makes up for it in his lower half. His feet are quick and he does not waste many steps. 

Draft Grade: First Round/ Early Second Round

Writer

-By: LeMarkus Bailey