top 2026 nfl draft The prospects are gathering in Mobile, Alabama this week for the Panini Senior Bowl. The annual invitational showdown begins with practice on Tuesday and ends with a game on Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network). Senior Bowl week also gives all 32 NFL teams a chance to meet face-to-face with more than 100 prospects.
There are two-hour practice sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can watch practice coverage Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET ESPN2/ESPN AppAnd then at 5 pm ET espnu/espn app. Thursday’s practice will air at 2:30 p.m. ET espnu/espn appAnd then at 5 pm ET espnnews. (Rebroadcast on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET.)
NFL Draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reed and Field Yates will be on hand and we asked them to break it down. top player What to see – including the quarterbacks in attendance – and what those prospects need to show this week. Our team also picked potential risers and predicted what would happen during the week. (Be sure to check back on ESPN.com throughout the week for the top risers and standout performers.)
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Top prospects to watch
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predicting the risers
What possibilities are you most excited to see in mobile?
Miller: Caleb BanksDT, Florida. When healthy, banks emerge on the tape. But he was not healthy after suffering last season a leg injury That ultimately limited him to three games in fall camp. If he is ready enough to participate this week, Banks could recapture the Round 1 discussion entering the season. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound nose tackle has a rare speed-to-power combination that should be seen in individual drills against Senior Bowl offensive linemen.
Reed: chris johnsonCB, San Diego State. Johnson was named Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year this season after intercepting four passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns. A true technician, the 6-foot-185-pounder has excellent foot speed, which allows him to remain steady in press coverage. He also shows the spatial awareness to make plays in the zone. Johnson needs to answer questions about his vertical speed and whether he can play with power-conference receivers, but he’s already getting strong buzz from Day 2. Don’t be surprised if it breaks into the top 50 with good performance in mobile.
Yates; Keelan RutledgeYes, Georgia Tech. Why not deviate a little from the board here? I believe Rutledge will hear his name called on day two, as he has started 26 games over the past two seasons for a Yellow Jackets team that has relied on a gap scheme in the running game. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder is one of the most physical players in this draft, a trait he’ll get a chance to showcase during face-offs. There are some players whose playing style grabs you immediately and Rutledge does that for me. He may have a defender on his back a few times in both practice this week and Saturday’s game.
Make a prediction about the Senior Bowl quarterback.
Reed: LSU Garrett Nussmeyer Will be the most impressive passer this week as his anticipation and accuracy shine in this setting. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Nussmeier has a courageous mentality and isn’t shy about making throws in tight windows in the middle of the field or off the field. His experience will also come to the fore with the transition to safety at the line of scrimmage. After a disappointment, injured Going into the season, Nussmeier will look to recapture the early-round buzz entering 2025. Talking to scouts over the past few weeks, the highest projection I’ve heard is Round 3, but others had Round 5 or 6 grades. I think Nussmeyer will improve on them this week.
Make a prediction about pass catchers.
Yates: There will be a period of practice when the NC State tight end justine jolie Steals the headlines. Jolley, who spent his final two seasons with the Wolfpack after spending two years at UConn, is a tremendous athlete and receiver at the position. Although he’s listed on NC State’s roster at 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds (Senior Bowl-verified measurements will be revealed early next week), he has the timing and catch radius to be one of those “just throw it in his direction” pass catchers. And keep an eye on him for Rounds 3-5 in the draft.
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CJ Bailey threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jolley.
CJ Bailey throws a 10-yard touchdown pass against Campbell Fighting
Make a prediction about the remaining offensive group.
Miller: penn state running back nicholas singleton Will burst. He has the tools to shine in the Senior Bowl after a quiet season in which he had only 549 rushing yards on 123 carries, which was part of a larger Nittany Lions offensive malaise. At 6 feet, 224 pounds, Singleton’s weight stands out as an attribute that teams will always look for when evaluating a running back. There is no clear RB2 in the back class jeremiah loveAnd Singleton could move up in that ranking.
Make a prediction about the edge rusher group.
Reed: we’ll talk about texas tech romello height As one of the biggest players of the week, and I expect him to generate eye-popping pressure during one-on-ones due to his bending and determination. Combined with his 6-foot-3, 235-pound height David Bailey Forming a formidable Red Raiders pass rush, finishing with 10 sacks this season. Has a bit of lean frame and will turn 25 before next season, but he could have an immediate, significant role as a situational pass rusher in the NFL. I see the possibility of being late on the second day, early on the third.
Make a prediction about the cornerback group.
Miller: Georgia is known for producing NFL defensive backs, and daleen everette There will be success this week due to his elite size and SEC experience. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is sticky at the line of scrimmage and has hauled in five career interceptions. Everett’s talent in press coverage makes him stand out on tape. And with a lack of high-level receiver talent at the Senior Bowl, Everett — who is probably a third-rounder — should excel in one-on-ones and when asked to make stops near the line of scrimmage.
Make a prediction about the remaining defensive group.
Yates: of pittsburgh kyle lewis Will emerge as one of the big winners of the week. He was a star linebacker for the Panthers, but he will almost certainly be moved to the safety position in the NFL because of his frame (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) — and I believe he has the skills to be a starter there. Lewis has excellent ball skills (six interceptions over the past two seasons) and unmistakable tenacity. His energy will be visible in practice, as well as his coverage skills against tight end situations. I believe he is a choice for day two.
Place your shot now: Which potential Day 3 sleepers will be the big risers this week?
Kevin Coleman Jr.., WR, Missouri. Coleman emerged as the Tigers’ No. 1 wide receiver and fifth-round prospect this season, catching 66 passes for 732 yards and 1 touchdown. At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, his yardage-catching ability is remarkable. He is electric in space and has elite acceleration skills. Coleman also returned a punt for a touchdown this season, further highlighting his elusiveness. It seems like a smaller receiver gets attention in Mobile every year, and Coleman’s route-running skills and pure speed should stand out. — miller
Kieron CrawfordEdge, Auburn. Although the first round lock Keldrick Faulk As an Auburn pass rusher who grabs the headlines, Crawford caught my attention when I watched the Tigers this season. He ranked fourth in the SEC with 43 pressures and is a flexible athlete with good quickness off the edge as well as exceptional hand usage. He uses a terrific swipe-and-chop move to evade pass defenders and should give tackles fits during one-on-ones. Crawford could come off the board anywhere from Round 3 to Round 5.– Yates
J’Marie TaylorRB, Virginia. Taylor was the engine of the Cavaliers’ offense and one of the biggest surprises in the ACC this season. The North Carolina Central transfer made the FCS-to-FBS transition with ease, leading conference running backs with 14 touchdowns and finishing third with 1,062 rushing yards. Taylor is a strong, balanced running back who is also useful as a pass catcher out of the backfield. It’s hard for a running back to excel in an All-Star Game setting, but Taylor is a fourth- or fifth-round prospect who could see his stock rise after Senior Bowl week. — reed
Taquerio DavisCB, Washington. Remember two years ago, when Davis was in Arizona and we were talking about him as a potential Round 1 player? The 6-foot-4, 200-pound corner followed coach Jedd Fish to Washington and has seen his play decline, but the tools are still there. This week could be a reminder to scouts of their raw potential. As a press-coverage standout, Davis should be sticking to receivers at the line of scrimmage all week in practice. He is currently in the fifth round of class. — miller
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Tacario Davis grabs interception vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Tacario Davis grabs interception vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Ted HurstWR, Georgia State. Hurst had a stellar final season that included four games with 100-plus yards and four games with catches of 50-plus yards. Hurst is a big-bodied wideout (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) with impressive speed skills. Georgia State used him as a vertical threat and an underneath target on screen opportunities. When he reaches top speed, it’s impressive to watch. This week will be a good test against top-tier competition, and I think he’s a late Day 2, early Day 3 potential. — Yates
max ihanachorOT, Arizona State. He played well against Texas Tech’s Bailey-Height edge rusher duo and is a highly athletic tackle prospect. A former football and basketball player, Iheanachor’s strong hands and light feet make him a prime candidate to shine during one-on-one pass-rush drills. He needs to be stronger as a run blocker, but Iheanachor is one of the best pass blockers in this year’s class. He is being seen as a mid-round pick, but after this week he could move into the top 100. — reed
