The last of three days of padded practices at the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, are over, as NFL draft prospects in attendance finished up Day 3 with lots head-to-head competition. The quarterbacks have been in the spotlight all week — Liberty’s Malik Willis was one of the stars on Days 1 and 2 — but a few other potential top-100 picks flashed their skills too. Thursday’s practice was indoors because of the rainy weather.
The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of the top upperclassman prospects in the country, with more than 100 prospects split into two teams. The National team is coached by the New York Jets’ staff, while the American team is coached by the Detroit Lions. The game is at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday on NFL Network.
So which of the six quarterbacks in Mobile impressed on Thursday, and which were inconsistent? Which under-the-radar prospects continued their strong weeks? And who are the biggest draft risers from the entire week of practice?
Here are my thoughts from Day 3:
Seven biggest risers from the week
Scouts Inc. ranking: 49
When projected first-round picks opt to participate in events like the Senior Bowl, they are expected to stand out among the competition. Johnson wasted little time doing that during the first day of practice and followed that up with an even more impressive second day. He quickly caught everyone’s attention in the stadium and was simply dominant when he competed. Johnson didn’t participate during the third day for unspecified reasons, and he wasn’t present during Thursday’s practice.
Still, he showed everything he needed to while on the field, and a strong argument could be made that he was the most impressive player on either team. In a strong edge rusher class, he could rise all the way up into the top 20 picks.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 253
When focusing on small-school prospects at practices, it’s always interesting to see how quickly they adjust to the speed of the game and whether they continue to play fast once they do get acclimated. From the first to the third day, there didn’t seem to be any type of learning curve for Watson. I thought he was the most consistent receiver all week. His physical traits shined brightly during Thursday’s practice, which involved a lot of red zone routes against man coverage.
At 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, Watson has plenty of speed for his size, but it’s his stop-start ability and body control in the air that stood out most. Besides one uncovered drop, he managed to catch everything else even if it wasn’t located in the strike zone. Scouts I talked to quickly mentioned his name as one the biggest winners of the week. Watson could be a target for wideout-needy teams in the late Day 2 range.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
Jones was the player who impressed me most this week. His power was unmatched, and he’s a well-built 329 pounds. His combination of strength and raw power helps him at the point of attack, and blockers struggled all week to cover him up cleanly. Through three days, you can count on one hand the number of reps he didn’t win.
Showing off his versatility, Jones played both 0- and 1-technique tackle during the week. He grabbed the attention of teams that run different schemes, proving he can operate in any interior gap. After a standout 2021 season and with a thin interior defensive line class, Jones has earned himself a lot of money with his performances in Mobile.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 78
Heading into the 2021 season, Winfrey was a prospect I was excited to track. After an inconsistent season in which he didn’t take an expected leap, however, he entered the Senior Bowl with a prime opportunity to showcase his abilities. Winfrey’s first-step burst was the best of any of the interior defenders, and his consistency was impressive. He showed lots of energy throughout practices, only seeming to scratch the surface of the talent that had evaluators excited entering last season.
Winfrey was the No. 1 overall junior college recruit in the country during the 2019 recruiting cycle, and the talent was always clear, but the next stage of development wasn’t unlocked at Oklahoma. “Potential” is a word that will be written down on Winfrey’s draft profile for NFL teams, and he showed many flashes over the past three days.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 52
Pitre far exceeded my expectations this week. He was primarily used as the low safety in Dave Aranda’s Baylor defense, playing the “STAR” position, and he often played around the line of scrimmage and was used frequently in run support. His exposure to pass coverage was limited to slot duties, which meant guarding slot receivers and tight ends up the seam. Scouts wanted to see him more on an island.
Pitre passed the test with ease this week. He’s an easy mover who changes directions with no hesitation, and he has the ball skills to put his hand in the throwing window and knock it away. His consistency in pass coverage combined with his intensity in run support make him one of the more versatile safety prospects in this class.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 37
The early debate about McCreary centered around his short arms, which were measured at 29 inches. He spent most of his time in Mobile getting a mixture of nickel and outside corner reps. During the final two practices, it seemed as if the American team’s coaching staff fully transitioned him inside, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what he’s only going to play on the next level. The three days of practice cross-training at each spot were valuable experience for McCreary, and he proved to teams that he can be versatile.
Here’s what an NFC scout told me about McCreary: “Teams are going to make the same mistake with him that they made with Asante Samuel Jr. last year. He’s going to go in the second round because people think that he has to play inside because of the measurables when he has what it takes to be a productive starter on the outside.”
Scouts Inc. ranking: 30
Wyatt was as advertised in Mobile, showing a combination of first explosion and quickness in all directions. Primarily playing 3-technique tackle, he’s a true penetrator at the line of scrimmage who thrives on piercing the first level of the defense. His disruptive ways continued through all periods of practice.
The most impressive part of Wyatt’s game is how he can switch up his tactics to defeat blocks. He can rush the middle of blockers, and then on the next rep, he can perform a quick stutter step and club-rip move that leaves blockers in their tracks.
That type of quickness and rolodex of moves continues to move the needle of Wyatt’s stock, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he ends up being selected in the top 40 picks in April.
Best quarterbacks on Day 3
Scouts Inc. ranking: 42
After a shaky first day, I thought Ridder rebounded nicely with back-to-back solid practices. He had some impressive throws on a wet and windy Wednesday. Building on that, he took advantage of being inside Thursday and had his best day yet.
Working primarily in the red zone, Ridder made quick decisions and was accurate despite the field being condensed with smaller margins for error. He seemed to be the most comfortable when allowed to operate off play-action and on bootleg action plays that allowed him to get outside of the pocket. He showed off his mobility on a few plays; he’s a vertical runner with enough speed to gain the yardage available to him.
Ridder is a quick processor, and it’s clear he became more familiar and confident with his execution of the playbook as the week progressed.
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (American)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 153
Zappe is the quarterback who took advantage of being inside the most, as he had his best day yet Thursday. Considering the quick and aggressive attack that he played in for the Hilltoppers, he was known to be a quick decision-maker. With the field shrinking in Thursday’s practice, his processing ability was on full display.
Zappe’s best throw came on a corner route to Velus Jones Jr. (Tennessee), when he lofted the ball perfectly toward the back pylon. He remains the most popular option for teams that could be looking for a quarterback in the middle rounds of this draft.
How the other four quarterbacks fared
Scouts Inc. ranking: 20
After facing challenges from the rain Wednesday, Pickett — who went back to wearing gloves on both hands — had some high moments during the first hour of practice Thursday. He threw the ball cleanly and drove it well, with multiple nice throws during the lead-up to the final 7-on-7 period, which is where things began to go downhill. After throwing into danger, he left a go-ball short that was close to being intercepted by Coby Bryant (Cincinnati). The very next play, the defense was able to cash in on his risky decision-making as Jalen Pitre (Baylor) tipped a ball up into the air and Kerby Joseph (Illinois) made a diving interception.
In my evaluation of Pickett for the day, this was a pivotal moment because it was an opportunity to bounce back after facing some adversity. He went on to throw three consecutive touchdowns. Little psychological angles like that are what scouts look for when measuring the mental toughness of signal-callers.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 34
Howell remained steady Thursday, as his accuracy to all levels of the field stood out. He has unique touch and knows the exact ball speeds to place on his throws, and he showed a great feel for how to drop it into the bucket on fade routes into the endzone. He mixed in some back-shoulder throws to keep the defensive backs off balance Thursday.
With a smooth, over-the-top delivery, Howell showed why his deep accuracy was so sought after in the Tar Heels’ scheme. He is the ultimate wild card in this class, and opinions remain mixed on his draft range and how he projects in the NFL.
Scouts Inc. ranking: 21
After a strong Day 2 performance, Willis’ third day of practices had some highs and lows. It’s clear he possesses the best physical traits and upside of any of the quarterbacks in Mobile, but consistency with his accuracy and knowing which situations require putting touch on the ball are the areas in which he needs to improve.
Willis is even more raw than Josh Allen was as a prospect coming out of Wyoming in 2018, and he will need to go to a team that has an entrenched starter, which forces him to sit and learn as he continues to learn the nuances of the position. I’ve been impressed the most by Willis of any of the signal-callers, but it’s clear he’s a long-term project who will need patience and guidance.
.@malikwillis has the people talkin’ š£@eric_edholm @jordan_reid @andy_staples#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/KBMSNZVwPD
ā Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) February 3, 2022
Scouts Inc. ranking: 54
With no worries of weather, Strong’s passes seemed to have the most velocity of any of the National team quarterbacks Thursday. With scouts straddling the out-of-bounds lines and end zones of the field, many were wowed by the up-close view of his arm talent, but his scattershot accuracy remained his biggest issue.
At his best during the 7-on-7 stage of practice, Strong’s top pass of the day came on an out route to Bo Melton (Rutgers), throwing it on a line.
Strong had an up-and-down week, and his ball placement has been the most concerning area. The medical reports around him will be the biggest narrative — he has had some knee issues — but the arm strength and quick processing are evident. Surveying scouts about his projected draft range, many want to see how clean the medicals come back, but Round 2 was the feedback I consistently received.
Biggest standouts from Day 3
Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 222
An effortless mover in all parts of the field, White is a one-cut-and-go runner with upside as both a runner and pass catcher. He worked primarily inside of the 15-yard line the entire practice and had multiple runs that would’ve resulted in a score. He wasted little time with penetrating the first level of the defense and kept his body moving forward into the end zone.
As a receiver during the one-on-one period against the linebackers, White created the loudest gasp of the day from the crowd. Running an angle route against Darrian Beavers (Cincinnati), White crossed Beavers’ face and left him in his tracks quickly.
White has the type of skill set that will enable offensive coordinators to run specific routes from various different alignments in formations. That type of versatility could help him become one of the first rushers taken on Day 3 of the draft.
Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: NR
Badie was a late addition before the start of the Senior Bowl, and he made his presence felt. With his best day coming Thursday, he had two explosive plays that stood out. On a screen pass from Pickett, he got lost in the scrum of defensive linemen racing toward the quarterback and reappeared behind a few blockers before accelerating quickly down the right sideline for what would’ve been a big gain.
Known for his versatility, Badie is a change-of-pace runner who could be a nice addition as a complementary player to a bigger back.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 16
Penning was a thorn in the side of defensive linemen throughout the week, but he faced challenges with adjusting to the speed of the edge rushers here. Two traits have remained constant, though; his physicality and determination to finish defenders have been clear to see.
On Thursday, Penning initiated multiple altercations with defensive lineman because of his effort through the echo of the whistle. He’s the type of blocker who hasn’t stopped all week, even after the referees signaled to stop the action. That type of effort will be a factor offensive line coaches could covet, and it’s apparent why he received first-round grades coming into the event.
A scout from an AFC team mentioned he loves that fiery play because it’s “easier to slow an offensive lineman down than to try to preach physicality into him,” which is Penning’s calling card.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (National)
Scouts Inc. ranking: 99
Shakir had his best day of the week and was constantly open. His abilities to generate clean releases and finish through tough catches were noticeable. Although he isn’t overly fast, Shakir is a technician as a route runner and understands how to work releases and route stems, and can make tough catches no matter the surroundings.
The best performance of the day came during his streak of catches during the 7-on-7 period of practice. He caught everything that was thrown in his direction. Shakir has the upside of being a high quality WR3 on an NFL team’s depth chart, but he could possibly turn into even more after some development.