2010 Senior Bowl Preview: Who and What To Watch

Interest in the Senior Bowl has exploded in recent years between NFL Network's live coverage and the rise of Internet blogs, but the inclusion of Tim Tebow to this year's game has taken the Senior Bowl's stature to new heights.  While Tebow will likely dominate much of the conversation, the Senior Bowl has several other stories to follow this week.

Six stories to watch during the 2010 Senior Bowl:

1. How well do the small-school players perform?  One of the things I love about the Senior Bowl is how organizers appear to go out of their way to give the top small-school players in the country a chance to showcase their wares and answer the inevitable "didn't play against top competition" question.  Two years ago, Dominique Rodgers Cromartie took advantage of the opportunity and became a first-round pick. 

Here are this year's small-school guys to watch: RB Joique Bell (Wyne State), G Vladimir Ducasse (UMass), WR Andre Roberts (The Citadel), DE/DT Alex Carrington (Arkansas State), DE Austen Lane (Murray State).  Of these five, Ducasse is getting the most publicity, but keep an eye on Roberts, who has a chance to emerge in a relatively light wide receiver group.

2. Will a quarterback emerge from the week? As mentioned above, Tebow will get the bulk of the attention, but there are five other quarterbacks looking to prove themselves—and don't be surprised if one or more outshine Tebow. 

In particular, pay attention to the MAC's version of Tebow, Dan LeFevour, who is an athletic quarterback like Tebow, but with better passing skills.  NFLDraft101 ranks LeFevour as the No. 3 quarterback in the draft, and don't be surprised if others follow suit if he has a good week in Mobile, Ala.  (Of course, by making this boast, I have probably jinxed any chance he had).  He already passed one test by measuring a legitimate 6'3"; now he has to answer the call on the football field.  

3. With the absence of the top tackles, the focus moves inside, where Mike Iupati looks to take advantage of the added attention and stake a claim to the first round against a strong defensive tackle class.  Also, with seven of the top 10 guards in attendance, there is excellent opportunity for movement. 

Can athletic Mitch Petrus or big John Jerry make move for a day two selection?  Can Vladimir Ducasse, Mike Johnson or Jon Asamoah solidify their hold on the No. 2 guard spot?  Lastly, will J.D. Walton challenge to be the first center selected?

4. The strength of the 2010 NFL Draft is along the defensive front line, and several top performers are looking to challenge to improve their stock and make a move into the first round. 

At defensive tackle, Dan Williams will battle Terrance Cody for top nose tackle honors, while Jared Odrick looks to show off his high motor. 

Also, keep an eye on sleeper DTs Mike Neal and Cam Thomas .  At defensive end, Brandon Graham looks to flash his athleticism and pass rushing ability and vault past the absent Jerry Hughes as one of the top three to four OLBs in the draft.  Another DE to watch is O'Brien Schofield , who raised his stock last week at the East West Shrine Game, where he was the Defensive MVP despite playing OLB (his likely NFL position).

5. Will a cornerback emerge? Joe Haden is the clear-cut No. 1 corner in this year's draft, but the No. 2 spot is up for grabs, as eight of the next 10 rated corners are all in Mobile. 

Can Perrish Cox show man cover skills?  How will Kyle Wilson react to being challenged by wide receivers (they have to throw his way in drills)?  Will Trevard Lindley show he is physical enough to overcome his slight build?  Can Patrick Robinson rebound from an up-and-down season?  Those are just a few of the questions that will be answered at the cornerback spot.

6. Will a wide receiver emerge? With Brandon LaFell a late scratch, and most of the other top receivers underclassmen, the stage is set for Mardy Gilyard to show he can run routes and be more than a slot receiver, or for Tulane's Jeremy Williams to show off his playmaking ability.  

A sleeper receiver to keep an eye on is Dexter McCluster .  He is too small to be more than a scat back/slot receiver, but he is a dynamic playmaker who gets a chance to show he can catch the ball and run routes against top corners and possibly raise his stock, like former teammate Mike Wallace did last year.

Players I am Most Excited to See

QB: Tony Pike—Does he have the ability to take snaps from center? Is his arm strong enough? Can he read defenses? 

RB: Anthony Dixon—Does he have the ability to be an every-down back? and Stafon Johnson—Just seeing him on the field is inspiring.

WR: Joe Webb—Athletic quarterback looking to convert to wide receiver.

TE: Jimmy Graham—Does the former basketball player have the skills to match his measureables?

OT: Selvish Capers—Athletic tackle looks to prove he is the sleeper left tackle of the draft.

OG: All of them.  One of the most competitive positions at the Senior Bowl.

C: Last year's deepest position is one of this year's thinnest.

DT: The Georgia duo of Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens.

DE: George Selvie—Can he rediscover the potential that once made him a Top 15 pick?

LB: Eric Norwood—Scouts knock his measureables, but he's one of the best players I watched this season. 

CB: All of them. The most competitive position on the defensive side of the ball.

S: Larry Asante and Myron Rolle—A great story.

Guys who decided to sit this one out

DE: Jerry Hughes—Tremendous prospect, but he needs to show he can overcome his size limitations and demonstrate his pass rush ability and the ability to convert to 3-4 outside linebacker.

OT: Charles Brown—The Senior Bowl was made for athletic tackles like Brown.  A good week in Mobile could have vaulted him into the middle of the first round.  Skipping it could keep him from making a run at the first round.

RB: Montario Hardesty—Needed to show he was healthy.

WR: Jordan Shipley—I don't know if he was invited, but he needed to perform well in this type of atmosphere to prove he is worthy of a day two selection.

Not a Big Surprise

OT: Trent Williams—Unlike Charles Brown, who needs to build some momentum, Trent Williams is trying to maintain his.  He struggled to play left tackle as a senior, and the one-on-one drills would expose his flaws and physical limitations. 

WR: Brandon LaFell—While he needs to bounce back from an up-and-down season, he likely did not want to take a chance struggling against an underwhelming group of wide receivers.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com.  He can be contacted at  [e-mail]