Senior Bowl 2023: Results and Prospects Who Boosted Draft Stock at Showcase
After several days of practices, interviews and more, the Senior Bowl festivities ended with Saturday's exhibition.
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener secured MVP honors after leading the National team to a 27-10 triumph over the American squad. He threw for 139 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
As usual, though, the result is simply part of a larger storyline.
While the box score is popular—and we're passing along many of those traditional stats—the greater takeaway is which players improved their NFL draft stock throughout their week in Mobile, Alabama.
Senior Bowl Score
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Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
National: Chad Ryland 32-yard field goal (NAT 3-0)
National: Chad Ryland 37-yard field goal (NAT 6-0)
2nd Quarter
American: Jack Podlesny 35-yard field goal (NAT 6-3)
National: Malik Cunningham 1-yard run (Cunningham pass to Payne Durham for two-point conversion) (NAT 14-3)
National: Chad Ryland 41-yard field goal (NAT 17-3)
3rd Quarter
National: Chad Ryland 42-yard field goal (NAT 20-3)
4th Quarter
American: Anthony Johnson 37-yard interception return (Podlesny kick) (20-10 NAT)
National: Michael Wilson 44-yard pass from Jake Haener (Ryland kick) (27-10 NAT)
Senior Bowl Stats
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National
Jake Haener: 12-of-19, 139 YDS, 1 TD
Malik Cunningham: 3-of-5, 49 YDS, 1 INT; 22 RUSH YDS, 1 TD
Evan Hull: 10 CAR, 74 YDS; 2 REC, 11 YDS
Chase Brown: 9 CAR, 40 YDS; 1 REC, 4 YDS
Michael Wilson: 4 REC, 76 YDS, 1 TD
American
Tyson Bagent: 17-of-22, 138 YDS, 1 INT
Clayton Tune: 9-of-12, 70 YDS
Max Duggan: 4-of-9, 26 YDS
Chris Rodriguez Jr.: 6 CAR, 27 YDS; 2 REC, 36 YDS
Eric Gray: 5 CAR, 17 YDS; 3 REC, 13 YDS
Jalen Wayne: 8 REC, 50 YDS
Will Mallory: 5 REC, 46 YDS
Haener Edges Up
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The overall takeaway of 2023 Senior Bowl quarterbacks is the group was inconsistent at best. Given the perceived gap between the upper two tiers of QB prospects and everyone else, that's not a surprise.
Jake Haener, however, made a valuable impression compared to his potential mid-round counterparts.
"Haener plays the position well from the neck up," B/R's Brent Sobleski said. "He understands how to manipulate safeties, where to go with the ball and throw with anticipation and accuracy. While his arm might have been a little stronger than expected when scouts saw him in person, he's still a marginal talent as a passer."
Sobleski's latter point is a reminder of the nuance required in these discussions. Haener is not suddenly a first-round option competing along with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.
But in a crowded middle tier, Haener strengthened his case to get selected late Day 2 or early Day 3 in the draft.
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Mauch Shows off Versatility
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Understandably, each NFL draft cycle includes a focus on position changes for offensive linemen. While a player might've been a tackle in college, NFL personnel may view him more as an interior blocker.
But scouts love versatility.
North Dakota State product Cody Mauch grabbed lots of attention for his ability to contribute all over the offensive line. Mauch, a three-year starter at left tackle for NDSU, practiced at guard and center throughout the week. At minimum, he played left guard, center and right tackle in Saturday's showcase.
"Imagine how valuable a player can be to a team if they can play all five positions," he said, per Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot.
We have a decent idea.
Following the season, Mauch already ranked 52nd on the latest big board from B/R's NFL Scouting Department. Expect him to remain in that neighborhood after impressive work at the Senior Bowl.
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