Winners, Losers and Takeaways As Jacob Rodriguez Shines During Day 2 of 2026 Senior Bowl

Coming off a starring role on an elite Texas Tech defense stacked with talent, including potential top-10 pick David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez has unsurprisingly continued to shine in Mobile, Alabama.

As Senior Bowl week progresses, NFL scouts look for two things. First, do highly regarded names rise to the occasion and establish themselves as top talents? Second, which individuals improve throughout the practice sessions?

In Rodriguez's case, he's done both by asserting himself as a playmaker while creating two turnovers during the event's second day of practice. He wasn't the only one with a continued upward trajectory.

While the Texas Tech star was all over the field on Wednesday, Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields could well be establishing himself as a first-round target after two excellent performances on back-to-back days.

Bleacher Report's scouts in attendance—Daniel Harms and Matt Holder—again take their impressions from the latest sessions and highlight the best and worst performances.

Jacob Rodriguez Remains Turnover Machine at Senior Bowl

AP Photo/Kathleen Batten

Jacob Rodriguez is an ideal linebacker for today's NFL.

Defenses are now primarily built on two concepts. Units want to confuse quarterbacks by providing different pre-snap reads than what they're actually running post-snap. From there, the goal often centers on dropping as many into coverage as possible, preventing chunk plays, forcing quarterbacks into being patient and turning drives into turnovers.

"Rodriguez came to Mobile as the top linebacker prospect and did what he does best during the second day of practice," Holder said. "The turnover machine forced another fumble with a well-timed punchout and ended practice with an interception. The Texas Tech product also made several tackles during 11-on-11 sessions and looked good in coverage when matched up one-on-one."

This past season, the Butkus Award winner amassed 128 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, six passes defensed and seven forced fumbles (13 throughout his collegiate career).

"The first thing defenses do is take the ball away," Rodriguez said during a post-practice interview on NFL Network. "We stop the run, so that gives us an opportunity to attack the football. Our greatest strength as a defense is taking the ball away and giving it back to the offense. We're not sitting on our heels. ... We want to go attack that football and take the ball away."

The 6'1", 233-pounder doesn't have the best size and is not the most physical or athletic option. But he's clearly smart and instinctual, with a nose for the football—which was on display against all-star competition.

"What I do a lot is take the ball away," Rodriguez said. "So, I feel good about coming out here and continuing to do that."

Winners

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Running back Jaydn Ott

Edge Derrick Moore, Michigan

After a dominant Day 1, Moore continued his fantastic week, bringing the same energy during back-to-back practice sessions.

The defensive end created havoc with his relentless motor, utilized a long-arm maneuver to put another offensive tackle into the dirt, forced a fumble and won the final rep of practice against Boston College tackle Jude Bowry with an inside rip across the blocker's face.

The 6'3", 254-pound edge-rusher is showing everyone why he should be viewed as one of the class' best defensive ends. 

S Bud Clark, TCU

Bouncing back after an up-and-down initial practice, Clark settled and found his footing during Wednesday's practice.

He flew around the field, showing sticky man-coverage ability during one-on-one drills, and came downhill during team sessions to break up a pass. He also snagged an acrobatic interception that was called back due to a hold, but he made the play all the same.

Clark is one of the most instinctual defenders on the Senior Bowl roster. If he continues to build on his latest outing and finds extra confidence, he'll create more fans within the NFL scouting community.

RB Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma

While Ott is only 5'11" and 202 pounds, his size didn't limit the back during pass-protection drills. He went a perfect three-for-three during the one-on-ones and won again during the competition/callout session at the end of practice.

The Cal transfer also had a few nice plays as a pass-catcher and a great read to break a long run during the full team session.

LB Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas

The 220-pound Sorey isn't the biggest linebacker prospect in Mobile, but it's hard to tell based on how physical he's been playing. 

The Georgia transfer displayed excellent block destruction and finished a few tackles for short gains against the run during team sessions. He also had a couple of eye-catching reps during the one-on-ones, both as a pass-rusher and dropping into coverage.

Losers

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Linebacker Kyle Louis

CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

At Ohio State this past season, Davison Igbinosun cleaned up his technique, didn't get called for nearly as many penalties and enjoyed an outstanding senior year. In two practices at the Senior Bowl, he's struggled to find the same success.

The first-team All-Big Ten selection has been hesitant to put hands on shiftier receivers, resorting to a more grabby technique instead of physicality to disrupt timing. A variety of receivers have found success against Igbinosun so far.

While he's had a few good reps, too, the struggles have been obvious. He'll need to close practices out much stronger and regain some confidence. 

TE Dan Villari, Syracuse

Entering Senior Bowl practices, Villari wasn't widely known, but his tape was good enough to indicate he might surprise some people along the way. So far, though, the week hasn't gone to plan for the quarterback convert.

He's struggled to sustain blocks in the run game, dropped footballs and failed to create separation. Physical play from defenders has derailed the tight end in both phases of the game.

His abilities as a receiving threat should be the primary focus going into the final padded practice and actual game in hopes of bouncing back. 

CB Chandler Rivers, Duke

Rivers measured in this week at 5'9" and 184 pounds, with sub-30-inch arms. Measurements aren't everything, and he played a large portion of his career as a boundary corner.

However, he's been put to the test when working over the slot more than he's accustomed. As a result, the two-time All-ACC selection is not having the impact previously seen on tape.

LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

Louis is on the smaller side, measuring in just under 6'0" and at 224 pounds. That shows up in his ability to take on blocks, which was a struggle on Wednesday.

What's even more concerning is that he had issues in coverage, losing a few one-on-one reps and taking a bad angle against a screen in 11-on-11. 

RB Kaelon Black, Indiana

Black's latest outing wasn't all bad. He did produce a few nice wins as a receiver in one-on-one sessions.

However, the Indiana product also fumbled and had a pass ripped from his hands that led to an interception, putting him on the hook for a pair of turnovers.

As if that's not bad enough, Black took a few losses during pass-protection drills. 

LB Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State

While Elliott didn't enter the Senior Bowl with much buzz, he still hasn't done much to boost his stock.

The former Sun Devil lost every rep as a pass-rusher and had trouble covering the running backs during the one-on-ones. He also didn't stand out during the team period to round out what became a rough day.

WR Malachi Fields Enters 1st-Round Draft Conversation

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Malachi Fields

Malachi Fields is putting everything together at the right time.

The wide receiver has the physical tools to be a dominant target, but he never fully realized his potential at Virginia or Notre Dame.

He did post back-to-back 800-yard seasons for the Cavaliers but didn't perform quite as well with the Fighting Irish, with 630 during his final season on campus.

Middling production isn't entirely Fields' fault. At the same time, he was never as dynamic as his athletic profile indicated.

However, he's a massive target with big-play potential, which has showed up both days of Senior Bowl practice.

"Not only did Malachi Fields make the best catch from Wednesday's sessions, but he constantly won his matchups during one-on-one drills and team periods," Harms said. "He caught everything thrown his way and showed off unique movement skills for a 6'4", 218-pound receiver. The ability to sink his hips and decelerate against some of the corners in Mobile has been really impressive. Plus, he's playing a physical brand of football to create space for himself and catch through contact.

"Talented receivers are everywhere among this year's Senior Bowl roster, but Fields stands above the rest so far."

Considering Fields' size and performance on this particular stage, he could be raising his profile much higher than originally anticipated.

"He is making a case to be a first-round pick," B/R scout Dame Parson said. "Fields was already a well-put together prospect built like a traditional X-receiver. He's now combining his outstanding size and agility with elite ball-tracking skills to make plays all over the field."