Best NFL Draft Prospects Who Weren't at Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a major step in the NFL draft evaluation process as it allows scouts, coaches and general managers to get up close and personal with many of the top prospects.
However, it also tends to skew our analysis of the upcoming draft class.
With a full week of coverage devoted to the seniors who are invited to attend, it's easy to forget about the many prospects sitting at home for a variety of reasons.
The following slideshow highlights seven prospects who were not in Mobile, Alabama, for the 2016 Senior Bowl, but those who deserve some attention.
These aren't necessarily the seven best prospects who missed out on the action last week—we'll skip over some of the elite names like Joey Bosa and Laremy Tunsil. Instead, consider this a refresher course on some exciting prospects who deserve extra hype.
Jared Goff, California
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If you followed the Senior Bowl at all, you probably heard a lot about Carson Wentz. And then a little more about Wentz. And then even more.
As the only viable first-round quarterback in Mobile, Wentz attracted more than his fair share of the headlines. But California's Jared Goff remains the top quarterback on many draft boards.
CBS Sports' Rob Rang, for example, has Goff ranked at No. 10, five spots ahead of Wentz.
Rang highlights Goff's "awareness, functional mobility, accuracy and toughness" as his best assets.
After a week of the Wentz hype machine controlling the draft coverage, it feels as though Goff's momentum has faded. NFL teams, however, aren't so easily swayed by one good week of practice.
Goff will have his opportunity to shine at the combine, if he chooses to do so.
However, we'll more than likely need to wait until Goff's pro day to see him throw. Goff clearly does not have the rocket arm Wentz possesses, so it may not be in his best interest to put his skills on display in a setting which has essentially devolved into an arm strength competition.
Darron Lee, Ohio State
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Former Ohio State Buckeye Noah Spence was one of the stars of the Senior Bowl due to his remarkable athleticism. His former teammate Darron Lee may be among the few defensive prospects in this class who can match up with Spence in terms of all-around athletic ability.
Lee is a redshirt sophomore, so he didn't have as much time to generate headlines as some of the other elite prospects in this class. In his two years as a starter, however, he terrorized the Big Ten with his range.
Lee fits the mold of the new NFL linebacker, as a slightly undersized prospect—by traditional NFL standards—but he makes up for it with elite speed, agility and overall athleticism.
At Ohio State, Lee didn't play a traditional linebacker role, as the Buckeyes coaching staff moved him around the field depending on the situation.
While some teams may shy away from Lee due to his size (Ohio State lists him at 6'2", 228 pounds), creative defensive coaches will salivate at the thought of the versatility he will bring to their unit.
Devontae Booker, Utah
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The running backs at the Senior Bowl were one of least impressive groups we've seen in recent years.
The top ball-carriers in this class are underclassmen, and Devontae Booker, arguably the best senior, was unable to attend due to injury.
Booker is rehabbing from a torn meniscus in his knee that required surgery in November.
If Booker is healthy at the combine, teams will pay close attention to his workouts to help them determine if he has the athleticism to play at a high level in the NFL.
Booker is primarily a downhill runner who does his best work between the tackles, but he shows flashes of agility that could translate to the NFL.
Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBS Sports noted Booker's tendency of "bulldozing his way through contact rather than wasting time trying to shake defenders."
A team in need of running back depth could be interested in adding Booker late on Day 2 of the draft.
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Adam Gotsis, Georgia Tech
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Adam Gotsis may have been among the most highly touted prospects in Mobile if not for a season-ending knee injury he suffered in November.
Gotsis is 6'5", 285 pounds, and a strong athlete for his size.
A native of Australia, Gotsis is still developing his technique but has the potential to develop into a dangerous interior pass-rushing threat.
Had he been able to participate in the Senior Bowl, Gotsis' quickness would have been apparent in one-on-one drills, and he may have established himself as one of the top 3-4 ends or 3-technique tackles in this draft class.
Hopefully Gotsis will be healthy enough to show off his skills at the combine, which could lead to a major bump in his draft stock.
But if he's unable to work out, you can be sure to find Gotsis listed among the most intriguing high-upside Day 3 prospects.
Victor Ochi, Stony Brook
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Victor Ochi attended the Shrine Game, so NFL scouts and coaches did get an opportunity to see him up close this offseason. However, it would have been fun to see his pass-rushing skills on display against the Senior Bowl competition.
Playing at Stony Brook, which has never produced an NFL draft pick, Ochi's ability against top competition was an unknown until he had a dominant week at the Shrine Game. Based on that performance, he likely would have fared well at the Senior Bowl as well.
Ochi is not a first-round talent, but in a draft class with relatively few explosive edge-rushers, Ochi could rise as high as the third round.
Listed at just 6'1" and 244 pounds, Ochi will be considered slightly undersized by some teams. As a result, it will be important for him to put together a strong showing at the combine to further demonstrate he has the athleticism to make up for his size.
Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky
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This is a weak year for tight ends, especially at the top of the class.
In Mobile, Ohio State's Nick Vannett emerged as the star of the group, but a handful of others could come off the board before Vannett on draft day.
Western Kentucky's Tyler Higbee was left off the Senior Bowl roster due to a knee injury, which also forced him to miss five games this season.
Higbee is a converted wide receiver who has the tools to contribute immediately in the passing game.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compares Higbee to Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron, noting "there is no doubting his pass-catching talent."
Higbee will likely come off the board on Day 2 and should have a niche role in his team's offense as a rookie.
Connor Cook, Michigan State
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Connor Cook is the only prospect on this list who voluntarily skipped the Senior Bowl. Cook, a senior, turned down an invitation to participate in the event.
Initially, the decision appeared to make some sense based on the quarterback competition in Mobile. Overall, this draft class is not deep at quarterback, and two of the top prospects, Jared Goff and Paxton Lynch, are underclassmen and were not eligible to participate.
However, once Carson Wentz showed off his obvious first-round talent, Cook's decision began to look questionable.
Wentz used the week to showcase his talent and allow teams to become more familiar with him on and off the field. As a result, Wentz now appears to be a first-round lock and a potential top-10 selection.
With Wentz emerging as a first-round prospect, Cook's draft status is in doubt.
Very few teams in the mid-to-late first round need quarterbacks, which could force a fringe first-round talent like Cook to fall on draft day.
The NFL combine now becomes critical for Cook, who will need to stand out on the same field as Wentz, Goff and Lynch in order to regain some momentum.
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