The first day of practice at the 2021 Senior Bowl saw several prospects elevate their NFL Draft stock after an impressive performance. After the action-packed second day of practice, which players caught the eyes of our team of NFL Draft analysts on the ground in Mobile? Here is their Senior Bowl top performers and risers from Wednesday.
Risers who improved their 2021 NFL Draft stock from Wednesday’s practice at the Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is an annual college football All-Star game, showcasing the top NFL Draft prospects who have completed their college eligibility and intend to make the step up to the NFL.
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The game and the week of practice preceding it are a key part of the NFL Draft process, giving players the opportunity to improve their stock. The 2021 Senior Bowl will be no different in this regard.
PFN Draft Analyst and NFL Insider Tony Pauline’s Senior Bowl top performers and risers
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Part of the reason Mac Jones played in the Senior Bowl was to divorce himself from the awesome talent which surrounded him at Alabama and prove he can play with anyone. He’s done exactly that during the first two days of practice. Jones has been in complete command of the offense, delivering accurate passes, and has not missed a beat since his dominant performance in the title game.
Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana
In college, Mitchell presented himself as a downhill ball carrier with limited versatility in his game. Two days of practice at the Senior Bowl proves it was more scheme related rather than talent limitations.
Mitchell has shown terrific quickness, footwork, and the ability to make defenders miss. He’s also caught the ball very well out of the backfield, somewhat surprising for someone who never caught more than 20 passes in a season during his college days.
Tre’ McKitty, TE, Georgia
McKitty is not a great prospect but has proven the past two days to be a serviceable tight end effective as a pass catcher and blocker. Today, he displayed terrific power finishing off opponents blocking and even a bit of speed as a downfield pass catcher, increasing his NFL Draft stock in the process.
PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings’ Senior Bowl top performers and risers
Quinn Meinerz, OG, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Day 2 of the National Team practice belonged to Quinn Meinerz. The Division-III product stood out against FBS competition on the interior. He’s not the longest player but he’s strong. Additionally, he plays with excellent leverage and control. He has a ton of power at the point of attack and maintains good leg drive.
Meinerz has elevated his NFL Draft stock by picking up the center position quickly, showcasing valuable versatility. He’s been not only one of the top performers of the non-FBS Senior Bowl linemen, but one of the best lineman period. A true Senior Bowl riser.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji, DT, Notre Dame
Ade Ogundeji showed flashes on Day 1. On Wednesday, he took full advantage of Levi Onwuzurike’s absence to raise his own NFL Draft stock. His length is incredibly effective at creating penetration, but he also has impressive burst and hand power. Additionally, Ogundeji flashed exciting flexibility more than once today in beating Robert Hainsey. He’s quickly becoming one of the big Senior Bowl risers.
Ogundeji came in with all the necessary traits and now he’s starting to convert.
Jabril Cox, LB, Louisiana State
Jabril Cox continues to be one of the top performers at the linebacker position in this week’s Senior Bowl.
The LSU defender showed promising skills in all phases. Against the run, he was fairly solid at disengaging blockers. In pass coverage, he had a few seamless reps sticking to tight ends and was physical near the line. He even got some pressure rushing the edge as he continues to raise his NFL Draft stock in Mobile.
PFN Draft Analyst Jarrett Bailey’s Senior Bowl top performers and risers
Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Tylan Wallace built off a really good day Tuesday to further enhance his NFL Draft stock on Wednesday. He made an impressive contested catch on the sideline over Tre Brown in one-on-ones.
For a wide receiver whose biggest concern coming in was around separation, he is demonstrating a savviness in terms of getting open. In an impressive group of wide receivers at the Senior Bowl, he has been one of the top performers.
Tre Brown, DB, Oklahoma
Tre Brown looked fantastic all of Wednesday practice, one of the Senior Bowl top performers. His footwork was crisp and he showed good fluidity in his hip movement. Brown looked really solid in one-on-ones, snagging an interception as well. He was elusive in the blocking drill with DBs and WRs as well.
All together, it was a solid day for the former Sooners DB as he looks to elevate his NFL Draft stock.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, DB, Syracuse
One of the late-season risers prior to the Senior Bowl, Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu was all over the place today. Melifonwu secured multiple PBUs and looked really good in both one-on-ones and 11-on-11. After a solid start on Tuesday, he continues to improve his NFL Draft stock as one of the top performers at the Senior Bowl this week.
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Oliver Hodgkinson is an NFL Draft and NFL analytics contributor for Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @ojhodgkinson.