Joe DeLeone Breaks Down Senior Bowl Standouts
The 2024 Senior Bowl practices wrapped in Mobile on Thursday and a number of 2024 NFL Draft prospects generated significant buzz for their dominant performances throughout the week. This week on The First Team, Ryan Roberts and I broke down who the best players were at the event, and here are five players who made that list
Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo CB
Arguably, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell may have had the best week of any prospect at the Senior Bowl. Coming into the week he wasn’t a nationally known name from spending his entire career at a MAC program. After locking up most receivers and flashing his quick feet, acceleration, and strength Mitchell has proven he belongs in the first-round conversation. Heading into the NFL Combine, Mitchell will continue to rise throughout this process.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia WR
While it’s always easy to overreact to WR vs DB 1-on-1 reps, Georgia’s Ladd McConkey reminded us what type of an athlete he is. Due to missing multiple games in 2023, it felt like McConkey’s stock had cooled heavily. During drills, he showed off his precise route running and burst. More importantly, he had a number of reps that required him to extend and make difficult catches to show off his hands and body control. McConkey is a name to follow on the day of the NFL Draft.
Gabe Hall, Baylor DT
Baylor’s Gabe Hall burst onto the scene on Day 1 of the week by winning almost all of his 1-on-1 reps in the pass rush drills. Despite having a down year in 2023, Hall reminded us of the player he could be. As a long and powerful defensive tackle, Hall was a menace for linemen to keep up with in every portion of practice. Hall’s resurgence as a prospect can solidify him as an early Day 3 prospect.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon C
The top center in the class coming into the week felt like it was Oregon’s Jackson-Powers Johnson. That was affirmed after Powers-Johnson had numerous reps in which he stalled defensive tackles from any forward progress. He showed a very powerful base and an easy ability to mirror defensive linemen. Powers-Johnson also added to his draft stock by taking reps at guard to prove his versatility.
Christian Haynes, UConn IOL
UConn isn’t exactly a powerhouse for NFL talent, but this year they may have an early Day 2 pick and eventual long-term starter in Christian Haynes. Heading into the event, Haynes was one of my top interior offensive lineman prospects and that was verified by his brute strength and mobility taking over. Hayne's scrappy nature and physicality set the tone early in Mobile.
