Senior Bowl: Targets to Watch for the Saints

By now, everyone should know what the Senior Bowl means to NFL teams. Here's a handful of players the Saints should pay close attention to in Mobile this week.

Senior Bowl week is here, and the Saints are going to be one of the many teams in attendance to get some firsthand looks at some of the nation's best college prospects. 

The vast majority of those who put their skills on display in Mobile will see their name called during the NFL Draft process, and we've previously looked at how the track history stacks up for New Orleans. Here's some of the potential prospects New Orleans should keep an eye on over the next several days, as Dennis Allen, Mickey Loomis and Jeff Ireland will be paying close attention.

Senior Bowl Prospects to Watch

Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) makes a touchdown reception over Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Andru Phillips (23) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports Kentucky

Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia 

McConkey is a very solid route-runner that can be used in a variety of ways, with exceptional strong play in the short and intermediate areas of the field. His big game against the Gators (6-135-TD) really put him on the map and his rush during the Orange Bowl win over Florida State was extremely memorable. He feels like a Day 2 pick, and could solidify that with some physicality and contested catches in Mobile.

Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State

Wilson skipped the Orange Bowl and declared for the draft, and now he's going to rely on the Senior Bowl process to hopefully help solidify his draft status.. At 6-foot-7, he certainly has range as one of his strongest traits. His athleticism leaps out when watching him and could also get some interest plugging in at tight end. The intrigue will be there for a lot of teams, to say the least.

Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

Legette is a playmaker. He can be a team's 'X' or 'Z' receiver and can also be effective as a run blocker. His build is reminiscent of DK Metcalf. He didn't exactly come on until his final season, so it'll be fun to watch him over the week. If he can put on some of that 22.3 MPH speed, then it's going to be a good time. 

Saints Have Long History With Senior Bowl Process

Byron Murphy, DT, Texas

Texas has two tremendous interior linemen that could see both of their names called on the first night of the draft. Murphy is foregoing his senior season and his tape speaks for itself. He has explosiveness and a pretty nasty demeanor on the interior. Executive Director Jim Nagy compares him to Grady Jarrett. 

T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

Sweat is tremendous run-stuffer who was a unanimous All-American and winner of the Outland Trophy (best college football interior lineman) in 2023. Don't let his 6-foot-4, 362-pound frame fool you either, as he can also be effective and disruptive as a pass-rusher. His senior season is when he really came on. He's the type of interior lineman that will eat double-teams and still find a way.

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

For starters, Fashanu should be a Top-10 pick. He was the Big Ten's offensive lineman of the year, not allowing a sack over the past two seasons at Penn State with more than 680 pass-pro snaps during that span. Someone is going to get a fairly solid left tackle for quite some time. He's certainly one of the best tackles in this draft class.

Other Prospects to Monitor

• Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State - Real solid right tackle that helped Oregon State's run attack. Will need to showcase a little more in pass protection. He could be someone that flips inside as a guard, but his physicality will attract many who want to run the ball.
• Javon Foster, OT, Mizzou - First-Team All-SEC and Third-Team All-American who could really help his draft stock at the Senior Bowl. Has the potential to be a starting tackle in the NFL, but might fit best on the interior. Potentially needs to be developed early on, but a good showing at the Senior Bowl will help put some of the questions to bed.
• Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State - FCS standout that was a big reason why they took home a second championship. Led the way for Jackrabbits and was their main bell cow while sharing a backfield. Physical runner who put up solid production that will make him an interesting player to watch throughout the week.
• Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona - Has a good combination of speed and an ability to create separation. Looks like his path to the NFL is a slot receiver. His hands and awareness are a big area of strength.
• Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan - Put some memorable tape out there against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Wilson is a tough receiver with good hands that can stretch the field. Would possibly go into the slot and be a Day 2 pick. Needs to show off a little more in the route tree.
• Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona - ACL injury in 2022 brings a little bit of concern, but Morgan had a solid campaign coming back from it. Has the desirable traits you'd want out of a left tackle with size and strength. It'll be all about the pass protection for him in Mobile.