2026 Senior Bowl Storylines to Watch
By Jack Brentnall
Every year, the Senior Bowl helps clarify questions in an environment stripped of scheme protection and familiar surroundings. Coaches and scouts learn a lot from their week in Mobile. With that in mind, here are five storylines worth watching closely.
Which running back can separate in a thin class?
This is not a strong running back class, a reality reflected in the nine backs invited to Mobile. None carry a first or second round grade for me, and there is little consensus around a clear top option. That uncertainty creates opportunity, particularly in a setting that stresses pass protection and receiving ability.
Virginia running back J’Mari Taylor enters the week as my highest-graded back in attendance. He is not a flashy runner, but his tape shows steady decision-making, secure ball handling, and a competitive approach in pass protection. In an environment that rewards trust and versatility, this is the type of setting where Taylor can leave a positive impression on evaluators.
Penn State’s Nick Singleton is another back worth monitoring closely. Once viewed as a potential first-round talent coming out of high school, he has yet to fully translate his tools into consistent college production. Even so, his blend of size, speed, and passing-down utility remains intriguing. A strong week catching the football and holding up in protection drills could help him regain some momentum.
Who proves the jump in competition isn’t too steep?
Every Senior Bowl features prospects making a leap in competition, but for players coming from smaller programs, Mobile can be a defining test. This is an opportunity to show evaluators that their game holds up when the speed, strength, and technical demands increase.
Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst is one of the more intriguing cases in that regard. He offers good size and explosiveness, even if he lacks true three-level speed. While he was productive in the Sun Belt, he struggled to translate that success in two games against SEC competition, finishing with six yards against Vanderbilt and 66 yards against Ole Miss. Scouts will be watching closely to see how he handles press man coverage during one-on-one drills.
The trenches and secondary present similar opportunities. Dartmouth tackle Delby Lemieux and Stephen F. Austin corner Charles Demmings both bring intriguing tools and flashes on tape, but Mobile will serve as a useful litmus test for how those traits translate against Power Four competition. For players like these, simply showing they belong on the field can represent a meaningful step forward.
Which cornerbacks actually impress in one-on-ones?
The Senior Bowl’s one-on-one receiving drills are famously tilted toward the offense. Routes are isolated, help is removed, and defensive backs are forced to cover the entire field. That context matters, which is why success for cornerbacks in these reps tends to carry weight.
Texas A&M’s Will Lee profiles as a defender who could benefit from this environment. He is a physical, feisty man-coverage corner who is comfortable playing in press and challenging receivers at the line. Georgia’s Daylen Everette is another name to watch. His tape has been uneven, but his measurables are enticing, and a clean, competitive week could reignite conversations around his upside.
The corner I am watching most closely is Arkansas’s Julian Neal. A physical and sticky man defender, Neal’s play style aligns well with the demands of these drills. He has generated some buzz as a potential top-100 pick, and if he consistently holds up in Mobile, it would not be surprising to see his name pushed higher as the process moves forward.
Which prospects find a new role?
One of the most revealing aspects of Senior Bowl week is how coaches deploy players. Position switches and alignment experiments often provide insight that a single rep cannot.
Alabama edge defender LT Overton is a prime example. Listed at 280 pounds, his frame raises questions about whether teams see him as a true edge rusher or someone better suited to kicking inside as a defensive tackle. Whether he trims weight to present as a more traditional edge, or embraces an interior role, how he is used in Mobile will be telling.
At the second level, Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels presents a different kind of projection challenge. At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, he has experience playing multiple roles across the defense. He is noticeably more comfortable operating in space and in coverage than attacking downhill, raising the question of whether teams experiment with him in safety alignments during the week.
Along the offensive line, movement is almost inevitable. Iowa’s Gennings Dunker, Texas A&M’s Trey Zuhn, and Dartmouth’s Delby Lemieux are all candidates to see time inside after playing tackle in college. With a strong defensive tackle group on hand, Mobile should provide a useful test of whether they can handle the physical demands that come with that transition.
What do the verified measurables change?
Senior Bowl weigh-ins do not create prospects, but they often reset expectations. While many players arrive with verified measurements, there are still several cases where clarity is needed.
Texas Tech edge defender Romello Height is one of the more notable examples. He was previously verified at just 228 pounds over the summer, and while his on-field buzz has grown since then, his NFL projection will depend heavily on whether he can reach and maintain a viable playing weight.
Height and arm length measurements will also be closely watched throughout the week. While weight can be adjusted during the pre-draft process, length cannot. Those numbers often drive projection decisions, from tackles moving inside to guard, to corners sliding into nickel roles. Mobile may not provide final answers, but it will offer the confirmation many teams need as draft season accelerates.
JACK BRENTNALL
HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.