Right as the clock hits triple-zeroes on conference championship weekend, Mobile, Alabama is the center of the NFL universe for a few days every year at the end of January (and now into February). The small town is practically bursting at the seams with NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and, most importantly, NFL hopefuls.
But as quickly as the football world descends on Mobile, the event flies by just as rapidly. Three days of practice sessions are in the books and several players solidified or raised their 2024 NFL Draft stock. Let's focus on the five who stole the show all week long. This list is in no particular order.
Jackson Powers-Johnson
IOL, Oregon
The 2024 offensive line class is loaded, and that was reflected down in Mobile with several offensive linemen performing like high picks. While there were several standout tackles, the presence of Powers-Johnson on the interior stole the show. While he didn't practice on day three, one could argue he was the MVP of the first two sessions and played like a first-round-caliber prospect. Powers-Johnson is smooth, quick-thinking, and completely unpanicked when pressed. He made himself plenty of money in Mobile.
Brenden Rice
WR, USC
When was the last time there wasn’t a loaded wide receiver class? Year after year, the NFL is flooded with premier pass-catching talent—2024 is no different.
While there were plenty of names circled on the roster heading into Senior Bowl week, Rice stood out from the pack day after day. His physicality was infectious, as was his ability to stay calm through consistent heavy contact from defensive backs that would be penalties in a game setting.
USC just builds a different breed of wide receivers. Don’t forget there is more than one big-name legacy receiver in this class.
Quinyon Mitchell
CB, Toledo
Jim Nagy and his staff do an excellent job finding under-the-radar corners to being to Mobile. More often than not, they make headlines for all the right reasons (shoutout to Riq Woolen).
This year, Toledo supplied the standout cornerback of the 2024 Senior Bowl. Mitchell not only looked like he belonged, but he thrived against Power Five talent rep after rep, day after day. There was some first-round buzz heading into the week, but the sideline conversations turned from that to “Could he be CB1?”. Mitchell’s ball skills and instincts could make him an instant impact player on Sundays.
Roman Wilson
WR, Michigan
Wilson will be the most common offensive name on "Senior Bowl winners" lists and it's well deserved. His smooth route-running stood out and he had more than his fair share of "wow" plays as well. Wilson stole the show on days one and two of practice and only put quality reps on tape. He looks like part of a day-two pick who could make a quick impact in the NFL.
Spencer Rattler
QB, South Carolina
No quarterback was otherworldly in Mobile, mainly due to the practice structure, but Rattler appeared poised, decisive, and fundamentally sound from the first moment he stepped into Hancock Whitney Stadium. He reminded scouts of the flashes of greatness he's displayed in the past and that there are more than just two or three good passers in the draft class. He shouldn't be in any first-round mocks, but Rattler should not be forgotten about on day two. I'd argue he was the best-performing Senior Bowl quarterback.
Honorable Mentions (great players who maintained high draft stock): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma); Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA); T'Vondre Sweat (IDL, Texas); Kingsley Suamataia (OT, BYU); Ladd McConkey (WR, Georgia)
