Senior Bowl

Senior Bowl 2024: Top 10 prospects who raised their stock on the Eagles draft board

After three days of intense competition, the National and American teams will play the 75th annual Senior Bowl this Saturday. The practices and individual drills leading up to the Senior Bowl provide NFL teams with valuable information on players who may rise or fall on their big board. Here are my top ten players who fit the Eagles’ needs and raised their draft stock with their performance down in Mobile.

1) CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo (6-0, 196 lbs)

Few players did more for their draft stock during Senior Bowl practices than Quinyon Mitchell. Every rep he took in Mobile was a must-watch, as he dominated in one-on-one coverage drills. His skill set is tailor-made for the Eagles’ new defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, as Mitchell excels in a zone scheme where he can showcase his prowess in off-coverage and effectively read developing routes.

Every rep from Quinyon Mitchell on Day 2 of Senior Bowl practice

2) DL Darius Robinson, Missouri (6-5, 296 lbs)

The Missouri defensive lineman is a rare, versatile pass rusher capable of creating pressure from the interior or off the edge. His dominance in every rep during Senior Bowl practices impressed each day, and his weight doesn’t reflect on his frame, making him a freakishly strong and quick pass rusher. Robinson is essentially a Howie Roseman lab-created defensive lineman with his versatility and bag of pass-rush moves.

3) EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA (6-5, 265 lbs)

Latu possesses the complete package of pass-rush moves, which he utilized to beat almost every tackle he faced in Mobile. He remained composed on the reps he lost and returned to the drill with an extra fire, usually ending in a win. Latu’s 13 sacks led the Pac-12 last season, cementing him as a Day One-ready NFL pick. His run defense and strength on the line will improve during an NFL offseason, and Latu could find himself going in the Top 15 of April’s draft, outside of the Eagles’ range.

4) OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State (6-6, 334 lbs)

Fuaga’s massive frame, incredible strength, and impressive fluidity make him a versatile player who can excel in both the run and pass game. During his three seasons at Oregon State, PFF attributed zero sacks to Fuaga in his 734 career pass-block snaps. The Oregon State product is a mauler with vice grips for hands in the run game. Most mock drafts have the Eagles selecting an heir to Lane Johnson, and Fuaga provides an immediate starter who can begin at right guard and transition to right tackle during his time at Jeff Stoutland University.

Tailese Fuaga vs. Laiatu Latu in a 1v1 rep in Senior Bowl practice

5) WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia (6-0, 185 lbs)

Why not continue the Philadelphia Bulldogs’ trend, except this time on offense with Georgia’s silky smooth receiver Ladd McConkey? Despite injuries resulting in underwhelming statistics last season, McConkey’s agility, route running, and reliable hands make him a valuable asset in the passing game. Ladd’s threat as a slot weapon with quick footwork underneath and a deep threat makes him an intriguing prospect to fill the Eagles’ slot wide receiver spot. Additionally, McConkey’s special team’s contributions as both a returner and gunner improve the Eagles’ third phase.

Ladd McConkey putting defenders on skates practicing for the Senior Bowl

6) WR Roman Wilson, Michigan (6-0, 192 lbs)

The Wolverine wide receiver’s speed and agility make him a potent threat downfield, allowing him to separate from defenders and create big-play opportunities as he did on multiple reps at Senior Bowl practices. Wilson and Quinyon Mitchell became the premier matchup for one-on-one reps, and it was a battle every time. Providing Jalen Hurts with another versatile weapon in the passing game can only improve this offense that’s struggled to find a slot receiver.

7) LB Payton Wilson, NC State (6-4, 238 lbs)

Possibly one of my favorite prospects to watch tape on, Wilson’s pure speed, change of direction, and instinct make him a complete linebacker. His rare combination of sideline-to-sideline speed, blitzing ability, and agility make him a shutdown defender in coverage and a versatile blitzer. Wilson stood out in one-on-one drills, showcasing his ability to handle a variety of responsibilities in the passing game.

His wrestling background, winning the 2017 North Carolina State Championship in High School, helps him understand leverage when shedding blocks. Wilson also played midfield in lacrosse, adding another dynamic advantage to his vision and play recognition. He may need to put on weight and add strength during an NFL offseason. Still, Payton Wilson’s explosive movement, coverage ability, and impact against the run make him a compelling prospect for the Eagles, who continue to pass on upgrading their linebacking core.

8) TE Theo Johnson, Penn State (6-6, 264 lbs)

Theo’s diverse skill set bodes well for his transition to the NFL, and he’s showing it down in Mobile. Known for his reliable hands and willingness to make tough catches in traffic, Johnson has shown steady improvement over his college career and during Senior Bowl drills. Additionally, Theo’s competitive demeanor and run-after-catch ability make him a significant threat over the middle of the field. The loss of Dallas Goedert loomed large over the Eagles’ disappointing 2023 season, so adding another pass-catcher and blocker to bolster their tight end unit would make sense come draft night.

9) OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma (6-7, 327 lbs)

Initially enrolling at TCU as a tight end/tackle, Guyton transferred to Oklahoma, where he moved to right tackle and never looked back. He didn’t allow a sack in 335 pass-block snaps last season. Guyton stands out among many talented linemen this year because of his superior athleticism, which Jeff Stoutland loves.

Despite his quickness to pull and speed to maul defenders in the second level of the run game, Guyton is still a work in progress with his pass protection. He sometimes struggles to keep his leverage with that large frame. That’s where Jeff Stoutland University comes in to fix those problems. The sky’s the limit for Guyton, and if anyone can bring the most out of this athletic offensive lineman, it’s Jeff Stoutland.

10) RB MarShawn Lloyd, USC (5-9, 210 lbs)

The player who used these Senior Bowl practices to showcase his complete skill set as a running back has to be MarShawn Lloyd. Despite only 34 receptions on 50 targets during his college career, Lloyd’s route running and catching ability adds another element to an already versatile runner. With only 289 attempts at South Carolina and USC, Lloyd doesn’t have the typical wear-and-tear with which most running back prospects entering the NFL draft. His jump cuts dazzled during team scrimmages, but his route-running stood out. MarShawn quickly got open against almost every safety or linebacker stacked against him in one-on-one drills.

MarShawn Llloyd puts defenders on skates at Senior Bowl practice

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