10 players who boosted their draft stock at 2022 Senior Bowl
By Jerry Trotta
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Playing in a run-heavy offense at North Dakota State, Watson has flown under the radar as an NFL prospect. However, his skills and size (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) were impossible to miss in a talented wide receiver pool in Mobile.
Watson’s releases at the line of scrimmage and route-running ability are rare for a player with his build. As expected, the former Bison star excelled after the catch and dominated opposing defensive backs at the catch point all the while showing excellent body control in the air.
Calvin Austin, WR, Memphis
Austin’s short-area acceleration helped him create separation all week in Mobile. Unlike the aforementioned Watson, Austin’s smaller 5-foot-7, 173-pound frame forces him to make his money closer to the ground.
If there was a player at the Senior Bowl who best played to his strengths, it was the Memphis wideout. Whether faced with press or off coverage, Austin’s low-gravity route running and top-end speed had cornerbacks chasing shadows.
Calvin Austin: Cushion Destroyer pic.twitter.com/P4DfHwML0x
— Joe Broback (@joebroback) February 2, 2022
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Pickett is widely regarded as the safest pick among QBs in this year’s class. That didn’t change this week in Alabama.
Much has been made about Pickett’s hand size, and his struggles in the rainy conditions means that discourse isn’t going anywhere. However, he was methodical in the red zone and draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic reported that the 23-year-old easily gave the best interviews of any quarterback.That’s open for interpretation, but it’s still a ringing endorsement of Pickett nonetheless.
Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
If a draft analyst doesn’t have Johnson as their top-ranked guard, he’s probably 1a or number two. Projected as a second-round pick before the Senior Bowl, the Boston College behemoth might’ve played his way into the first 25 picks.
The big takeaway from Johnson’s time in Mobile was that he took some reps at the center position after playing tackle and guard throughout his college career. After looking unsure of himself at an unfamiliar position early on, Johnson looked right at home at center, which should make him an even more appealing prospect.