2025 NFL Draft Stock Up
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State
Zabel was voted the best practice player by the NFL teams, so he really helped himself in Mobile. All week, Zabel did a good job in the pass-rushing one-on-ones, showing his ability to battle against power or speed rushes. Zabel also showed flexiblity to play tackle, guard, or center. For the NFL, Zabel could be a starting candidate at tackle, but he might be more dominant if he is kicked inside to center. After his excellent week of practice, Zabel could be a top-50 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo had a tremendous week of practice in Mobile, and he looks like a first- or second-round pick, depending on his medical evaluation. In the first quarter, Arroyo used his big size to win a contested catch to haul in a two-point conversion. Arroyo showed that he is a receiving weapon with good quickness, athleticism, route running, and size all week. Arroyo helped himself, showing three-down starter ability and mismatch potential.
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Taylor is another tight end prospect who has helped himself and made money in Mobile. He had a strong start on Tuesday and was superb on Wednesday. In the one-on-ones, Taylor torched Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman Jr. on a deep corner post. In the team scrimmage, Taylor was moving the chains, getting open on an out route. A few plays later, Taylor leaped over Auburn linebacker Jalen McLeod and then showed strong hands holding onto the ball when McLeod tried to smack it out. Taylor is a polished tight end who is a good athlete, an excellent route-runner, has quickness and reliable hands. He also can block and has very good feel in coverage. His NFL pedigree is apparent, and Taylor could be a top-50 pick next April.
Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Bech had a strong week of practice, and he played well on Saturday. Bech caught a few passes to move the chains before he went up high to haul in a 39-yard catch over a defender to set up a first-and-goal. If Jaxson Dart had not underthrown the ball, Bech could have had a long touchdown. But with Dart poorly locating the pass, Bech had to leap over a safety to get the completion. In the fourth quarter, Bech got wide-open for a short touchdown, but Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan never looked in Bech’s direction. But on the game’s final play, on a rollout, Henigan fired a pass a little low, and Bech went down to cradle it in for a short touchdown pass that won the game 22-19 for the American team. It was an incredible way for Bech to end the game with a walk-off winner. Bech could be a mid-round pick next April that turns into a contributing rotational receiver.
Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
Farmer has had a strong week of practice overall at the Senior Bowl, and some team sources really like Farmer. For the NFL, Farmer has some serious strength and power to generate a push into the backfield and hold his ground as a run defender. Sources who are not as high on Farmer say he has some issues finding the ball, doesn’t use his hands well to shed blocks, and question his instincts. The evaluators who really like him feel he is extremely strong and physical at the point of attack. Thus, Farmer is on the bubble of being a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
Johnson has also had a good week of practice. Johnson has some serious speed with suddness, a quick release off the line, and a burst out of his break. Along with short area speed, Johnson has a second gear to explode down the field. He could be a nice rotational backup who is a deep threat while also being a player who can uncover underneath. Johnson lacks size for the NFL as he is very small, but he could be a dangerous speed threat to challenge defenses.
Shemar Stewart, S, Texas A&M
Stewart has received some first-round projections from some draft pundits, and Stewart flashed some of that ability in the Senior Bowl practices. He has a lot of talent with natural size, speed, and power. However, he needs development and is not polished. Stewart has a ton of physical talent, but lacks instincts and needs a lot of development. Hence, Stewart is more of a candidate to be a late first or second-round pick.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College
Ezeiruaku is an undersized speed rusher, but in Mobile, he showed that he fights hard and competes well for his size as a run defender. Ezeiruaku was a pass-rushing force for Boston College in 2024 with 16.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 80 tackles, and one pass broken up. Ezeiruaku (6-2, 247) is undersized, but he fights hard as a run defender and could be a starting outside linebacker who also rushes off the edge in the NFL.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
The week of practice in Mobile and the Senior Bowl game did help Milroe’s draft grade. Milroe showed he is far from being ready to function as a pro team’s starting quarterback. Milroe has issues with reading coverage and throwing accurately in the short to intermediate part of the field. It would have been in Milroe’s best interest to continue his development at the college level, but he decided to enter the draft. Milroe could be in store for a significant slide in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon
Conerly Jr. had an ugly practice on Wednesday. On top of his losses to Green, Conerly lost an ugly rep to Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku on a swim move to shed the block and Ezeiruaku darting past Conerly for a sack. Conerly is a good athlete with quickness and smooth feet. However, Conerly needs to get stronger. He has to get stronger in his base and improve his anchor. Conerly might need a year of development as a backup before he is ready to be trusted as a pass protector for a pro quarterback. As a pro, Conerly could be better off moving inside to guard.
