If your team’s in the market for offensive firepower this draft season, well… buckle up. Because after a couple days of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, it’s clear this year’s class isn’t exactly overflowing with skill-position stars ready to change a franchise’s fortune.
Quarterbacks? There’s no surefire franchise guy lighting up the field in Alabama.
Running backs and tight ends? Same story - a clear top name, then a steep drop-off.
Wide receivers offer a little more depth, but the top-tier talents aren’t even in Mobile this week. So if you're a team like the Browns or Jets, hoping to find a difference-maker on offense, you're probably watching these practices with a growing sense of urgency.
Defensive Fronts Steal the Show
Tuesday’s practice belonged to the National defense. After a relatively even showing on Monday, the defensive line turned up the heat and overwhelmed the offense. We're talking at least four would-be sacks in team drills - and that’s against an offensive line that held its own the day before.
Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter continued to look like a wrecking ball in the middle, dominating as both a pass rusher and a run stuffer. But he wasn’t alone.
Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Utah’s Logan Fano, Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker, and Penn State’s Zane Durant all made their presence felt.
The pocket was collapsing fast and often.
One of the biggest plays of the day came from Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who forced a fumble and later capped off practice with an interception. That pick came after Tucker bull-rushed his way into the quarterback’s legs, forcing an errant throw. It was the kind of sequence that gets scouts scribbling notes in all caps.
Meanwhile, the American team defense - dominant on Monday - showed some vulnerability against the run on Tuesday. Offenses found a little more room on off-tackle and edge runs.
But even with that, the quarterbacks still had a tough time. More sacks.
More pressure. More interceptions.
Zero touchdown passes in team drills.
Let that sink in.
Stock Up
Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
Tucker’s been one of the most disruptive players in Mobile so far. On Tuesday, he blew past Boise State’s Kage Casey for a would-be sack, then followed it up by bulldozing Washington’s Carver Willis into the quarterback’s legs - a hit that led directly to a Jacob Rodriguez interception.
Tucker might not come from a Power Five program, but his tape this week is speaking loudly. He’s got the kind of motor and raw power that teams covet off the edge.
And if history tells us anything, the Senior Bowl has been a launchpad for under-the-radar pass rushers. He’s making a strong case to hear his name called in the top 75 picks.
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Rodriguez came into Mobile with momentum, having already taken home the Butkus Award.
He’s only added to his resume this week. On Tuesday, he was all over the field - stuffing the run, forcing a fumble on Adam Randall, and ending practice with that interception off a pressure-hurried throw.
He’s showing scouts exactly what they want to see from an off-ball linebacker: instincts, range, and playmaking. The buzz around him being a second-round lock is only growing louder.
Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
Every year, a small-school wideout turns heads in Mobile.
This week, that guy might be Tyren Montgomery. He had scouts buzzing on Wednesday with crisp footwork, deceptive route-running, and strong hands - including a grab on a ball thrown behind him in stride.
He did have one contested catch bounce off his chest, but otherwise, it was a near-flawless day. Montgomery’s showing he can compete with higher-level defensive backs, and that’s exactly what evaluators want to see. He’s putting himself in the Day 2 conversation.
Stock Down / Question Marks
Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
It’s been a rough couple of days for Altmyer.
On Wednesday, he missed four throws against air - and that’s before you even get to the team drills. He struggled with accuracy, timing, and didn’t handle pressure particularly well.
To be fair, none of the American team quarterbacks have looked sharp, but Altmyer’s inconsistency is starting to stand out for the wrong reasons.
Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Dixon’s had a mixed bag.
On one hand, he got beat by Texas Tech’s Reggie Virgil on a deep ball and has struggled with double moves. On the other, he made a nice interception on a throw slightly ahead of the receiver.
The tools are there, but he needs to tighten up his technique to finish the week strong.
Both Offensive Lines
Cohesion is always a challenge in an all-star setting, but the offensive lines have had a tough go.
The National team looked better on Tuesday than Wednesday, while the American team has struggled to find any rhythm. Several linemen - including Tuesday standout Gennings Dunker - had trouble handling pass-rush moves.
Scouts will be more focused on individual traits than group performance, but it’s something to monitor as the week goes on.
Quarterback Watch: Still a Murky Picture
Let’s be honest: there hasn’t been a quarterback this week who’s seized the moment. Diego Pavia might be the most consistent of the bunch, but he’s undersized and hasn’t generated starter-level buzz. Cole Payton has shown flashes, especially on Tuesday, but he’s still a project coming out of FCS North Dakota State.
Garrett Nussmeier has done a decent job protecting the football, but he hasn’t wowed anyone. Taylen Green had a couple of nice runs and one deep connection with Malachi Fields, but also threw an interception.
Sawyer Robertson? He’s still struggling.
Right now, Payton might be the best bet to go early - relatively speaking - but it wouldn’t be surprising if most of this quarterback group ends up as Day 3 picks or undrafted.
Final Takeaway
If you're a team looking for a spark on offense, the Senior Bowl hasn't exactly provided a treasure trove of options. But if you're building from the trenches out - especially on defense - there’s real talent to be found. Players like Nadame Tucker and Jacob Rodriguez are making the most of their moment, and that’s what this week is all about.
The quarterbacks still have time to change the narrative, but through two practices, it’s the defenders who are stealing the spotlight.