We’re deep into All-Star season, and while the spotlight is split between the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl practices, NFL scouts are already zeroing in on prospects who could rise up draft boards. This week’s NFL Draft Notebook brings us a handful of names who made the most of their opportunities - whether it was flashing elite traits, answering questions about their game, or simply showing they belong on Sundays.
Cole Wisniewski makes a statement at the Shrine Bowl
If you’re looking for a player who boosted his stock in a big way this week, Texas Tech’s Cole Wisniewski might top the list. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound safety put together a complete performance in Las Vegas, showing off the kind of physicality and instincts that translate well to the next level.
Against the run, Wisniewski was aggressive and decisive - the kind of player who doesn’t hesitate when he sees a crease. He filled lanes with authority and wasn’t shy about lowering the shoulder.
But what might’ve been more impressive was his work in coverage, particularly on Day 2 of practices. He closed space quickly, showed fluid hips, and proved he could hold his own downfield.
In a league where versatility is everything, Wisniewski looks like a guy who can contribute as a strong safety and carve out a role on special teams early in his career.
Iowa duo turns heads
It was a good week to be a Hawkeye. Wide receiver Kaden Wetjen and quarterback Mark Gronowski both made strong impressions at the Shrine Bowl.
Wetjen, in particular, looked like a Day 3 gem in the making. He consistently created separation - especially when defensive backs didn’t get hands on him early.
His quickness off the line and ability to shake defenders in space stood out, and he added value as a kick returner. That versatility could push him into the fourth-round conversation.
Gronowski, meanwhile, didn’t light up the stat sheet this past season - a shoulder injury early in the year played a role there - but he showed off some arm talent during the week. He made several eye-catching throws and reminded scouts that he’s a dual-threat option with upside. For teams looking for a developmental quarterback who can move, he’s worth a look in the later rounds.
Mason Reiger makes his presence felt in the trenches
Wisconsin’s Mason Reiger came into the Shrine Bowl as a bit of an under-the-radar name, but he left with scouts taking notice. The defensive lineman showed real juice off the edge as a pass rusher, and his first-step quickness was hard to miss. He’s not just a one-trick pony, either - Reiger held his ground against the run and flashed the ability to long-arm and control blockers.
Reiger’s production backs up what he showed in practice, with five sacks on the season and a strong pass-rush grade from PFF. He’s gone from a potential UDFA to a player who could hear his name called late on Day 3.
Jadon Canady’s size raises questions
Oregon cornerback Jadon Canady came into the Shrine Bowl with solid tape, but his weigh-in numbers raised some eyebrows. At 5-foot-10 and just 175 pounds, he was the lightest player at the event - and that lack of size could limit his fit at the next level.
While he’s shown he can compete, some teams may take him off their boards entirely if he doesn’t meet their minimum size thresholds. He’ll need to add weight and show he can play through contact to stick in the league.
Darrell Jackson’s measurables turn heads
Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson didn’t even need to take a snap to make a strong impression. At weigh-ins, he measured 6-foot-5, 328 pounds with 35-inch arms - the longest of any player at the Shrine Bowl. That kind of frame is tailor-made for a nose tackle or 1-tech role in the NFL.
He’s a space-eater with the ability to clog running lanes, and his size alone will draw interest from teams looking to solidify the interior of their defensive line. Expect him to come off the board sometime on Day 3.
Vikings eyeing help in the trenches
The Minnesota Vikings may be in the market for a defensive tackle, especially with veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen both on the wrong side of 30. One name to watch at the Senior Bowl is Arkansas’ Cameron Ball.
At 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds, Ball has the frame to anchor the middle of a defensive front, but what really stands out is his movement skills. He’s more agile than you’d expect for a man his size and has put up 8.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. He’s a developmental prospect with upside who could be molded into a future starter.
Falcons searching for a spark in the return game
Special teams were a sore spot for the Atlanta Falcons last season - especially on kickoff returns. They cycled through seven different returners and still finished dead last in the league with just 22.9 yards per return.
Enter Barion Brown. The LSU speedster - who set the SEC record with six career kickoff return touchdowns (five of them at Kentucky) - is a game-breaker with the ball in his hands.
He’ll be at the Senior Bowl this week, and you can bet Falcons scouts will be watching closely. Brown has the kind of explosiveness that can flip field position in an instant.
Fernando Mendoza likely done with pre-draft workouts
Don’t expect to see Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza participating in much of the pre-draft process. According to reports, he won’t throw at the Combine, won’t do a pro day, and won’t even work out for the Raiders. And honestly, there’s not much reason for him to.
After a standout season, Mendoza is widely viewed as the likely No. 1 overall pick. With Oregon’s Dante Moore returning to school, there’s no real challenger for that top spot. For Mendoza, the risk of doing anything that could dent his stock outweighs the reward.
Dolphins could target nickel help
If there’s one area the Miami Dolphins need to shore up, it’s the secondary. They allowed a league-worst 72% completion rate last season - a number that speaks for itself.
That’s where Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds comes in. He’s the top true nickel corner in this year’s draft and just capped off a playoff run where he earned defensive MVP honors in both the Rose and Peach Bowls.
He’s quick, instinctive, and sticky in coverage - everything you want in a slot defender. He’d be a strong Day 2 pick for a team like Miami that needs immediate help in the back end.
Omar Cooper Jr. is electric after the catch
When it comes to creating yards after the catch, few do it better than Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. He’s among the national leaders in forced missed tackles and averages a whopping 7.2 YAC per reception, per PFF.
What makes Cooper stand out is his blend of strength and balance. He doesn’t go down on first contact, runs through arm tackles, and has a knack for turning routine catches into chunk plays.
Add in reliable hands and the ability to make contested grabs, and you’ve got a receiver who can thrive in a possession role. He’s firmly in the third-to-fourth-round mix.
LSU wins the transfer portal
If there were a trophy for transfer portal success, LSU might already have it on the shelf. The Tigers landed three players who project as 2027 NFL Draft picks: quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, and edge rusher Princewill Umanmiel.
Leavitt is a dual-threat QB with 34 touchdowns and just nine picks over the past two seasons. Seaton was the top-rated offensive tackle in the portal and has first-round potential.
And Umanmiel? He’s coming off a nine-sack season at Ole Miss and enters 2026 with a top-50 draft grade.
That’s a big-time haul for LSU - and a sign that the Tigers are reloading, not rebuilding.
With All-Star week in full swing and the Senior Bowl on deck, this is the time when draft boards start to crystallize. For some prospects, it’s about confirming what the tape already shows.
For others, it’s a chance to prove they belong. Either way, the road to the 2026 NFL Draft is heating up - and these names are making sure they’re part of the conversation.