They say the NFL Draft starts in Mobile, and so does fantasy football. With the current college landscape and players staying in school longer than ever before, the talent at the Senior Bowl gets better every year. Seahawks linebacker Gray Zabel, last season’s practice MVP and Quinyon Mitchell, a star the year before, made a splash last Saturday and raised their NFL draft stock rankings? Football analyst Joel Smyth breaks down the future fantasy rookies who became Senior Bowl champions.
WR Malachi Field, Notre Dame
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Projected draft round: Second round
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Fields will be one of the top receivers available this April, a prospect that was solidified after his Senior Bowl week. After four years at Virginia, Fields transferred to Notre Dame for his final season. His raw production dropped slightly, but Fields played a vital role in a Notre Dame offense known for its running game.
At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he is a dangerous playmaker who averaged 17.5 yards per catch last season. Yes, his catching ability is a strength, but unlike many young big men, he doesn’t rely solely on his size. This practice week gives him a chance to showcase his strong route running skills, reliable hands and the versatility that NFL teams are looking for. I’d be excited to see Notre Dame WR land in Las Vegas with Fernando Mendoza as his new X receiver, or a team in need like the Saints or Giants.
​QB Garrett Nussmeier, Louisiana State University
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Projected draft round: Third round​
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Senior Bowl MVP Nussmeier passed for 57 yards and rushed for a touchdown. His interception came on a well-placed pass from deep midfield that sailed through the hands of his tight end. Nussmeier had some top-10 NFL Draft hype last summer but has cooled off, but after this week’s practice he looked like another NFL quarterback passed up from LSU.
Now healthy, Nussmeier is looking more like himself after struggling in the final two games of the season. One interesting storyline to watch is New Orleans’ lure for Nasmeir, whose father is the team’s offensive coordinator. The Saints named Doug Nussmeier, who served as quarterback for the 1996 and 1997 seasons, as his first-ever offensive coordinator with his former NFL team.
Running back Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
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Projected draft round: Fifth round
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Washington’s best seasons have come against its best opponents. After walks in Buffalo and New Mexico State, Washington Jr. transferred to Arkansas for his fifth year and efficiently racked up nearly 1,300 yards. In four games against top-25 opponents, Washington averaged 125 yards per game, causing his draft stock to rise into the upper half of Day Three.
NFL offenses rely on Day 3 shooting backs to handle the volume, and Washington is even better equipped to handle a larger workload than the average 6-foot-2, 223-pound player. In recent history alone, Chase Brown, Bucky Irving and Kyren Williams have been drafted from Day 3 to starting linebackers.
RB Jaydon Ott, Oklahoma State
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Projected draft round: Seventh round​
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Ott needed a positive Senior Bowl experience more than almost anyone this past week after coming off an underwhelming senior season at Cal-Berkeley. After two incredible seasons for the running back, Ott was hampered by injuries and moved to Oklahoma State for a fresh start.
Until last week, when his draft stock took a nosedive, Ott looked healthy and was performing well in clutch situations. Several scouts noticed the senior running back’s pass blocking, which is a key factor in playing time for rookie running backs, especially those drafted in the later rounds.
WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
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Projected draft round: Fifth round
Coleman, playing for his third team in as many years, had 66 receptions for the Missouri Tigers in 2025 after catching 74 as a junior at Mississippi State. While consistency is his strength in 2024, the opposite was true for the senior WR last season.
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Coleman had four catches in 2024, a season-low, and had five or more catches in 11 of 12 games. However, after another transfer, Coleman failed to post 5+ receptions in consecutive weeks after the first month of the season, which included three games with less than 5 total receiving yards. His strengths lie in catching the ball and his versatility as a playmaker or a long-term punt returner.
WR Tyron Montgomery, John Carroll
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Projected draft round: Sixth round
The Senior Bowl provides draft hopefuls a chance to shine, especially for those who may not often face quality competition. Montgomery set a school record with 119 catches, but John Carroll faced opponents that typically didn’t have NFL talent.
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Montgomery proved in practice last week that he’s more than just a product of the game. His path is simply ridiculous. After playing college basketball at LSU, Montgomery eventually transitioned to football as a walk-on in Houston. He has never worn shoulder pads and has no high school football experience and is now expected to be drafted into the NFL. The talent is there and this could be a great coaching opportunity for an NFL WR coach.
RB Kaelon Black, Indiana
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Projected draft round: Seventh round
Fresh off a national championship game, Blackburn could have chosen to stay on the sidelines, and no one would have blamed him. Instead, he put his seatbelt back on and immediately went back to work. The former James Madison RB who followed the head coach to Indiana saved his best for last. In IU’s final five games of the season, Black rushed for over 60 yards per game and added five rushing touchdowns. Keep in mind, these are against defenses like Ohio State, Oregon and Miami that are part of the backfield by committee.
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He won’t be a dominant player in the league, but that doesn’t mean the Indians RB can’t continue to make important contributions as a role player. He showed it again in Mobile, including showing off his catching ability, and could be a Day 3 rookie this April.
