MOBILE, Ala. — The process of evaluating college upperclassmen for the NFL draft began in earnest this week at the Senior Bowl between the practices and Saturday’s all-star game.
The Miami Dolphins, along with the other 31 NFL teams, were represented in Mobile, Alabama, to watch prospects work out, go through drills and ultimately compete in the exhibition.
With general manager Chris Grier, assistant general manager Marvin Allen and special advisor Dan Marino among the Dolphins’ brass on hand, Miami, while looking for traits it likes at any position to find gems, likely had an extra focus on the offensive line, wide receivers, running backs and linebackers.
With the Senior Bowl complete, the draft’s scouting combine takes place in early March before the draft that runs from April 28-30.
Here are 10 prospects who improved their draft stock throughout the week in Mobile:
Edge Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
He has one of the best stories in the draft, going from starting his college career in junior college where he was featured on Netflix series ‘Last Chance U’ to a possible first-round pick. Johnson exhibited why he was ACC Defensive Player of the Year in the practice week. He checks all the boxes of what you want in a defensive end/outside linebacker between his pass-rushing skills and ability to set the edge against the run, with an impressive work ethic to boot. It would be tough to imagine him ending up in Miami with his rising stock, the Dolphins’ position in the draft and, unless Miami loses Emmanuel Ogbah in the offseason, not a pressing need for a defensive end.
OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
The great thing about Penning is he was about as solid as can be all week at left tackle. The bad thing for the Dolphins is, with the No. 29 pick, they’re unlikely to have him fall to them. Maybe they’d have a better chance if they still had their own pick, No. 15, which was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles. Penning plays with a mean streak and has all the tools you’re looking for from a tackle at the next level.
QB Malik Willis, Liberty
The Dolphins presumably aren’t in the market for a quarterback, even after Willis flashed his physical traits all week. The strong arm was on display as he registered one throw at 74 mph, the fastest since Zebra Technology put chips in footballs at the Senior Bowl in 2018. He showed the ability to scramble and be elusive in the pocket on multiple occasions, as well as make fine decisions, in Saturday’s game as he started for the American Team. National starter Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh, who will now have to hear any and everything about his hand size (only 9 inches) through the draft, also fared well, but Willis won the week.
OL Zion Johnson, Boston College
The Dolphins don’t just need tackles. They’ll likely need to add interior offensive linemen with only right guard Robert Hunt a definitive starting-caliber player at his position. Johnson was most impressive among guards and centers, and he was awarded the Senior Bowl Practice Player of the Week.
WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State
Already highly touted coming in, the 6-foot-4 Watson impressed all week and was named the top wide receiver on the National Team. On Saturday, he got open down the field and made an athletic diving catch on underthrown ball by Pickett, but more impressively, he knew to get up right away and run in a quick transition to NFL rules from college. Memphis wideout Calvin Austin earned the other team’s top receiver recognition, and South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert is another one who impressed, playing in his home stadium.
TE Trey McBride, Colorado State
The John Mackey Award winner for the best college football tight end in the nation excelled throughout the week as the most consistent tight end among the group. He capped the successful showing with a touchdown in Saturday’s game, found wide open in the flat on a play-action misdirection. If Mike Gesicki leaves in free agency, McBride could be one to look into. Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson also looked good with a run after catch for a touchdown on Saturday.
LB Brian Asamoah II, Oklahoma
Asamoah was named the top linebacker on the National Team in a vote by offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs who practiced against him in practice. He could be someone the Dolphins look into beginning on Day 2 of the draft. If Miami keeps most of its defense intact, linebacker would be the most likely position where they look to add.
RB Abram Smith, Baylor
The running backs who were most impressive on the teams were Smith and Alabama’s Brian Robinson, which you probably have already seen more of in college. Smith scored the first touchdown of Saturday’s exhibition off a screen, and in a sign of the team player he is, he handed the ball to right tackle Daniel Faalele of Minnesota, who has been mocked to Miami, to spike the ball in the end zone. With a need to improve the run game, the Dolphins could be eyeing a running back in Day 2 or 3 of the draft.
Edge DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
Malone would need to gain weight to be an every-down edge defender who can stand up against the run, but the 234-pound former receiver is an exceptional pass rusher. He showed tremendous ability to get off the line of scrimmage at the snap and rushes with a strong motor. Although he’s light, he can bring physicality on the pass rush with his bull rush. He had a sack in the game on Saturday. Minnesota’s Boya Mafe also impressed with a strip-sack on North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and persistent pressure.
S Jalen Pitre, Baylor
Pitre had great hips, was light on his feet and showed closing speed in coverage, especially in one-on-one reps in practice against wide receivers. He also earned a positional honor for the week. The other Baylor safety, JT Woods, also made a lasting impression with a sealing interception in the final seconds Saturday.
Others to note: Connecticut defensive tackle Travis Jones was a physical bully against offensive linemen. Cincinnati defensive end Myjai Sanders embarrassed Faalele in a one-on-one drill, sending him to the ground on a spin move. Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall made an exceptional special teams tackle covering a punt return, showing his hustle and willingness to contribute in that aspect of the game. The NFL Network cameras caught Appalachian State linebacker D’Marco Jackson leading the huddle for his team at one point, and he looked to have good command of the unit.
