Senior Bowl: Rising and falling NFL draft stock

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The Senior Bowl is in the books.

This year’s class of talent wasn’t as abundant as years past, but some prospects were able to help their cause and others have to hope for a better showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and their pro days.

Whose stock rose and whose fell?

I broke it down:

Stock rising

Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio)
His athleticism really stood out. He already had really good size. Had a pick in the Senior Bowl and may have cemented his status as a first-round pick. Not bad for a guy who played one year of college football.

Nate Orchard, OLB/DE, Utah
Nobody doubted his ability to rush the QB, but Orchard showed throughout the week that he’s not a one-trick pony. He made plays all over the field during the practices.

Miami Hurricanes
“The U” showed up all week, especially Phillip Dorsett, who was named top wide receiver for the week and made some spectacular grabs. Tight end Clive Walford looked like a solid route-runner who caught everything. He could easily be the first tight end off the board.

Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
Scouts like his strength and agility. The coaches voted him the week’s top offensive lineman. Coming from coach Dave Cutcliffe’s program, Tomlinson shouldn’t have any issues in pass protection.

Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson
Pretty much did it all: ran well, tackled well, covered well. Named the top linebacker for the week. He hasn’t been talked about much, but watch his stock soar throughout the pre-draft process.

Falling stock

Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
He still has plenty to prove about his ability to play in a conventional, pro-style offense. Was erratic all week and in the game, missing a wide-open receiver, getting picked and completing most of his passes to checkdowns.

Josh Shaw, CB, Southern California
He’s big and physical but lacks great instincts and gets caught out of position. Drew a pass interference call in the game when he ran into a receiver instead of playing the ball.

Shane Carden, QB, East Carolina
Didn’t show a very strong or accurate arm. He looked like a mediocre quarterback throughout the week and wasn’t able to put those issues behind him in the game.

T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pitt
No doubt he’s got talent and a strong body to plow in the running game, but he needs to improve pass protection, where he struggled with his technique. He could still be the first tackle taken in the draft.

Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington
Good straight-line pass rusher but doesn’t have enough body to play the run in a 4-3 or the agility to drop and cover in a 3-4. He’s too one-dimensional to be a high draft pick.

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