
The NFL Draft is a little over 2 months away and Draft Season is already upon us. This past week I had the opportunity to watch all the film from the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl practices and came away impressed with many players and have added even more to my watchlist for before this year’s draft.
Below I have the 5 Biggest Draft Risers of the week. Players who entered Mobile with question marks and Mid-round grades and leave as some of the most anticipated players at their positions. But how high did these players climb?
Malik Willis
QB Liberty #7
In a week where the other Quarterback’s struggled, Willis flashed the upside that has teams considering a move up into the top 10. He worked through progressions well all week especially in the redzone, and possessed the biggest arm of all the passers in Mobile. He also showed off the highly sought after ability to extend plays with his legs and avoid sacks, while delivering accurate and high velocity throws off platform. He still has areas for improvement including his footwork and consistent accuracy and will be a large project for whatever staff calls his name on draft day. But Willis had about as good a week at the Senior Bowl as a QB can hope for winning American Team QB of the Week, Impressing multiple coaching staffs in interviews, and showing off the best tools of any QB prospect in Mobile.
Jermaine Johnson
EDGE FSU #96
Jermaine Johnson entered day 1 as the obvious best player in Mobile and that fact did not change throughout the week. A nightmare matchup for any tackle in one on ones. He showed off incredible hand strength, speed, bend, and a multitude of rush moves that have the Seminole in consideration for a top-15 pick. Not many holes to poke or negatives to bring up in everything he put on tape. Simply Dominant and a day one difference maker for whatever team calls his name.
Jalen Pitre
DB Baylor #8
Pitre is one of my favorite players and one of many Baylor players I love in the draft, and who performed incredibly in Mobile. Pitre’s movement ability and instincts were on full display as he broke up passes left and right in the 7’s and 11’s periods. Coaches moved him all over and he never showed discomfort whether lined up as the single-high, deep-half, in the box, or even lining up in the slot and outside. He’s a beast and proved his name should be heard in the top 50 selections. He was also voted the top Safety on the National Team.
Travis Jones
DT UConn #57
Travis Jones put a lot of Guards on the ground this week. One on One periods were just a Travis highlight reel. The man did not lose. Humongous frame, explosive off the snap, huge punch, quick and strong hand fighter. The offense learned quickly after the first day that doubling Jones is a must, and even through the constant bodies in his path Travis still disrupted plays on a regular basis. There really isn’t much more to ask for when looking at what he put on tape all week. After 3 practices and an impressive showing in the game, Travis might have jumped his way from day 2 to day 3 pick, into the 1st round. He was also named National Team DL of the Week.
Christian Watson
WR NDSU #1
If you were to create an X receiver in a laboratory, the result probably looks something similar to Christian Watson. Coming in at 6’4 with long arms Watson has one of the best catch radius in this class which he constantly showed off in Mobile whether it was snagging passes off his shoelaces or jumping for contested passes, Watson will be an inaccurate passers best friend. And while his size is his most noticeable trait, he’s no slouch when it comes to his burst and route running prowess. Reportedly running a 4.4 40 yard dash in his time at NDSU, Watson brings a rare blend of speed, size and smoothness to his game that NFL offenses crave. Like many others on this list, he was named the top Wideout on the National Team.
Draft season is in full swing, be sure to tune back in for more Prospect breakdowns! Follow me on twitter @FrankiesFilm and visit us right back here on FrankiesFilm.com for all the best discussions on NFL and Broncos football!