I just returned from Mobile, Alabama, the home of the Senior Bowl. This is where the draft starts for much of the NFL community. Getting to be there in person, watching these players, and getting to know some of them have been some of the highlights of my life so far.
It’s such a big event, so breaking down the content needs to be organized, starting by going through each position group. I’ll be honest: The quarterbacks struggled in Mobile, which hurt some of the skill position players.
Going into the week, Milroe had the most to gain from an excellent performance, seeing as he was a late day two or even a day three pick before. Unfortunately, he was inaccurate in the 11-on-11s and even in the one-on-one reps. Milroe was letting defensive backs, hell, even linebackers, manipulate him rather than vice versa. Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser picked him off twice, once on a tip drill, and the other Kiser baited Milroe into a lousy decision, hitting the RB check-down
His deep ball seemed to hang in the air for millennia, forcing multiple receivers to show off their tracking and height point skills. The worst throw was one of the best highlights because of Jack Bech. Jalen hung a vertical down the right sideline where Bech had to track fight back through two defenders and mossed them both. It was one of the week’s best plays and Jalen’s worst.
I continued to say to people that “Jalen Milroe Sucks,” and there wasn’t a single person who tried to fight me on that. I wish the guy well, but he’s borderline undraftable after this week.
Riley Leonard would be a perfect quarterback if all of the military schools started their professional league, and he could run the wing-t at Navy for the next ten years. Alas, they don’t, and he doesn’t have the accuracy or timing needed to be a passer in the NFL.
Leonard routinely tried to put his head down and take off during the scrimmage sessions and struggled with his ball placement in the one-on-ones. He occasionally made a solid throw, but Riley never seemed to string them together. He was probably heading to the 5th round before this week; I expect him to go undrafted and be signed afterward.
Jaxon Dart was getting some buzz about the Giants organization liking him before the week; he didn’t dominate, but he played well and showed what he did at Ole Miss. His first read passes were precise and on time, but the results varied when he had to scan the field and make the play.
He made a couple of wow throws. There was one in red zone work where I believe Jalin Lane, WR VT, ran a comeback to the front right pile-on; Dart hit his back foot and planted it low and away right where it needed to be. He was the most as advertised passer of the bunch. The Giants will move up in the first to take him or do the Will Levis and take him early on day two.
Gabriel was a fringe third-round pick, and after seeing him in person, I think this kid is too small for the NFL. I’m 5’11, 240, and I was definitely bigger than him. He does have tree trunk legs, but I think passing in the middle of the field was a bit of an issue for him in Mobile.
He is much more mobile than I thought, but even with that, a Kyler Murray comparison feels wrong due to how big Gabriel is. His arm talent is impressive for his size, but his processing is suspect at best; multiple reps ended in throwaways or sacks because Dillion didn’t get the ball out at the right time.
Gabriel can be a solid backup with potential, but I doubt he will ever be a full-time starter. He has solid day-three pick potential written all over him.
Shough is the only one who actually got his stock to rise because he was projected to go late on day three. The others were higher already, making it higher for them to rise even with good performances. Shough is not very mobile but has classic size and arm strength for a pocket passer. His issues are more about those traits, not being elite. They are just solid.
He was accurate and showed some touch as well. Watching him in person reminded me of watching Davis Mills, who was drafted late on day two. We could see a similar situation where he could end up with the Raiders or Giants playing mediocre this year and getting replaced by an Arch Manning.
Regardless, though, he played well on the field and was impressed off the field by people who interviewed him.
Seth Hannigan had a rough week, like many of the representatives of the QBs at Mobile. It was already down class for the position, and these performances highlight the difference between Ward, Sanders, and the rest. The Running Back breakdown will be coming next. Be on the lookout for our exclusive interviews on our socials.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
