Senior Bowl Day 1 observations and takeaways
I'm not down in Mobile, but I've got the tape!
The East-West Shrine Bowl has come to an end, and now it’s time to move on to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
A healthy number of players in my top-50 dropped out of the event. This includes players like Arizona safety Genesis Smith, Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey, Alabama wideout Germie Bernard, and more.
However, this means the spotlight is bigger for the players who did make the trip! And while I also did not make the trip to Alabama after an icy week in Frisco, Texas, I do have access to the practice tape.
So, who stood out from the first day of the Senior Bowl? I’ve digested all of the tape, and I have thoughts.
Lee Hunter looks like the best 2026 NFL Draft prospect in Mobile
Coming into the Senior Bowl, Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter was already 34th on my big board.
Only two other players on my big board who are at the Senior Bowl are ranked higher (Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks and Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood). And he’s off to a hot start down in Mobile, looking like perhaps the best player on the field.
Hunter has been unblockable in one-on-ones, winning with both speed and power up front. He’s unbelievably explosive for a man of his size and build, but is playing with fast and active hands when it’s his time to showcase his talent in front of NFL scouts.
However, my biggest gripe with Hunter’s profile has been his prowess as an intentional pass rusher, and in 11-on-11s, this was still the case. We’ll see if that can improve the rest of the week.
