Wide Receivers to Watch at the Senior Bowl
College all-star game season is in full swing.
From now until the NFL Combine and eventually the NFL Draft in April, college prospects will do everything it takes to raise their draft stock. College all-star games like the Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl are two of the first chances players have to do that. Today, Tuesday, January 30th, Senior Bowl practices begin in Mobile, Alabama, and there are a ton of players to watch.
Carolina enters the 2024 offseason in desperate need of some juice at wide receiver, and there are players participating in Mobile that are worth the squeeze.
Senior Bowl practices are available to watch on the NFL Network, and wide receiver vs cornerback one-on-ones are some of the most interesting drills for a neutral observer. Here are a few receivers to watch in those drills, and throughout Senior Bowl practices this week leading up to Saturday's game.
Devontez Walker - University of North Carolina
If you follow college football, you are likely aware of Walker's bout with the NCAA that transpired last season. He was unable to play for the Tar Heels due to eligibility and transfer issues. Eventually, Walker won the fight, and he suited up for North Carolina to catch passes from presumed top-three draft pick Drake Maye. Fireworks ensued.
Walker combines solid size (6'1, 200 lbs) with explosive speed and acceleration. He's a high-flying wide out with a propensity to make contested catches that leave evaluators with dropped jaws. Walker would be a great weapon to pair with Jonathan Mingo and a veteran free agent wide out to provide support for Bryce Young.
Xavier Legette - University of South Carolina
Legette is a late-blooming prospect who's size jumps off the screen. His Senior Bowl measurements were smaller than expected, but Legette's physical size is still noticeable.
His speed combined with his big, physical frame is an anomaly. Legette uses his speed to win outside the numbers and over the middle on crossing routes. He can win all over the field and on paper he resembles a DK Metcalf-type of player. Who coached DK Metcalf in Seattle? Dave Canales (eyes emoji).
Legette detractors will point to his late breakout age and his limited production outside of his senior season, but his size and speed combo make him worth a look come draft time.
Malachi Corley - Western Kentucky
Corley oozes potential. He only stands at 5'10", but weighs 215 pounds. With the ball in his hands, Corley is a locomotive and near impossible to bring down on the first try. His top-end draft comparison is competing in the Super Bowl in a few weeks. Deebo Samuel.
Dave Canales has an advanced screen game, and Corley would be a perfect player to throw the ball to behind the line of scrimmage to make a play in space. It will be interesting to see him in one-on-one reps at the Senior Bowl because there are question marks about his route-running. However, Corley's knack for making plays with the ball in his hands is unteachable and it shows up on game film, but maybe not on the practice fields in Mobile.
Ladd McConkey - Georgia
McConkey is much more than a gym-rat, first-guy-in-last-guy-out, type of player that he will get pegged as. He's a slick route-runner with above average hands that can make plays all over the field. His route-running ability will shine in practice reps in Mobile and will be fun to watch all week.
These are only four of sixteen receivers that will take the field in Alabama this week looking to raise their draft stock. Be sure to check out full practices or clips to make your own conclusions about these guys and their abilities.
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