Up:
4. DT Aaron Donald, Pitt
I've spent time writing about Aaron Donald in this space before. He's lightning-fast, instinctive and productive. Michael Felder even made him his No. 1-ranked player in our CFB 250 series.
Donald's only real knock is his height, but during the week of practices against the best senior offensive linemen in the nation, he excelled at every stop. Donald used his lower center of gravity to fire off the ball and make himself a tiny target for the hands of interior blockers. And with his outstanding first-step quickness added on to his small target area, he was able to consistently get into the backfield and make plays.
The Senior Bowl is great at allowing evaluators to compare players side-by-side, and seeing Donald work the top linemen in the nation has him moving up my board.
3. DE Dee Ford, Auburn
The flashiest performer of Senior Bowl week was, without question, Auburn pass-rusher Dee Ford. The smooth, sleek, explosive edge-defender was all over the field making plays. And his raw speed was undeniable from the stands.
Ford jumped out on film, too, but you always wondered where you'd play him in the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars staff answered that question this week by allowing him to line up at both left and right defensive end in a base 4-3 set. He flourished no matter the side of the line and no matter who tried to block him.
The best fit for Ford moving ahead is likely at outside linebacker, but a big week here has pushed him into late first- or early second-round territory.
2. CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska
The buzz around practices was that NFL teams are now looking for the big, long, aggressive cornerback to fit into press coverage schemes. In short, teams want the next Richard Sherman.
Stanley Jean-Baptiste isn't quite Richard Sherman, but coaches and scouts will see a lot of similarities and a clay they can work with in his Nebraska game film and the abilities shown in practice. Jean-Baptiste has the frame (6'2 3/8", 215 lbs) and the fluid hips and feet to play in press coverage at the next level.
Some may knock his hip technique or how high he plays, but when you're over 6'2", you won't be as flexible as a smaller cornerback. That's OK, because a smaller cornerback can't press and jam like he can.
Don't be surprised to hear Jean-Baptiste's name called at the end of Day 1 or very early on Day 2.
1. DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
The only man I was physically afraid to get in front of this week was Minnesota's Ra'Shede Hageman. At an even 6'6" and 318 lbs, he towered over the competition. Literally.
Hageman's film showed an impressive, and at times dominant, defensive tackle. My biggest question mark heading into the week was his ability to play with leverage. It's fine to be 6'6" as a defensive tackle, but can you get low? Can you make yourself a small target for blockers? Hageman didn't always do this at Minnesota, but in Mobile, the switch was flipped and he started dominating.
Seeing Hageman develop throughout the week was eye-opening. And with his God-given length, burst and strength, he shines as a scheme-versatile defender able to play in a conventional 4-3, 3-4 or the trendier hybrid fronts. Teams that want him should be ready to spend a pick inside the first 20 to get him.
Down:
2. OLB Adrian Hubbard, Alabama
Like Michael Sam, Adrian Hubbard was asked to be something he's not this week—a 4-3 outside linebacker.
Hubbard made his living at Alabama as an edge-rushing linebacker, but never as a player dropping into coverage and making plays in space. Hubbard needs to be moving forward, not backward, when the ball is snapped. Playing in a base 4-3 scheme this week, he's been flat, stiff and out of position.
That may hurt Hubbard when it comes time to evaluate the Senior Bowl, but teams also know he's best served as a 3-4 outside linebacker. That said, he has to learn to play lower and with more flexibility regardless of the scheme. Even 3-4 outside linebackers have to play in coverage.
1. CB Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
A torn ACL suffered in practice destroys the draft stock of the best cornerback on the field early in the week. Now Aaron Colvin is off to have surgery next week, confirmed by Senior Bowl staff in an announcement to the media Wednesday.
Colvin was a solid top-50 player for me heading into the week. Now, with his 2014 season in question, he should be expected to drop to at least the fifth-round range of the draft.
