The Shrine Bowl, Senior Bowl and NFL combine represent critical audition stages for draft prospects whose college resumes alone aren’t always enough to lock in a high-round projection. For these players, this pre-draft window is where they either elevate their draft stock or risk sliding when it matters most.
The Shrine Bowl is already in the rearview mirror while the Senior Bowl will take place Saturday in Alabama. The combine is set for late next month.
As players work toward the draft, several will need to continue showing progress to raise their stock or back up early praise.
Caleb Banks – DT, Florida
Banks entered Senior Bowl week with size and athletic traits that have intrigued scouts. In Mobile, he backed that up, showing rare burst, strength, and disruptive play against quality competition. His one-on-ones mainly intrigued viewers, with his ability to hold his own against the run. There are important factors for a prospect of Banks’ caliber, as he needs to stay healthy, but also he finds himself out of position, especially against the run. After a injuries impacted his 2025 season, a dominant Senior Bowl and combine showing could elevate his stock.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, his size isn’t as concerning, as many expect him to test well on the athletic side. After transferring to the University of Florida, Banks would wind up having his best season in 2024. Even with the injury this past season, Banks can still be considered a Day One draft pick.
T.J Parker – Edge, Clemson
The Clemson EDGE entered the Senior Bowl with more questions than answers after a season that didn’t fully match the expectations surrounding him. In Mobile, however, T.J. Parker showed flashes of why scouts were once so high on him, displaying strength at the point of attack and the ability to generate pressure in one-on-one drills. His hand usage stood out at times, though consistency remains a concern.
For Parker, the pre-draft process is about restoring confidence in his projection. Parker was projected to be a top-10 pick at the start of the year. While his athletic profile is still appealing, teams will want to see continued production and fluidity during the combine. A strong testing performance, paired with steady Senior Bowl tape, could help re-establish him as an early-round EDGE option rather than a developmental pick.
Romello Height – DE, Texas Tech
In a defense-heavy draft, Romello Height is one of the more intriguing defenders. During Senior Bowl practices he caught the attention of scouts and media largely due to his motor and ability to threaten the edge with speed. His first step consistently gave offensive linemen issues this week, and he showed the ability to flatten toward the quarterback in pass-rush situations. While he’s not the biggest defensive end in the class, his effort and bend helped him stand out.
That said, Height still has things to prove when it comes to strength and holding up against the run. The combine will be important for validating his athleticism and frame. If he tests well, Height could solidify himself as a Day Two option with pass-rush upside.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – S, Toledo
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is one of the more intriguing Group of Five prospects, bringing physicality and production to the safety position. He shows good instincts and isn’t overwhelmed by the steps up in competition. He collected 11 tackles and forced a fumble against Kentucky in the season opener. His willingness to play downhill and support the run stands out.
The question for McNeil-Warren is range. The combine will be essential in determining whether he has the speed and fluidity teams look for in a modern safety. Strong testing could push him firmly into Day Two consideration.
KC Concepcion – WR, Texas A&M
KC Concepcion has gained a reputation as a productive college receiver. He creates separation with sharp routes and displays reliable hands, particularly in intermediate areas of the field. However, he doesn’t consistently dominate matchups, which leaves questions about his ceiling at the next level. One thing scouts are looking at though, is how well can he play against different defenses. Concepcion is a highly rated man coverage receiver, but not as high against zone. His size might play a factor here, as he is listed at 5-foot-11.
At the combine, Concepcion’s athletic testing will matter more than most. His 40-yard dash will be intriguing to watch as he draws Rashod Bateman or even Doug Baldwin comparisons. If he can test well and confirm his explosiveness, Concepcion could elevate himself from a depth receiver projection to a more defined offensive weapon.
Many have Concepcion as a Day Two or late first-round draft pick, but he can improve his draft stock by showing how explosive his versatility is.
Gennings Dunker – OL, Iowa
Gennings Dunker came into the Senior Bowl viewed as a steady but unspectacular offensive lineman, and his week in Mobile largely reflected that reputation. He held his own in pass protection, showing good balance and patience in his sets, especially against power rushers. His technique stood out more than raw athleticism, which aligns with what teams expect from an Iowa lineman.
Position flexibility will be key for Dunker moving forward. While he’s played tackle, his projection to play guard could boost his value. Many expect his transition to guard could be seamless. A solid combine showing, particularly in agility drills, could help push him to a Day 2 pick.
Garrett Nussmeier – QB, LSU
After Fernando Mendoza is drafted, the quarterback board gets tight. Garrett Nussmeier entered Senior Bowl week with an opportunity to stabilize his draft outlook after an uneven final college season. Nussmeier enters the NFL Draft with a shaky outlook. He was once a highly rated prospect, but the 2025 season left a lot to be desired.
During practices, he showed arm talent and confidence throwing into tight windows, though decision-making and consistency remained under scrutiny. His ability to operate within structure was evident, but he didn’t always separate himself from the rest of the quarterback group.
For Nussmeier, the combine will be critical. Teams will be evaluating his mechanics, processing speed, and overall command. A clean pre-draft process could keep him in the mid-round quarterback conversation, but there’s little margin for error.
Kamari Ramsey – S, USC
The safety class is headlined by Caleb Downs. This means the next-best safety will need to step up in these weeks and months ahead. Kamari Ramsey’s Senior Bowl week was about flashes rather than dominance. He showed good awareness in coverage and communicated well on the back end, but didn’t always make the splash plays that grab immediate attention. His versatility remains a selling point, especially for teams looking for depth in the secondary.
Ramsey’s draft stock will largely hinge on how he tests. If he can show fluid movement and above-average speed at the combine, he could solidify himself as a dependable Day 2 safety with upside. There are many other safeties looking to separate themselves, so it will be important that a good performance can adhere to how coachable a player is.
Zane Durant – DT, Penn State
Zane Durant entered the Senior Bowl with a solid college résumé but needed a strong showing against top competition. In practices, he demonstrated power at the point of attack and the ability to disrupt plays inside, though consistency was an issue. His effort level was evident, even if he didn’t consistently win reps. Durant is more likely a development draft pick, as he is considered “undersized” for his position.
For Durant, the pre-draft process is about proving he can be more than a rotational interior lineman. The combine will be important in confirming his strength and explosiveness. A strong performance could keep him in the mid-round conversations, particularly Round 3.
Skyler Bell – WR, UCONN
Although this he did not participate in the Senior Bowl week, Skyler Bell did have a showing during East West Shrine week. He was listed as the highest graded wide receiver at the Shrine Bowl, and he has all the strengths to be a diamond in the rough pick.
Listed at 6-foot, with a weight of 185 pounds, Bell has the ability to create separation with a speed that makes him a deep threat. Most scouts look at his route running that looks natural, while his versatility also separates him from the other receivers in the class. The only thing that slows Bell down in this process is his size, as there is the fear he won’t be able to consistently win against stronger NFL cornerbacks.
However, the upside with Bell outweighs the negatives. Although he only participated in the first day of practice in Texas, his combine will become more vital. His 40-yard dash results will probably catch the eyes of more scouts, but his skillset is what will make him an early Day 2 pick.
Bell is a player who shouldn’t be slept on, but he comes from a smaller college, which might end up working out for a team looking to draft hidden gems.
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Very well written and informative read. Hats off to the journalist