NFL Network's experts assess the performances at Senior Bowl practice:
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was the first of 87 Senior Bowlers selected last year in the 2016 NFL Draft. The year before him, Browns defensive tackle Danny Shelton was the first of 76. And the year before him, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was the first of 84.
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So who will it be in 2017?
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock thinks it could very well be Alabama tight end O.J. Howard. Checking in at 6-foot-6 and 249 pounds, Howard has been one of the stars this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
"You can see he's really worked on his blocking and has improved in that area," Mayock said of the Offensive MVP of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. "He has a perfect combination of height, weight, speed, toughness, and athletic ability. The comparison I have for him is Greg Olsen. If you have a chance to draft a Greg Olsen, you go get him. And I think you'd have to get him with a pick in the early 20s."
Last week at the East-West Shrine Game, Mayock, a former defensive back at Boston College who played for the Giants from 1982-83, said this could be the best tight end class he's ever seen as an analyst. But that wasn't the only position to stand out in practice leading up to Saturday's game.
Here are some other players Mayock liked on Day 2 of Senior Bowl Week:
Haason Reddick, ILB, Temple
Mayock: "I had several scouting friends of mine asking me if I had seen Reddick. I had and loved what I saw. At 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds, he rushed the quarterback, where he's comfortable, and showed he could play in coverage, both in man and zone. And in team drills, he was everywhere. For a guy most consider a tweener, he made a big statement on Wednesday. He's an ultra-versatile player."
Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
Mayock: "He's a matchup chess piece with movement skills. If Greg Olsen comes to town, you say, 'That's your guy.' The next week a wide receiver like Mike Evans comes to town, you say, 'Go get him.' I thought Melifonwu had an outstanding practice session on Wednesday."
QBs Antonio Pipkin (Tiffin) and Davis Webb (Cal)
Mayock: "I learned a few things about these two quarterbacks and I can't wait to see them on Thursday in their final practice here and on Saturday in the game. Pipkin is only 6-foot-1 but the ball flies out of his hand. He struggled on Day 1, but I thought he looked a lot more comfortable out there on Day 2 and made some big adjustments, especially under center. Now I want to see him lock in on Day 3. With Webb, the ball comes out beautifully. He threw the ball a ton at Cal but not under center. He's gotten better and better this week with each day and each snap. The big question on Webb is his accuracy. A lot of issues in this area showed on tape."
Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
Mayock: "He's pretty small (5-10, 183) but plays big. Every tape I watched on him, he was an off-corner. On Wednesday, he was a press corner only. Those are two very different disciplines. He got his hands on everybody. He's got great feet, and he competes at a very high level. He's a quick-footed corner who's better than people thought. He really had a good day."
The Giants hold the 23rd pick in the 82nd NFL Draft, which will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia. Round 1 will be on Thursday, Rounds 2-3 on Friday, and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
