The first major 2026 NFL draft event is on the horizon, as the Senior Bowl begins on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Keeping in mind that the Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall, which prospects should John Spytek and Co. keep close tabs on in Mobile?
All draft projections below are via NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board and as of Jan. 22.
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CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Draft Projection: 3rd Round, 85th overall
Igbinosun has always had intriguing traits, standing at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds with impressive athleticism. But he developed a reputation for being too grabby in coverage last season, drawing 16 penalties in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. The former Buckeye improved his technique and cut down on the flags this past fall with just five penalties. That will be put to the test in Mobile, though.
CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
Draft Projection: 3rd Round, 98th overall
Part of what makes the Senior Bowl a valuable event is that players are often asked to play a position that’s slightly different than where they lined up in college. For Rivers, that likely means getting some reps at nickelback. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound former Blue Devil does have some experience at nickel, recording 682 snaps over the slot in four seasons. But he primarily lined up in the boundary (2,243 snaps) at Duke, so it will be interesting to see if Rivers can stand out on the interior.
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S Kamari Ramsey, USC
Kamari Ramsey
Draft Projection: 2nd Round, 59th ovearll
Ramsey could bring versatility to Las Vegas’ secondary, as he spent the last two years lining up at either nickelback, strong safety or free safety. That’s a big part of what makes him a potential second-round pick, according to Bleacher Report’s Daniel Harms.
“The versatility showcased by Ramsey allows him to flow from a two-high alignment to a robber and into the nickel, making him a defensive chess piece,” Harms said in Ramsey’s scouting report. “His ability to achieve proper depth and mirror while maintaining his zone responsibility is an elite trait that transitions seamlessly to the NFL.”
S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Draft Projection: 2nd Round, 55th overall
Wheatley is another intriguing free safety option who could fill a need in the Raiders’ secondary. Bleacher Report’s Daniel Harms compared him to Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens and has a high second-round grade on the Penn State product.
“Always around the football whether it’s against the run or the pass. His instincts take him to where the plays go in every game,” Harms said in Wheatley’s scouting report. “His single-high ability, paired with his instincts, let him flow around the back end of the defense. Has real range to make plays.”
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DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Draft Projection: 2nd Round, 48th overall
If Las Vegas wants to add some mass to its defensive line, look no further than the 6-foot-4, 330-pound nose tackle. Hunter is hard to miss and an absolute monster in the run game, plugging gaps and shedding blocks with ease. How he fares in the one-on-one pass-rush drills could help boost his draft stock. Plus, this will be a homecoming for the Mobile native.
DT Tim Keenan III, Alabama
Draft Projection: 4th Round, 128th overall
Another massive human being, Keenan can also plug up gaps in the trenches. The 6-foot-2, 320-pound nose tackle can take on double teams and be the space-eater the Raiders’ defensive line could use. He did lose some draft stock after missing time with an injury at the beginning of this past season, so the Senior Bowl will be important for him to regain some momentum.
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EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Gabe Jacas
Draft Projection: 3rd Round, 88th overall
If you just watched Jacas move, you wouldn’t think he is 6-foot-3, 270 pounds. He has rare athleticism for his size, making him effective at turning speed to power as a pass-rusher. The former Illini had 19 sacks over the last two seasons combined and should crush it in the one-on-one pass-rush drills in Mobile.
EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech
Draft Projection: 2nd Round, 40th overall
Height is an older prospect, as he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie after beginning his college career at Auburn (2020-2021) before transferring to USC (2022-2023), then Georgia Tech (2024), before finally landing at Texas Tech (2025). Regardless, the former Red Raider is an impressive pass-rusher who registered 10 sacks this past season. Height does need to show more as a run defender, though.
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OL Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Draft Projection: 2nd Round, 36th overall
As mentioned above, the Senior Bowl gives teams an opportunity to see how prospects perform at different positions, and that’s especially true with offensive linemen. Dunker played right tackle over the last three years at Iowa, but some feel he’ll be better at guard in the pros. Seeing as the Raiders need help at both of those spots, the former Hawkeye should be on Spytek’s radar regardless.
For what it’s worth, B/R’s Brandon Thorn views Dunker as a guard at the next level.
“Dunker is a rugged, powerful in-line blocker built with the right stuff, but will need to kick inside to guard to mitigate his middling movement skills,” Thorn said in the lineman’s scouting report. “He has the traits to carve out a role and crack a lineup on his rookie deal in a run-first, play-action-heavy offense.”
LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Draft Projection: 3rd Round, 92nd overall
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The Butkus Award winner certainly is the most decorated linebacker heading to Mobile. He was a turnover machine this past season, forcing seven fumbles and catching four interceptions. That’s primarily due to his combination of impressive instincts and solid athleticism. However, Rodriguez is undersized for an NFL linebacker, listed at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds. So, it will be interesting to see how he can hold up in the run game against high-level competition.
Other prospects to keep tabs on:
CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
OL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame