Senior Bowl preview for 2021 NFL draft: Top prospects, biggest sleepers and most underrated players

The Senior Bowl kicks off this week, with the top senior prospects in the 2021 NFL draft descending on Mobile, Alabama, for an invite-only showcase event. More than 120 prospects will be in attendance to practice against one another -- they're split into two teams -- and meet with NFL coaches, scouts and front-office executives.

With the NFL combine canceled this year because of COVID-19 precautions and teams moving toward pro days, the Senior Bowl is the only chance for prospects from different schools to compete against one another before April's draft. There are three days of practice in Mobile, including 90-minute sessions for each team on Tuesday and two-hour sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Check out coverage of practice on Wednesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App. The game is slated for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

ESPN NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay answer eight questions about this year's Senior Bowl, from the best prospects in attendance to sleepers worth watching to intriguing quarterbacks who could rise:

With no NFL combine, what's different about the Senior Bowl this year?

Kiper: It's much more important. I've been doing this for more than 40 years, and the two constants on the pre-draft calendar have always been the Senior Bowl in January and the combine in late February. Now, the Senior Bowl is going to be the closest thing we get to an event with prospects from multiple schools in attendance. Yes, pro days are still going to happen, but they're going to be scaled down. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, teams are allowed to bring only 10 representatives (between coaches and scouts) to Mobile, and there are going to be strict rules about interacting with prospects. But all 32 teams will be able to get an up-close and personal look at them.

McShay: Yeah, I think the biggest thing this year is the chance for coaches, scouts and front-office execs to actually get one-on-one time to talk to these players. Almost all interviews to this point have been done virtually, so this is going to be a great opportunity in these unusual circumstances.

Kiper: The way I understand it, team reps in Mobile this week will be able to do face-to-face interviews with prospects -- through plexiglass. That's going to be the only chance for representatives from teams to look them in the eye and talk to them before the draft, outside of virtual interviews. That means the seniors there have an advantage over the underclassmen.

McShay: Look at guys such as Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, Alabama running back Najee Harris and Washington cornerback Elijah Molden. None of them will participate in practices or the game, but they all still accepted invites for that coveted face-to-face time. And for Smith, the chance to work with the Miami Dolphins' coaching staff -- who will be coaching the National team -- is seemingly especially appealing, considering Miami has the No. 3 pick in the draft and could target a playmaker such as the Heisman Trophy winner. (The Carolina Panthers' staff will coach the American team.)

What are teams looking for from prospects in Mobile?

McShay: Quarterbacks will have plenty of eyes on them and how well they adapt to new offensive plays and supporting casts. Which ones pick up the daily installs in the classroom the quickest? Who best translates those installs onto the field? For everyone else, the one-on-ones are always key for evaluators. Can a top small-school prospect such as Central Arkansas cornerback Robert Rochell match up against the speed of an explosive SEC wide receiver such as Florida's Kadarius Toney? That's what the Senior Bowl provides.

Kiper: Totally agree. On the field, what matters are the practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. What I've always loved about the Senior Bowl is the ability to see those head-to-head matchups. Wide receivers vs. cornerbacks. Defensive ends vs. offensive tackles. Linebackers trying to cover tight ends and running backs in space. It really is unique and a great way to see competition between these prospects. And scouts and coaches in the stands are going to be watching closely to see who wins the one-on-one battles, who adapts to coaching and how quickly they pick things up.

McShay: This year, teams will be paying special attention to players who opted out in 2020 or had limited playing time. Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman will be in Mobile, as will fellow opt-out Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins. UCLA receiver/running back Demetric Felton only played six games, while Arizona State wideout Frank Darby was limited to two contests (and six catches); they'll be there too. NFL scouts haven't seen much from a lot of players this season, and in some cases, nothing at all. So it's critical for guys who played sparingly or opted out to show up in great shape and prove they've progressed as players despite the lack of game action.

What's the benefit in WR DeVonta Smith going if he isn't working out?

Kiper: Because two teams picking in the top 10 are coaching. Can he impress the Dolphins enough to pick him at No. 3 and reunite him with Tua Tagovailoa? And I think the Heisman Trophy winner wants to show that he is all business. I remember in 2003, Tennessee tight end Jason Witten declared for the draft as a junior and just came down to Mobile to meet and greet. He couldn't play in the game, but he wanted coaches to get to know him. That's what Smith is going to do this year.

McShay: Smith is a competitor, and his tape speaks for itself. But when I sat down with him last year, I was really impressed with his understanding of the game, professional approach and overall drive. Of the college games that I've worked live, I think Alabama's wide receivers stand out as the most competitive group I've seen on the sidelines -- and Smith has been the driving force there. He's the real deal. He'll take this opportunity to show that to NFL teams, including the Dolphins and Panthers.

What could QB Mac Jones do there to lock in his spot in Round 1?

McShay: I think Jones has the best football sense of the group, and he needs to show that in Mobile. But can he excel on an even playing field? At Alabama, he was behind arguably the best offensive line in the country, handing off to the best running back in the country and throwing to the best wide receiver in the country. Scouts will have the chance to see what he can do compared to the likes of Ian Book, Sam Ehlinger, Kellen Mond and others with the same supporting cast. Jones -- my fifth-ranked QB and a top-25 prospect -- can make a statement with a big week playing with new personnel.

Kiper: You know, Todd, I don't think it's out of the question that Jones goes in the top 10 picks. Think about it: Teams trade up for quarterbacks all the time. And then you have the Detroit Lions at No. 7, the Panthers at No. 8 and the Denver Broncos at No. 9, all of whom could all take a quarterback. Jones is going to be coached by the Panthers, and if he shows off his tremendous accuracy at all levels, proves that he has the arm strength and steps up with different receivers -- he is going to be out of his Crimson Tide comfort zone -- I could see him locking in his spot as the fourth quarterback in this class.

Outside of Jones, who's the most interesting quarterback there?

Kiper: I would say Arkansas' Feleipe Franks, a big, 6-foot-6 signal-caller who showed off improved accuracy after transferring from Florida. He completed 68.5% of his passes and threw only four interceptions in 2020, and he did that against a tough schedule. He has a big arm; his pocket awareness progressed as the season went along; and you can't ignore his size. How quickly will Franks process things down in Mobile? And how will he do throwing to receivers he'll meet for the first time? He is intriguing. I could see him being a late Day 2 pick or an early Day 3 selection.

McShay: I'm going with Notre Dame's 6-foot, 208-pound signal-caller Ian Book. Opinions are all over the place on his game, ranging from potentially a third-round pick to a late-round grade. (Book is my 12th-ranked QB right now.) He finished in the top 10 in the nation in Total QBR (84.0), and he posted 15 touchdowns to three interceptions in fueling the Fighting Irish to a 10-2 season. That will obviously improve his draft stock. And I really appreciate his toughness, competitiveness and leadership -- critical qualities for a QB. There's plenty of arm strength, and he can make things happen as a runner (nine rushing TDs). But I'll be watching two areas of his game this week: He needs to improve his decisiveness as a pocket passer, and I want to see him hit more tight-window throws.

Who are the best non-Alabama prospects there?

McShay: Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who has climbed to No. 23 overall in my draft rankings. He isn't the biggest wideout at 5-foot-11, and there are more polished prospects. But man, is he ever explosive. He lacks Deebo Samuel's 215-pound build, but I still think Toney can be a similar talent in the NFL. Think quick game, screens and reverses to get the ball in his hands.

Kiper: Totally agree on Toney, who might just sneak into my mock draft on Tuesday. Another wide receiver to watch: Michigan's Nico Collins opted out of the 2020 season, but he is 6-foot-4, and he averaged 19.7 yards per catch in 2019. He has big-time potential. On defense, I know teams want to get a close look at Washington DT Levi Onwuzurike, who had only two sacks in 2019 (he opted out in 2020) but has some upside. If he dominates this week, he could rise. He is my fourth-ranked defensive tackle.

McShay: Great call on Collins and Onwuzurike. Collins isn't an ankle breaker, but his speed and strength make him a threat after the catch. And he can secure the contested catches, though his hands are a bit inconsistent. He will be a focal point for NFL teams this week. Onwuzurike is highly disruptive and also has great quickness and agility. Houston's Payton Turner (No. 75 on my board) is another defensive lineman to watch. The 6-foot-6 DE had five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in five games last season.

Who are your favorite sleepers there, and where could they get drafted?

Kiper: Northern Iowa pass-rusher Elerson Smith is one to watch. At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, he has great physical attributes, but he didn't play any live football in 2020 because of the postponed FCS season. In 2019, Smith had 14 sacks, five forced fumbles and 22 tackles for loss. He is the real deal, and now we get to see him against Power 5 offensive tackles. Cornerbacks Bryan Mills (North Carolina Central) and Robert Rochell (Central Arkansas) impressed at a lower level, and this is their chance to lock up against big-time wide receivers. Guards don't get a lot of love, but keep an eye on Grambling's David Moore, who is my No. 9 guard.

McShay: It's tough to be a sleeper when you play for Oklahoma, but running back Rhamondre Stevenson has gone under the radar. He took over as the starter for the Sooners this season after Trey Sermon transferred to Ohio State, and the big, 6-foot, 245-pound back showed off quick feet and pass-game versatility to rise up draft boards. I have Stevenson as a my No. 5 running back and inside the top 100 for the draft class, after he averaged 6.6 yards per tote and scored seven times on the ground in just six games. Stevenson could be a Day 2 pick.

And Mel, you mention Rochell. He is a ball hawk I'm excited to see this week. A press corner who excels in zone coverage, he played in one game in 2020, but he had 28 pass breakups and nine interceptions over his previous two seasons. I want to see his speed against faster FBS wide receivers at the Senior Bowl. He is at No. 92 on my board right now and could rise. Consider him a Day 2 option.

We didn't see QB Jamie Newman this season. What do you want to see from him this week?

McShay: The quarterback opted out of the 2020 season -- after his transfer from Wake Forest to Georgia -- so the tape isn't as complete as we would hope. But he throws a great deep ball, and I really like the trajectory and timing of his passes on 9-routes, which he saw a lot of at Wake Forest before transferring. He has poise and toughness in the pocket, and the ball jumps out of his hand. But there are three things I still need to see from my ninth-ranked QB:

• Newman needs to process faster. Can he improve there throughout the week as he gets comfortable with the new offense and new receivers?

• This will be a good chance to show he can make the anticipation throws, especially on intermediate passes and going over the middle.

• Can Newman throw accurately on the move? Wake Forest didn't roll him out much, with a high percentage of his passes coming from inside the pocket. Let's get him throwing on the move to both sides this week.