The Super Bowl is descending on New Orleans, but this week all the action is headed out to Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl.
It's one of the first major scouting events of the NFL offseason, and a popular proving ground for Saints draft picks, including last year's No. 1 overall selection Taliese Fuaga.
Where should you be looking to find that talent? WWL Radio's pro and college football analyst Mike Detillier has a watchlist for you with 12 offensive players he's watching closely, several of whom could see their stock either rise or fall significantly based on their performances this weekend. It all starts with the quarterbacks.
This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Click here for Mike D's watchlist for the defensive side of the ball
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JALEN MILROE, QB, Alabama
Measurables
- 6'1 1/2", 220 pounds
- Hand: 8 3/4"
- Arm: 31 1/4"
- Wingspan: 6'2 3/4"
OF NOTE
- Highly recruited prep QB from Texas
- Backup to Bryce Young for 2 seasons
- Has started the past 2 seasons for Bama
- Great athlete ... Has unreal foot speed and quickness. Normally makes the 1st person miss when running the ball & is shifty in heavy traffic.
- Erratic downfield passer.
Mike D's take: He is really pieced together physically and he has a super strong arm. Really throws the deep ball extremely well, better than the short to intermediate stuff. Has completed 64% of his throws in college but has looked either really good as a passer or not so good. Has bettered his mechanics and foot work but he throws a lot of passes off balance.
Tried to force a lot of throws short last year and it led to a high amount of Int’s.
Super hard worker and team leader. His erratic nature needs to get better.
Reminds me a lot of a faster version of Jalen Hurts coming out of college.
Draft projection: With the shortage of QB’s he has a strong chance to go in Round 1 despite his erratic nature as a passer. A strong week in Mobile is essential for him, but he will WOW the scouts with his arm talent, athletic ability and 1st rate character/leadership skills.
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JAXSON DART, QB, Ole Miss
Measurables
- 6'1 7/8", 226 pounds
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 30 1/4"
- Wingspan: 6' 3/4"
OF NOTE
- Tremendous athlete who also excelled in baseball in high school
- Gatorade Player of the Year in Utah and one of the top prep QB’s in the nation
- Signed with USC and actually started 3 games as a true freshman. Left USC when Lincoln Riley took over knowing he was bringing Caleb Williams with him.
- Started 3 seasons for Ole Miss. completed 65% of his passes for 11,970 yards, 81 TD’s and 27 interceptions
Mike D's take: Really good athlete who can also run with the ball well. Has a live arm, throws the ball well between the hashes and he likes to push the ball downfield. Has a quick, short-snap delivery and the ball comes out of his hand quickly.Accurate passer with good mechanics .
Has bettered his ability to read & recognize his secondary reads quicker.
Buys time well with his feet.
Gets in trouble constantly trying to hit the big play than taking the obvious short/intermediate completion. Has way too much “Riverboat Gambler” in him. Will have to learn how to play in a more conventional offense than the one at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin but that shouldn’t be a big leap. Leader out on the field and a tough guy. Is a bit streaky as a passer and he needs to physically get stronger
Draft projection: Jaxson Dart may well have the most to gain as any other player in Mobile. QB’s are a premium and he’s very gifted.
2nd Round pick projection, but there’s some room to elevate himself at the Senior Bowl.
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XAVIER RESTREPO, WR, Miami
Measurables
- 5'9 3/8", 200 pounds
- Hand: 9 1/8"
- Arm: 29 3/4"
- Wingspan: 5'11 1/8"
OF NOTE
- Tremendous HS athlete who accounted for 48 TDs on offense and 8 interceptions on defense
- Record setting WR for the Hurricanes
- Consensus All-American in 2024 and a 2-time 1st team All-ACC performer for the Hurricanes.
- 200 receptions for 2,844 yards, averaged 14.4 yards per catch and scored 11 TD’s for Miami
- Outstanding route runner who corkscrews CBs in the ground with his moves and sharp route running skills. Smoothly and without a loss of speed comes out of his cuts and breaks downfield.
- Sure handed. Not afraid to work the short to intermediate routes inside and he is fearless going over the middle
- Has excellent open- field running skills and speed. Lacks great size and bulk , but he’s one tough dude out on the field.
- Wants the ball in critical spots in a game and he finds a way to get open
- In many ways he reminds me a lot of former Georgia and current LA Chargers WR. Ladd McConkey.
Draft projection: 3rd round projection but he’s going to excel in Mobile..
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TREVOR ETIENNE, HB, Florida
Measurables
- 5'8 1/2", 202 pounds
- Hand: 9 5/8"
- Arm: 29 1/4"
- Wingspan: 5'9 1/2"
OF NOTE
- Younger brother of former Clemson All-American and Jaguars 1st round pick Travis Etienne
- Standout runner at Jennings HS in LA
- Picked Florida over LSU
- Transferred to GA in late 2023 after two years at Florida
- Built low to the ground, runs with power and outstanding leg strength
- Has the quickness and speed to turn the edge. Good eye vision and finishes off his run strong.
- Good hands as a receiver. Had some injuries in 2024
- Averaged 5.6 yards per carry and scored 23 TDs during his college career and he also caught 58 passes
Draft projection: Middle round pick but has a shot to elevate his draft stock with a strong outing at Senior Bowl
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JACK BECH, WR, TCU
Measurables
- 6'1 1/4", 212 pounds
- Hand: 8 7/8"
- Arm: 31 3/8"
- Wingspan: 6'3"
OF NOTE
- Has a strong football genetic background
- Older brother Tiger was killed in the terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in NOLA. Two uncles played at LSU.
- Aunt played on LSU soccer team
- Super productive HS WR at St. Thomas More in Lafayette, LA.
- Signed with LSU and was a hybrid WR/TE for the Tigers
- Played 2 seasons for LSU before transferring to TCU in 2023
- Caught 62 passes, 9 TD’s and he averaged 16.7 yards per catch in 2024
- Sure handed, very good route runner.
- Sneaky fast end, has a knack for slipping tackles and making a big play after the catch
- Knows how to work the inside routes and make the tough catch in traffic. In many ways looks and plays a lot like Puka Nacua of the Rams.
Draft projection: Right on the edge of a top-100 pick
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MASON TAYLOR, TE, LSU
Measurables
- 6'4 7/8", 250 pounds
- Hand: 9 7/8"
- Arm: 32 7/8"
- Wingspan: 6'6 1/4"
OF NOTE
- Son of Pro Football Hall of Famer OLB/DE Jason Taylor
- Huge target TE with excellent hands and he is a very improved route runner.
- Knows how to position himself between the ball and the defender.
- Runs with power after the catch. Wants the ball in critical moments and has delivered.
- Much improved in-line blocker.
- No. 3 rated TE-behind Tyler Warren of Penn State & Colston Loveland of Michigan -
Draft projection: 2nd round pick grade. Strong week in Mobile could elevate him possibly into Round 1.
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MOLIKI MATAVAO, TE, UCLA
Measurables
- 6'5 1/4", 265 pounds
- Hand: 9 1/2"
- Arm: 33"
- Wingspan: 6'6 3/4"
OF NOTE
- Tall rangy TE who started his college career at Oregon
- Excellent height and he is a nifty route runner. Has very good eye hand coordination and leaping skills.
- Sure handed. Much improved run blocker.
- Caught 41 passes for 506 yards in 2024.
Draft projection: Middle round prospect, but someone to watch closely
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ARMAND MEMBOU, OT/OG, Missouri
Measurables
- 6'3 3/4", 332 pounds
- Hand: 9 5/8"
- Arm: 33 1/8"
- Wingspan: 6'9"
OF NOTE
- Will not turn 21 years old until March
- Has started at RT but some feel he is best suited inside
- Power player at the point of attack. Mauler in the run game.
- Moves people off the line of scrimmage. Has quick feet and 1st rate body balance and control.
- Uses his arms and hands well in pass protection sets. Senior Bowl will be important in determining if he sticks at OT at the NFL level.
- average arm length but he plays huge.
Draft projection: Middle 1st round pick.
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JONAH SAVAIINAEA, OT/OG, Arizona
Measurables
- 6'3 3/4", 339 pounds
- Hand: 10 1/4"
- Arm: 34 5/8"
- Wingspan: 6'9 3/4"
OF NOTE
- Has started at both right tackle and right guard for Arizona. Versatility is a plus.
- Great size for the position
- Moves well for a big man. Has quick feet. Flashes power skills at the point of attack. Would like to see him be more consistent as a player and with his techniques.
- Hand placement skills need work. Considered a very hard worker and a quick pick-up with new techniques guy.
Draft projection: Late 1st round/early 2nd round pick. All eyes will be on him in Mobile.
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JOSH CONERLY, OT, Oregon
Measurables
- 6'4 1/8", 313 pounds
- Hand: 10 3/8"
- Arm: 34"
- Wingspan: 6'9"
OF NOTE
- 5-Star recruit. One of the top high school OL in America
- Has started the past two seasons at LT at Oregon
- Really good athlete and quick footed
- Excellent body balance and control
- Outstanding pass blocker. Gets very good movement as a run blocker.
Draft projection: Mid 1st round pick. Has a chance to be this year’s version of Taliese Fuaga.
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OZZY TRAPILO, OT, Boston College
Measurables
- 6'7 5/8, 321 pounds
- Hand: 10 1/4"
- Arm: 33 1/2"
- Wingspan: 6'9 1/4"
OF NOTE
- Son of former Saints guard Steve Trapilo, who played with Bobby Hebert and he also was a star OG at Boston College. Steve passed away in 2004.
- Mammoth size for the position
- Started one year at LT and the past two seasons at right tackle at BC
- Power player at the point of attack, gets a strong initial push with his drive blocks
- Has improved as a pass blocker but he needs to learn how to bend at the knees better and not at the waist band. Will get thrown off balance some when his techniques aren’t strong.
- If he catches you with his strong hands-game over.
- Hard worker, tough guy. Very dedicated to getting better as a player.
- Needs some work with his pass blocking skills and techniques but he knows how to play this game at a high level.
Draft projection: Middle round pick but has a real shot to move up with a strong technical week in Mobile.
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GREY ZABEL, OT/OG, N. Dakota State
Measurables
- 6'5 3/8", 316 pounds
- Hand: 9 3/8"
- Arm: 32 1/4"
- Wingspan: 6'5 5/8"
OF NOTE
- Mom and Dad were both collegiate athletes
- Has started at right/left guard and right tackle at North Dakota State
- Versatility is a plus
- Love his tough-guy mentality
- Plays hard and is relentless to finish off his blocks
- Gets good movement with his drive blocks
- Has improved with his techniques and hand placement skills as a pass protector
- Good athlete and he has quick feet for a big man. Will get work at both OG and OT at the Senior Bowl. Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy says he will also get a look at center
Draft projection: 2nd round pick, but how he shows in pass protection could move him up or down the line
This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Mike D's defensive watchlist will post Tuesday morning (Jan. 28)