MOBILE, Ala. -- The pace picked up and the pads started to pop during the second day of Senior Bowl practice on Tuesday. Many of Monday's stars stood out as did a whole new crop of players. Here's Tuesday's stock report after a long day of practice.
Stock Up
Eric Fisher/T/Central Michigan: Fisher was quite possibly the most impressive player on the North squad during Tuesday's practice. He was phenomenal in pass protection, stopping just about everyone in drills and during the scrimmage period. Fisher's blocking fundamentals are outstanding and his footwork and ability to slide off the edge is eye catching. He was beaten by a few power moves and Fisher must improve his playing strength, but the senior left tackle is now being mentioned as a possible top 15 pick.
Kawann Short/DT/Purdue: Short bypassed the 2012 NFL Draft despite being considered a first-round pick. He came to Mobile with sliding draft stock after a disappointing senior season. Today, Short showed the skills that made him so highly rated just 12 months ago. He's a big-bodied tackle who was impossible to move off the point and Short consistently drove defenders off the ball. He's both powerful and quick, a combination he used to his advantage Tuesday. Short needs to keep the momentum going and prove to scouts he's willing to consistently play at a high level.
Quinton Patton/WR/Louisiana Tech: Patton was exceptional catching the ball all day, displaying terrific quickness and reliability on the field. He was outstanding in his route running, quickly getting into breaks then staying low on exit and positioning himself to make the reception. Patton made all types of catches; running underneath routes, running the outs or in the middle of crowds. He's not the fastest wideout, but Patton proved that he possesses the hands and concentration to play in the NFL.
Marc Anthony/CB/California: Anthony is another Senior Bowl player who is slightly speed-deficient yet displayed himself as a terrific football player on this day. He was tough, smart and productive on the field. Anthony was constantly around the action, beating down opponents to defend passes. His timing and anticipation was on the money and Anthony showed a great break to the ball. He also displayed a nice degree of skill defending the run. Anthony improved his draft stock on Tuesday and fast forty times at the combine could help further push him up boards.
Montori Hughes/DT/Tennessee-Martin: After missing Monday's practice with a slight injury, Hughes returned today and was one of the stars on the defensive line. He was both explosive and powerful all practice. Hughes consistently pushed blockers off the line of scrimmage, collapsing the pocket and disrupting the action. He also displayed the ability to beat defenders off the snap with his first step then fire through the gaps up field. There's no doubt Hughes is a player upon whom teams will focus during Wednesday's all important practice to see if he can continue his momentum.
Mychal Rivera/TE/Tennessee: Rivera put together another solid practice and is starting to build a buzz around here in Mobile. He's slightly undersized but is an athletic tight end who made several acrobatic receptions in the middle of the field as well as down the flanks. Rivera lacks the bulk necessary to be a consistent blocker, but he should fill a role as a move tight end at the next level.
Conner Vernon/WR/Duke: Vernon was probably the most consistent receiver on the field on Tuesday. His route running was exceptional as Vernon was explosive in and out of pass breaks and always played under control. His ability to quickly come out of the route and immediately position himself to make the reception was impressive. Vernon also caught everything thrown in his direction today. He's not a vertical threat but is a reliable underneath pass catcher who projects as a third receiver in the NFL.
Cornelius Washington/DE/Georgia: Washington was overshadowed by many of the All Americans he played next to at Georgia but he established himself as a talented defender on Tuesday. He showed terrific speed and pass rushing skills off the edge and the ability to pursue the action laterally. Washington was effective on Tuesday but needs to keep the momentum going on Wednesday.
Marquise Goodwin/WR/Texas: If there's one thing this year's receiver lacks, it's elite speed. Goodwin may be the one exception at the position. He's an explosive wideout who consistently ran past defenders on Tuesday. Goodwin also displayed a well-rounded game running solid routes then catching the ball with his hands. He's not a big receiver, which poses some issues, yet his ability to stretch the field was impressive on Tuesday.
Markus Wheaton/WR/Oregon State: Wheaton was terrific all practice on Tuesday and displayed a well-rounded game. He's a quick wideout who beat opponents off the line and then displayed a burst of speed. His ability to effortlessly make the reception in stride was impressive as Wheaton looked natural in all areas of the receiver position.
Brian Winters/OG/Kent State: The collegiate left tackle primarily lined up at guard on Tuesday and was a dominant force. He showed terrific blocking power on the line of scrimmage and terrific movement skills when asked to block in motion. It's that latter skill, blocking in motion, which really impressed, and surprised, scouts on hand.
Desmond Trufant/CB/Washington: Trufant has put together a pair of terrific practices at the Senior Bowl. He's a feisty defensive back who battles receivers from the snap of the ball and mixes it up throughout the route. He displayed terrific ball skills besides a good degree of toughness in his game.
Stock Down
Dalton Freeman/C/Clemson: Freeman had a tough day going up against the likes of Georgia's Jon Jenkins and Montori Hughes of Tennessee-Martin. He was pushed around the pocket and struggled holding down the point.
Shawn Williams/DB/Georgia: Williams looked slow and non-reactive during most of the Tuesday practice. He was consistently late arriving to the scene and was not the dynamic safety he displayed himself to be during his Georgia career.
Notes: John Jenkins, Leon McFadden and Larry Warford, players who watched their stock rise on Monday, all performed well today, though none compared to Stepfan Taylor. The Stanford back was tremendous in all aspects of the position and many think he's risen into the early part of round two.
