Top 5 defensive players to keep an eye on at 2025 Senior Bowl

One of the most dynamic pass rushers in this year’s Senior Bowl, Green enters the game following a monster 2024 season in which he recorded 17 sacks. While he dominated at Marshall, the question remains how well his skill set will translate against top-tier offensive linemen.

His ability to generate consistent pressure makes him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, but scouts will be watching to see if he can maintain that production against elite competition.

Green had the option to transfer for lucrative NIL deals but instead chose to enter the NFL Draft, banking on his first-round potential. Mobile provides him with the perfect stage to showcase his diverse pass-rush arsenal. Green’s relentless pass-rushing ability consistently puts quarterbacks under duress, making him a formidable threat off the edge.

Rather than transferring for lucrative NIL opportunities, he opted to declare for the NFL Draft, betting on his potential to be a first-round selection. Mobile provides him with the perfect stage to showcase his diverse pass-rush arsenal.

Despite battling injuries late in the season, Adams remains one of the most physical corners in the draft class.

His aggressive playing style helped him allow just 18 receptions on 37 targets in 2024. He thrives in press coverage but must prove he has the agility and top-end speed to stick with elite receivers in space.

With NFL teams increasingly valuing physicality in man-to-man coverage, Adams has a chance to solidify his status as a top-tier cornerback.

A force in the trenches, Nolen was a dominant run defender in 2024, finishing second in the nation in positively graded run plays. His raw power and athleticism allowed him to tally 41 pressures, and his 6.5 sacks ranked among the highest for interior defenders in this draft class, showcasing his growing ability to disrupt the backfield.

While he still needs refinement in hand technique, he has shown steady improvement throughout the season, particularly in his ability to disengage from blockers more efficiently. NFL teams are eager to see how he adapts to elite competition throughout the week, with scouts specifically looking for more consistency in his hand placement and counter moves.

If Nolen continues to flash his blend of size and explosiveness, he could solidify himself as a Day 1 selection. His raw power and athleticism allowed him to tally 41 pressures, and his 6.5 sacks showed a growing ability to disrupt the backfield.

While he still needs refinement in hand technique, NFL teams are eager to see how he adapts to elite competition throughout the week. If Nolen continues to flash his blend of size and explosiveness, he could solidify himself as a Day 1 selection.

Describing the season Harold Fannin Jr. had at Bowling Green is no easy task. If he had replicated his 2023 performance of 44 receptions for 623 yards and six touchdowns, he likely would have been a reliable mid-round draft pick for any team in need of a 'big slot' tight end.

However, Fannin far exceeded expectations, nearly tripling his reception total (114) and more than doubling his yardage (1,555), all while finding the end zone 10 times along the way.

Alexander dominated at Toledo, recording 87 pressures over the past two seasons.

At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, he possesses the power to collapse the pocket and the quickness to win in one-on-one situations.

His ability to shed blocks and disrupt both the run and pass will be tested against higher-caliber offensive linemen, making this week crucial for his draft positioning.