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

Dart is a player many expect to significantly boost his stock, potentially moving up into the 3rd or 4th round, throughout the pre-draft process. He started his career at USC under the guidance of former NFL quarterback Graham Harrell as his offensive coordinator, before making the move to Ole Miss to play for the offensive-minded Lane Kiffin.

The 21-year-old, known for his impressive dual-threat abilities and strong arm, accumulated 11,970 passing yards and 95 total touchdowns over his collegiate career. While Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are widely considered the top two quarterbacks in this draft class, the identity of the third signal-caller is still up in the air. Dart, alongside Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel, will be vying to make a compelling case for themselves this week.

No player at the Reese's Senior Bowl has as much to prove as Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Following an up-and-down season in a new system with the Crimson Tide, Milroe has a golden opportunity this week in Mobile to solidify his place and distance himself from the other quarterbacks in the second tier of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Milroe hasn't exactly found his rhythm in Mobile yet. While he showcased some impressive throws, including a deep touchdown during one-on-one drills, he struggled to find consistency in the pocket. It seems like he's overthinking, trying to juggle all the information the coaches are providing along with what’s happening in the flow of the game.

His footwork has been unpredictable, leading to mistakes like an errant throw into the dirt during one session, followed by an interception. On the positive side, he did connect with TCU wide receiver Jake Bech on a deep ball, though it was underthrown.

So far, Milroe hasn't made enough standout plays through two days of practice. Everything appears to be a challenge for him right now. While his ceiling remains as high as any quarterback in this class, Milroe looks more like a developmental project, needing the right system and coaching to help him smooth out the rough edges in his game, particularly in his passing mechanics.

Johnson spent three years at Troy before transferring to Oregon, where his production took off over two seasons with the Ducks. During that time, catching passes from Bo Nix in 2023 and this past year from fellow Senior Bowl invitee Dillon Gabriel, he racked up 169 receptions, 2,080 yards, and 20 touchdowns.

While Oregon's wide-open offensive system certainly helps receivers find space to operate, Johnson, standing at 5-10 and weighing just 156 pounds, continues to impress at the Senior Bowl practices. His speed allows him to leave defenders behind, and he uses quick bursts and slick moves to create separation in tight spaces.

Given his frame, Johnson would likely fit as a slot receiver and a punt returner for whichever team selects him in April. Though his lighter build might raise some concerns, he takes inspiration from two successful NFL players who have thrived despite being on the smaller side: Tank Dell of the Houston Texans and Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams.

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.

North Dakota State has produced its fair share of NFL-caliber linemen in recent years, and one of their top prospects is drawing plenty of attention from scouts and coaches in Mobile, Alabama.

Zabel made a strong impression on Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices. The North Dakota State product consistently found himself in the spotlight, no matter where he was positioned on the field. Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus highlighted that Zabel performed admirably at all interior offensive line positions, suggesting he could potentially be a top 50 pick.

Despite being unranked out of high school, Zabel developed into a key figure on the North Dakota State offensive line, playing at all five positions. His technique is exceptional overall, but his shorter arm length could potentially impact his draft stock.