After the first two days of practice at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl, many players have either established themselves as surprises or disappointments in the eyes of scouts and evaluators.
While these initial assessments are far from final judgments, many of this week’s results will have an effect on where any given player is taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, making positive showings even more important.
With that being said, myself (Joe Burks) and Steve Bradshaw have put together a list of the biggest risers and fallers from the second day of practice at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Hopefully, this list will allow you to stay informed about this week’s events and the draft stocks of some of the hottest names in the NFL Draft.
Risers
Jaylin Noel - Steve
(WR, Iowa State)
Jaylin Noel came out on day two and just dominated. Noel will likely be a slot guy at 5’9” 196 lbs, but it looks like he’ll be amazing in that role. Noel was quick with his cuts and no matter where the ball was thrown, he was able to reel it in. This was especially demonstrated when Noel routed up his defender on an elite comeback route.
Despite being a smaller receiver, Noel didn’t struggle with contact too much. In fact, Noel made a phenomenal contested catch in 1v1s where he mossed Azareye'h Thomas from Florida State.
(FTR x Jaylin Noel Interview) - Player Comps & more...
Trevor Etienne - Joe
(RB, Georgia)
Trevor Etienne had a fantastic day, dominating the 1-on-1 drills against opposing defenders. He showed unbelievably good route-running ability and even made a spectacular spinning catch. If Etienne lands in a favorable landing spot on draft day, he could be a decent option in PPR leagues if he’s able to carve out a role in the receiving game using the skills he put on display at today’s practice.
The Georgia running back even showed decent pass-blocking skills, which could lead to him earning more snaps early on in his career. Etienne boosted his draft stock with this performance, making this upcoming draft class of running backs even more generational.
Devin Neal - Joe
(RB, Kansas)
Devin Neal bounced back from a relatively quiet showing in the first practice by showcasing his electric running style in the 11-on-11 scrimmage drills. Neal ripped off multiple long runs, allowing scouts to see that he can be an instant contributor to an NFL offense. Neal’s skill set involves being able to make defenders miss easily, so if an NFL team is in need of a shifty running back, he could be high on their board.
Overall, Devin Neal returned to form during the second day of practice and showcased that he’s the talented running back we’ve known him to be.
(FTR x Devin Neal) - Neal talks about his versatility...
Brashard Smith - Joe
(RB, SMU)
Similarly to Etienne, Brashard Smith greatly improved his draft stock in the 1-on-1 receiving drills during today’s practice. Smith, a former wide receiver, showed off his natural hands and fluid route-running, burning defenders multiple times for massive gains downfield.
Smith looks like a true game-changer in the passing game and could be a very valuable asset in PPR fantasy leagues, even in his rookie year. If the SMU product ends up in a position to start during his rookie season, he could end up being leaned on heavily as a pass-catcher. He should be flying up dynasty draft boards.
Kyle Williams - Joe
(WR, Washington State)
Kyle Williams was one of today’s biggest surprises, showing off his impressive route-running ability and speed. Williams could have a variety of landing spots, making him a very intriguing prospect going forward for dynasty fantasy football.
The speedy wide receiver established himself as a sleeper, consistently separating against opposing coverage. Williams is also extremely twitchy coming off the line of scrimmage, making him difficult to defend in the shorter area of the field. Essentially, Williams has made a name for himself in Mobile and has certainly helped out his draft stock.
Mason Taylor - Joe
(TE, LSU)
This year’s Senior Bowl has boasted a fantastic group of tight ends, with nearly every player in the position group improving their draft stock across both teams. However, one tight end stole the show on the second day of practice. It was LSU’s Mason Taylor. Taylor shined during the 1-on-1 drills, even causing a defender to fall down as a result of one of his outstanding routes.
The LSU product has also displayed his strong hands, easily plucking passes out of the air. He has shown a fantastic ability to separate so far and could hear his name called on Day 2 if he continues to impress among a strong group of tight ends. Mason Taylor is a great example of how deep this year’s class of tight ends is. Any NFL team who selects him may be getting a steal.
Pat Bryant - Steve
(WR, Illinois)
I was impressed with Pat Bryant on day one but a lot of his big wins came on the deep ball. At 6’2” 208 lbs, I already knew Bryant was a monster as a deep threat, contested catch receiver. What I didn't know was how well-rounded Bryant is as a receiver.
Bryant moves fluidly, he’s quick in and out of his cuts and he finishes plays with reliable hands. Bryant’s not going to be a track star by any means, but he’s a very athletic receiver who’s more than just a deep threat.
Harold Fannin Jr - Steve
(TE, Bowling Green)
As my current TE1 in dynasty rookie drafts, Harold Fannin Jr was a name I couldn’t wait to watch this week. I graded his day one as rather neutral, but on day two, he had a fantastic practice. Fannin officially measured in at 6’3” 238 lbs, which is one inch shorter than Brock Bowers and eight pounds heavier.
While many had concerns about Fannin’s ability to translate due to his size, he fought through contact very well and flashed great hands on the sidelines. Fannin won’t blow you away with his speed, but he runs like a big slot receiver. That’s exactly what we want for fantasy football.
Playing in the MAC also raised some concerns about whether Fannin could produce against top players. He’s done so at the senior bowl, including a fantastic rep against Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser.
Jalen Royals - Steve
(WR, Utah State)
According to the buzz I’ve heard around the Senior Bowl, Jalen Royals is practicing at about 80% right now. That season ending foot injury he suffered is lingering, but I saw a lot to love with Royals today. For one at 5’10” 210 lbs, Royals is a very physical back. There was one rep where Royals knocked a defensive back off his feet when fighting off the line.
Royals hasn’t looked as explosive as his film suggests, which is understandable, but his route running has really impressed me. Not only was Royals dominating near the line of scrimmage but he also showed his ability to work in the intermediate part of the field as well.
Repeat Risers: Tez Johnson, Jayden Higgins,
Fallers
Jalen Milroe - Steve
(QB, Alabama)
It’s a lot easier to look great than bad in practice. That’s why, despite having Jalen Milroe on the fallers list yesterday, I have to put him here again. With a rocket of an arm, I was expecting Milroe to boost his stock when he had a clean pocket. Even with no one around him, Milroe would continue to be inconsistent.
The same could be said for the scrimmage, where he threw a nice deep ball to Jack Bech, but that’s where it stopped. Milroe threw a bad interception to Kiser and his day didn’t get much better from there. The quarterbacks, as a whole, have looked pretty rough, but Milroe has been the most disappointing for me.
Jaxson Dart - Steve
(QB, Ole Miss)
With Milroe struggling, I thought this would be a great time for Jaxson Dart to go and step up. I’ve actually heard a lot of people praise Dart, but he hasn’t impressed me too much. Dart has been better than Milroe in the sense that he’s made more “Wow” plays with fewer turnover-worthy moments.
With that being said, Dart struggled to hit his receivers or make things happen, even with no or little pressure. Dart is falling a bit in my rankings, and it’s not even that he’s played badly. While others have stepped up, Dart has stayed stagnant for me.
Taylor Elgersma - Steve
(QB, Wilfrid Laurier) - Canada
I’m not exactly sure what the bar for Taylor Elgersma was coming in, but he hasn’t impressed me very much. Elgersma measured in at 6’4” 216 lbs, but his arm talent hasn’t really stood out to me. Elgersma doesn’t look very quick going through his reads, and he’s also super inconsistent. It’s not the end of the world because Elgersma will be a project-type player at best, but he’s contributed to my belief that this quarterback room is fairly weak.