Standouts and Surprises from the 2024 Senior Bowl – The 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl, highlighted by top-ranked betting sites, offered critical insights into the elite quarterback prospects poised to enter the NFL draft. Featuring potential first-round selections such as South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler and Oregon’s Bo Nix, the event allowed scouts to evaluate these premier signal-callers within the high-stakes atmosphere of a competitive all-star game, providing a valuable perspective on their readiness for the next level.
Rattler Shines in Senior Bowl After Tumultuous Final College Season
Once considered the favorite to be the top pick in the 2023 draft, Spencer Rattler experienced a dramatic slide down draft boards after struggling in his final college season. However, Rattler made the most of his Senior Bowl opportunity, quickly putting his refined mechanics and arm talent on display.
Just two drives into the game, Rattler dropped a perfect 29-yard touchdown pass to Georgia wideout Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint in the corner of the end zone. He proceeded to finish a clean 4-of-4 passing for 65 yards and made another impressive throw into a tight window for a key third-down conversion.
After battling command of the offense and consistency issues as a junior at Oklahoma then transferring to South Carolina, Rattler avoided turnovers and clearly established himself as the top passer in Mobile. His exploits throughout Senior Bowl practices and the all-star game itself have likely revived his first-round stock.
Standouts and Surprises from the 2024 Senior Bowl – Bo Nix Also Impresses with Quick-Hitting Passes
Oregon’s Bo Nix likewise maximized his time on the field during Saturday’s showcase. Nix has always had a strong arm, but this past season he improved his decision-making and ball placement in the Ducks’ system.
That refinement was evident as Nix spent his two Senior Bowl series delivering sharp, accurate balls to his playmakers in space. He displayed timing on short and intermediate routes, layering in completions to multiple targets. Nix also flashed his athleticism by rolling to his left and throwing across his body for a 3-yard touchdown pass.
While Nix had some erratic deep balls at times as a four-year starter, he is poised to be an early Day 2 selection for a QB-needy team. His 2022 tape and this week’s evidence of development are promising. There seems more upside to be unlocked in the confident senior.
Milton’s Inconsistency Continues
In contrast to the positive outings for Rattler and Nix, Tennessee’s Joe Milton experienced a difficult showing on Saturday. The towering Milton is known for his cannon arm, which enables explosive plays. However, he remains very raw and inconsistent as a passer.
That lack of polish was apparent against the Senior Bowl’s fierce defensive fronts, as Milton struggled with timing, progressions, and ball placement all game. His first drive ended with an egregious interception forced into double coverage in the end zone. In the fourth quarter, miscommunication with his receiver led to another end-zone interception.
For all of Milton’s prototypical tools, his erratic accuracy and decision-making make him too much of a project for most teams. The Tennessee product may need a couple seasons of development before he is NFL-ready. Saturday likely did not inspire confidence in drafting Milton before Day 3.
Late-Round Running Backs Make Impact
While this 2024 draft class lacks elite running back talent, some potential late-round rushers had impressive Senior Bowl outings. Chief among them was Missouri’s Cody Schrader, who racked up 1,600+ yards in his lone year starring for the Tigers.
The compactly-built Schrader was slippery and physical as a runner all game, leading the American Team in touches on offense. He gained 54 yards on 5 receptions while also showing creativity and contact balance as a runner between the tackles. For a formerly undrafted prospect out of Division II, Schrader undoubtedly caught the eyes of scouts this week.
Meanwhile, TCU’s lightning-quick Emani Bailey continued displaying the explosiveness that powered his 14 rushing touchdowns as a senior Horned Frog. Bailey ripped off several chunk gains against loaded Senior Bowl defenses and finished with a game-high 53 yards on 10 carries. His potential as a big-play threat and receiving weapon out of the backfield bodes well for Day 3 draft capital.
The 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl, a pivotal prelude to Super Bowl betting picks and the NFL Draft, showcased the talents and potential of leading quarterback and skill position prospects. Highlight performances from Spencer Rattler and Cody Schrader significantly bolstered their draft prospects, while Joe Milton’s outing underscored the need for further development. This all-star event provided NFL evaluators and fans with invaluable insights, enriching the data pool available for assessing how these seniors will transition to the professional level.
