Big-10 Senior Bowl players preview: Hidden talents set to emerge

The Big-10 was one of the top conferences in the nation in 2019. In fact, the Big-10 had just one less team finish in the AP top 25 than the Pac-12, Big-12, and ACC combined. As the undisputed second-best conference, it’s obvious the Big-10 will be sending a number of quality players to the Senior Bowl. The Big-10 Senior Bowl players lack huge names (as most of the top conference talent leaves as soon as they’re draft eligible), but there are some high-quality players that I’m very excited to see live, from defensive linemen to safeties, offensive linemen to wide receivers. 20 total players; we’ll go over the top ones to watch this week and some of their best landing spots.

Big-10 Senior Bowl Players

Offense

QB Shea Patterson, Michigan

Shea Patterson is the only Senior Bowl quarterback from the Big-10, and he looks to compete for attention in a dominant group. Patterson is widely considered one of the two worst quarterbacks in Mobile, something he’s not used to. Patterson was one of the top quarterbacks in the country as a high school senior. He won the Elite 11 MVP, the most prestigious award given to a high school passer. In his two years at Ole Miss, Patterson showed flashes but never had consistency. This became a common trend at Michigan, and now he’ll look for a big week in Mobile to ensure he’s at least drafted. 

Round Grade: 7th/UDFA

Team Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions

WR KJ Hill, Ohio State

Both wide receivers from the Big-10 hail from THE Ohio State. Of the two former Buckeyes, KJ Hill is the better of the two. Hill has the most receptions in OSU history and ranks top ten in nearly every major category. He’s dynamic after the catch and is a smooth route runner with sure hands. He’s not a dominant athlete and doesn’t wow you when the ball’s in the air, but his production speaks for itself. Expect Hill to excel in 1-on-1 situations, just like former teammate Terry McLaurin did. 

Round Grade: 4th

Team Fits: Washington Redskins, New England Patriots

WR Austin Mack, Ohio State

Austin Mack’s career at Ohio State was very different than Hill’s. Mack was never a go-to option or a priority for the game plan. Despite this, Mack found a way to produce when the team needed. He has sure hands and is a savvy route runner, but lacks above-average physical traits. Don’t expect Mack to wow at the Senior Bowl with physical abilities, but he should show off some advanced technique and compete at a high level.

Round Grade: 6th

Team Fits: San Francisco 49ers, Green bay Packers

TE Brycen Hopkins, Purdue

Brycen Hopkins is one of the top tight ends in this year’s class, and the best overall tight end in the Big-10. Hopkins’ ability to win in contested situations is excellent. He’s also a passable athlete and can be a willing blocker. His game lacks consistency, but not pizzazz. Hopkins will look to show signs of improved route running in Mobile, as consistent wins in 1-on-1’s would be a massive boost for his stock. Hopkins has the requisite size and athletic ability to be a team’s #1 tight end. 

Round Grade: 2nd/3rd

Team Fits: Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins

TE Sean McKeon, Michigan

Sean McKeon is one of the lesser-known players in the tight end class. However, in a weak class, he may be a surprise producer from Day 3. Already one of the class’ elite blockers, McKeon didn’t produce well at Michigan; he was under-utilized on an already awful passing offense. McKeon has above-average athletic ability and size, so expect him to be a handful down the field. McKeon is a Senior Bowl sleeper that you should absolutely be paying attention to. 

Round Grade: 4th

Team Fits: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers

OL Ben Bredeson, Michigan

Bredeson plays offensive line the way it was meant to be played. He sees a person in front of him, and he enjoys taking them to the ground and embarrassing them in front of thousands. Bredeson has excellent strength at the point of attack and has shown good footwork and hand placement in pass protection. At times, he can get his feet crossed and give up interior penetration, but he should be a Day 1 starter. I’m very excited to see him take on quicker defensive linemen in Mobile, to see if he’s refined his pass set. 

Round Grade: 3rd

Team Fits: Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs

OL Jonah Jackson, Ohio State

Jonah Jackson is maybe the most underrated interior lineman in the country. He lacks elite athletic ability, but it doesn’t seem to affect him in space. He’s an absolute mauler but can be too eager to engage defenders, getting ahead of himself and outright missing. In pass protection, he’s constantly looking for work and can be a nasty secondary blocker. His feet can be slow, but it seems to be more technique based than on athletic limitations. With a strong OL coach to clean up his game, Jackson could be an above-average starter at the next level. Expect at least a pancake or two throughout the week. 

Round Grade: 3rd

Team Fits: Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals

Big-10 Senior Bowl Players: Defense

EDGE Josh Uche, Michigan

Josh Uche is the most underrated player in this draft class. Two of Uche’s best games were against Iowa and Alabama. Those teams are home to two of the top tackles in the nation. Uche was excellent against both Wirfs and Wills, and the lack of hype around him is astounding. Expect him to dominate in Mobile, and comfortably assume he’ll be a Day 2 pick.

Round Grade: 2nd

Team Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions

EDGE Kenny Willekes, Michigan State

Kenny Willekes has been one of my favorite players in this class for a while. He has a motor that runs hot, plays the run well and can get after the passer. He lacks strong athletic ability, and has no resemblance of “bend”, but his length and ability to anchor will make him a welcome addition as a weak-side edge defender. 

Round Grade: 3rd

Team Fits: New York Giants, Miami Dolphins

EDGE Carter Coughlin, Minnesota

Carter Coughlin is a high-motor, lean edge defender who will likely spend his pro career standing up. At 245 pounds, Coughlin’s body isn’t really designed to hold up on a down-to-down basis setting the edge. His high intelligence and motor commonly appear on tape, however, so expect him to be one of the coaches’ favorite Big-10 Senior Bowl players. 

Round Grade: 5th

Team Fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers

EDGE Zack Baun, Wisconsin

Zack Baun has been a big riser for Draft Twitter over the past few weeks. I listed him last because I’m torn on where I like him most. Many like his ability as an edge rusher, but I actually think he fits better as an off-ball strong side linebacker. Baun can do either with his skill set, and I expect him to work with both the defensive line and the linebackers in Mobile. 

Round Grade: 3rd

Team Fits: Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns

DL Robert Windsor, Penn State

Robert Windsor was one of the driving forces for Penn States #1 rushing defense. Opponents were consistently suffocated at the line of scrimmage by a ferocious Nittany Lions unit. Windsor might lack elite size and speed, but his strength at the point of attack is among the best in the class. Windsor is under-developed as a pass rusher, but his effort level and play strength are positive signs for pass-rush upside. Windsor reminds me of Matt Ioannidis coming out of Temple.

Round Grade: 4th/5th

Team Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals

DL Davon Hamilton, Ohio State

Davon Hamilton is someone I’ve been a fan of for quite some time, so I’m very happy everyone has caught up on the hype. Hamilton uses elite hand technique and at times his pad level is astounding. He’s pretty opposite from Windsor, as he could stand to improve his strength at the point of attack, and isn’t an elite run defender. His upside is great, however, and he’ll be an impact rusher immediately. 

Round Grade: 2nd

Team Fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers

LB Malik Harrison, Ohio State

Malik Harrison has made a number of impact plays during his tenure at Ohio State. Big hits, timely sacks, and tackles for loss were a staple in his game. However, he struggles in coverage due to a lack of great athletic ability and tight hips. Expect Harrison to pop some pads in Mobile, but struggle in coverage. 

Round Grade: 5th

Team Fits: Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins

DB Josh Metellus, Michigan

A dime linebacker who excels at making plays in the backfield, Josh Metellus possesses adequate athletic ability and can cover underneath routes well. Just don’t ask him to play any single high. 

Round Grade: 4th

Team Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals

DB Antoine Brooks Jr., Maryland

Similar to Metellus, Antoine Brooks is best suited to be a dime linebacker or a box safety. He’s a sure tackler, but also has the explosiveness to make plays on the ball in short areas. He should perform in Mobile, and some will be surprised by his ability in coverage.

Round Grade: 4th

Team Fits: Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs

Lamar Jackson, Nebraska

Lamar Jackson possesses the perfect frame for an NFL corner, mixed with solid athletic ability and ball skills. Jackson is far from a finished prospect, but his upside is excellent. His technique is a major work in progress, and he needs a ton of coaching. However, in the right scheme, he could shine.

Round Grade: 3rd

Team Fits: Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs