Many of the top seniors decided not to play in the 2014 Senior Bowl either because of injury or advice from agents to work out on their own turf in a sterile environment, but it was two juniors who do not play quarterback that was also the buzz in Mobile.
Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins and former Thibodaux High School and Auburn left offensive tackle Greg Robinson were talked about quite a bit in Mobile.
One AFC general manager told me that Watkins was a player that could well turn out to be the top player on their draft board and the one non-quarterback that teams will be trying to trade up to acquire.
"Sammy has great size, sprinter's type foot speed and he really improved his route running skills this season and with DeAndre Hopkins in the NFL with the Houston Texans he showed he could take on and beat constant double coverage and he is also a force in the return game. I really believe his versatility, like what we saw last season with West Virginia's Tavon Austin (St. Louis Rams)will make him a top-5 pick in 2014 and that will also upgrade the draft status of Marqise Lee (USC), Odell Beckham, Jr. (LSU) and Brandin Cooks (Oregon State)."
Robinson, the 6-5, 315 pound left tackle has been one of the "hot" players to watch since the start of November and NFL scouts can't wait to watch him work out at the Combine and also at Auburn's Pro Day.
Texas A&M left tackle Jake Matthews is the highest ranked offensive lineman in the 2014 draft class, but Robinson is not far behind him and he will be a top-10 pick in 2014.
The quick-footed left tackle prospect may well press former Hahnville High School and LSU safety LaRon Landry in being the highest drafted player from the Bayou/River Parish areas. Landry was the 6th overall selection in 2007.
Wide Receiver Frank Lewis, who went to Southdown High School in Terrebonne Parish and attended Grambling University, was the 8th overall pick in the 1971 draft.