2017 Senior Bowl: 10 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) scores a touchdown as defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) runs alongside during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 10

The Senior Bowl is an excellent chance for players who have flown under the radar for their entire college careers to get a chance to play in front of national media members and NFL scouts. Bucknell offensive tackle Julie’n Davenport fits that mold.

I spoke last week to Davenport as he prepared for the Senior Bowl, and learned a lot about his background. Davenport was a former two-sport athlete in high school, playing football and basketball. He is cousins with two NBA players Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and he’s hoping that athletic lineage will make him make generate some buzz.

Davenport started every single game during his four years at Bucknell. He has a massive 87.5-inch wingspan and a 6-foot-7, 304-pound frame that is sure to turn heads. With legitimate athleticism and impressive footwork, Davenport does a great job in pass protection, and that’s something that NFL teams will love to see.

This year’s class of offensive tackles has some players from big programs at the top, including Alabama’s Cam Robinson and Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk. However, with a strong week at the Senior Bowl, Davenport could quickly put himself into that conversation as one of the top offensive tackles in the draft, and possibly the first FCS player drafted.

Home/NFL Draft