A combined six players projected on The Sporting News’ latest mock draft are in attendance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. this week. But the beauty of the competition is that players can move up — and down — draft boards depending on how well they practice, drill and interview with teams.
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2022: SN’s latest projections before Senior Bowl
Of course, the Senior Bowl draws significant interest not only from NFL fans looking to get a glimpse at the latest crop of talent, but also college football fans who want to see their players shine one last time while donning their collegiate helmets.
The Sporting News has you covered on how to watch those players — regardless of reason — at the Senior Bowl. That includes time, date, TV channels, rosters and players who can make the most of their week:
What time is the Senior Bowl 2022?
Date: Saturday, Feb. 5 Time: 2:30 p. m. ET
The 73rd edition of the Senior Bowl is scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The 2022 Senior Bowl is the second year the event will take place at Hancock Whitney Stadium, which became home of the South Alabama Jaguars as of the 2020 season.
What channel is the Senior Bowl on?
TV channel: NFL Network Live stream: NFL. com/watch
The Senior Bowl will be broadcast on NFL Network, which can also be live streamed on fuboTV (7-day free trial).
Senior Bowl practice schedule
The players practiced before Saturday’s game on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. ESPNU broadcasts National Team practices for on Wednesday and Thursday, while ESPN 2 does the same for the American Team. The NFL Network will broadcast a one-hour recap for every day of practice at 8 p.m. ET (except on Thursday, as it will take place after the East-West Shrine Bowl).
Below is the full practice broadcast schedule:
All times Eastern
Tuesday, Feb. 1
National Team practice (12:30-2:30 p. m. ) American Team practice (3-5 p. m. ) Recap show (8-9 p. m on NFL Network)
Wednesday, Feb. 2:
National Team practice (12:30-2:30 p. m. on ESPNU) American Team practice (3-5 p. m. on ESPN2) Recap show (8- 9 p. m. on NFL Network)
Thursday, Feb. 3
National Team practice (12:30-2:30 p. m. on ESPNU) American Team practice (3-5 p. m. on ESPN2) Recap show (11 p. m. — following Shrine Game — on NFL Network)
MORE: NFL Draft order 2022: Updated list of picks for every team after AFC, NFC championship games
Senior Bowl 2022 rosters
Player listings reflect official Senior Bowl rosters.
American Team
National Team
NFL staffs coaching the 2022 Senior Bowl
Robert Saleh and the Jets’ staff — who hold the Nos. 4 and 10 overall picks — will coach the National Team.
Dan Campbell and the Lions’ staff — who hold the No. 2 overall pick — will coach the American Team.
2022 NFL Draft prospects with most to prove at Senior Bowl
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
Nothing about Pickett’s play in 2021 suggested he would be worthy anything less than a first-round pick. But the Pitt quarterback, who exploded onto the scene with a 42-touchdown performance as a senior, has refused to get his hands measured due to the fact he’s double-jointed. He’s doing hand exercises to ensure he gets an accurate measurement at the NFL combine in March.
Unfortunately, hand size is one of several strange measurements taken when looking at potential draft picks. Pickett can put to bed any worries about how he grips the ball with a good week of practice in Mobile.
Coby Bryant, DB, Cincinnati
Bryant, along with Sauce Gardner, combined to form one of the best cornerback tandems in college football this year. The first-team All-America selection (AFCA, AP) and Jim Thorpe Award winner tallied 170 tackles, 35 pass break-ups, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles during his Cincinnati career. He also boasts excellent size for an NFL corner at 6-1, 185 pounds.
Bryant can show in Mobile that his excellence on the football field has nothing to do with Cincinnati’s Group of 5 status, and everything to do with his own talent.
Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky
Kinnard is a mountain of a man at 6-5, 345 pounds. But the Kentucky offensive tackle has shown weakness in pass protection during his career with the Wildcats in confronting opposing rushers. His arm length has also been noted. It’s an area that is easily seen — for better or worse — at the Senior Bowl. He can certainly improve his draft stock with a good week of practice, but could also confirm to teams he’s more suited to shift inward as an interior lineman.
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Howell was considered a near-lock as a high first-round pick entering what would be his final season at North Carolina in 2021. In his first two years as a Tar Heel, he combined to complete 496 of 770 passes (64.4 percent) for 7,227 yards and 68 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. The UNC offense lost four players to the 2021 NFL Draft, however (running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter and receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome), directly affecting his production.
Though his final season in Chapel Hill wasn’t bad by any means, it did remove some of the shine off Howell’s draft status. A strong week in Mobile can move him back squarely into the first round (The Sporting News projects him as the 32nd overall pick).
Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
Tolbert is a big-bodied receiver (6-3, 195 pounds) who has flashed play-making ability in each of the last two seasons for the Jaguars, combining for 146 receptions for 2,559 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Mobile native should feel right at home at the Senior Bowl, where he can command the spotlight in a way he rarely was able to during his college career.
