Every year, the Senior Bowl serves as a proving ground where prospects either validate what we already know or force fantasy football players to rethink their rankings. Practices in Mobile are especially important for dynasty managers, where route nuance, separation ability, and translatable traits often matter more than box-score production.
This year’s Senior Bowl delivered several clear risers who improved both their NFL Draft stock and their long-term fantasy football outlook. Here are the standouts you need to know.
Malachi Fields — WR, Notre Dame
At 6-foot-4, Malachi Fields was one of the biggest wide receivers in Mobile, and he played like it all week. Fields consistently won at the catch point, showcasing elite high-point ability and strong hands in contested situations. While he doesn’t have burner speed, his route-running nuance and timing allowed him to create just enough separation to dominate one-on-one reps.
Fields entered the Senior Bowl with an already solid résumé. He was highly productive at Virginia before transferring to Notre Dame, posting back-to-back 800-yard seasons, then finishing his Fighting Irish career with 630 yards and a career-best 17.5 yards per catch. The Senior Bowl erased any lingering doubts about his ability to win against NFL-caliber defensive backs.
NFL evaluators were nearly unanimous in their praise, and Fields looked like the most complete wide receiver on the field. For fantasy football purposes, he profiles as a potential red-zone weapon with strong target-earning traits at the next level.
Kevin Coleman Jr. — WR, Missouri
Kevin Coleman Jr. didn’t overwhelm defenders with size or flash, but he was the most consistent wide receiver in Mobile. Coleman separated with precision footwork, beat press coverage regularly, and showed excellent ball skills despite his smaller frame.
Coleman’s advanced metrics already pointed toward an NFL-ready receiver, even with subpar quarterback play in college. His performance at the Senior Bowl confirmed that production translates when the competition levels up. He consistently created space, used late hands to protect the catch point, and punished defensive backs who guessed wrong at the line.
From a fantasy football lens, Coleman fits the profile of a slot-heavy target earner who could quickly carve out a role in PPR formats. His stock rose because he showed exactly what coaches want: reliability.
Reggie Virgil — WR, Texas Tech
Reggie Virgil flew under the radar nationally, but that didn’t last long once Senior Bowl practices started. At 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds, Virgil stood out with smooth movement skills and legit vertical speed, consistently threatening defensive backs down the field.
Virgil was productive in college but didn’t always get the spotlight in Texas Tech’s offense. In Mobile, he made his case as a legitimate outside receiver who can stretch the field and still win underneath. His ability to stack defenders and accelerate through routes was evident all week.
For fantasy football players, Virgil is an intriguing upside swing. A receiver whose value could spike quickly if he lands with a quarterback willing to push the ball downfield.
Mike Washington Jr. — RB, Arkansas
Mike Washington Jr. was the clear best running back at the Senior Bowl, and it wasn’t particularly close. Built at over 225 pounds, Washington combined power with surprising foot speed, vision, and burst through the hole.
He consistently showed decisive north-south running while also flashing pass-catching ability on wheel routes and flats. Washington clocked the fastest top speed among all players early in the week and backed it up with physical finishing in team drills.
Washington already looked like a volume NFL back, but his performance in Mobile elevated him into a potential Day 2 draft pick. For fantasy football managers, he’s the type of runner who could earn early-down work immediately and grow into a three-down role.
Tyren Montgomery — WR, John Carroll
Tyren Montgomery stole the spotlight among small-school prospects with a polished, confident week of practice. He displayed excellent footwork off the snap, disguised his routes well, and consistently secured passes in stride.
Montgomery didn’t look overwhelmed by the jump in competition, which is often the biggest concern for small-school wide receivers. His ability to separate and adjust to imperfect throws stood out, and scouts left Mobile with real interest in his upside.
In fantasy football dynasty formats, Montgomery is the kind of deep sleeper worth tracking, a player whose draft capital could continue to rise if he has impressive combine
Garrett Nussmeier — QB, LSU
After an injury-marred 2025 season, Garrett Nussmeier needed a strong Senior Bowl showing to stabilize his draft stock, and he delivered. Nussmeier looked healthy, confident, and in command, displaying improved accuracy and timing despite limited quarterback talent overall in Mobile.
While his father’s presence with the Saints staff generated headlines, Garrett’s rise was earned strictly on performance. He showed the arm talent and composure that once made him a Heisman dark-horse candidate, reminding scouts why his ceiling remains intriguing.
For fantasy football purposes, Nussmeier is more of a superflex stash than an immediate starter, but his Senior Bowl performance put him back on the dynasty radar.
