MOBILE, Ala. -- The Senior Bowl's top prospects, like usual, are the big men.
This time it's guys like Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton and LSU left tackle La'el Collins who are trying to help cement their status as first-round picks in the much-scrutinized workouts heading into Saturday's game.
The 6-2, 343-pound Shelton went from being projected as anywhere from a fourth-round pick to an undrafted free agent after his junior season to a guy many project as going somewhere in the middle or early part of the first round.
"It's overwhelming," Shelton said. "I hear a lot of people talking about it. For me personally, I don't really get involved with media and outside voices. I want to just continue to stay levelheaded and continue to just focus, really."
While the quarterbacks and tailbacks get more headlines, the 300-pounders are often the prized NFL prospects at the annual showcase game.
The Senior Bowl has had 61 offensive and defensive linemen taken in the first round over the past decade. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald was the 13th overall pick by St. Louis after a strong showing in last year's practices, which are attended by hundreds of NFL scouts, executives and coaches who mostly leave town well before kickoff.
Two years ago, three of the first five selections were linemen who played in the Senior Bowl, including No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher.
With some of the big names turning down invitations, blockers, run-stoppers and pass rushers are some of the most coveted players in Mobile.
Collins also appears to have improved his draft stock by returning for his senior season, when he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC's top blocker.
"I learned a lot and gained so much more maturity," Collins said. "I think that was the biggest thing about me coming back for my senior year, really getting that maturity and really learning a lot."
He and Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings, a converted defensive end, are widely projected as first-rounders on the offensive line. Others like Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson and Iowa defensive lineman Carl Davis are hoping to work their way up.
Sports on 01/23/2015