One of draft season’s biggest games will kick off tomorrow down in Mobile, Ala. And although this year’s event is a tad low on star power, teams will always find a way to sift for gems—something the following four Carolina Panthers players know a little bit about.
Here are four players from the current roster who made their mark at the Senior Bowl.
OT Taylor Moton
Moton had a bit to prove in 2017, especially coming out of Western Michigan University—which isn’t exactly a hotbed of NFL talent. Just the year before, his previous teammate and fellow offensive lineman Willie Beavers struggled with the Minnesota Vikings as their fourth-round pick.
Nonetheless, the 6-foot-5 319-pounder played at a high level throughout the week. He showed in practices and on game day that he belonged not only at the Senior Bowl, but at the next level—earning himself a second-round call from the Panthers.
C Bradley Bozeman
Unlike Moton, Bozeman came from a highly-heralded NFL factory—at the University of Alabama. Plus, he was already recognized as one of the best linemen on a two-time national champion squad.
Oddly, the center’s stock was never particularly high given his lack of ideal size and athleticism. He did, however, open eyes with dominant outings in Mobile and eventually got scooped up by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 draft.
Now, he’ll be heading into free agency after a rock-solid campaign with Carolina.
G Austin Corbett
Also a part of that 2018 Senior Bowl was Corbett—who was actually Bozeman’s roommate during the event. And a large part of his draft success can be attributed to his performance that week.
Corbett was asked to swap from tackle to center and guard during his visit, and it was a smashing success. His athleticism and versatility showed up in a big way at both positions, and he launched up draft boards.
The University of Nevada product would be selected by the Cleveland Browns with the first pick of the second round. He’s since won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams and got himself paid by the Panthers.
TE Ian Thomas
He wasn’t a roommate of Bozeman and Corbett, but Thomas was also in attendance that very same year. He, too, took advantage of the spotlight.
Thomas balled out all week—flashing his sky-high potential with a unique blend of size and athleticism for the tight end position. That, along with his showing, solidified him across the draft boards as a low-risk, high-reward pick—one the Panthers would make in the fourth round.
While he hasn’t exactly shined in the NFL, Thomas has progressed every single season and has proved to be worth the investment.
