Dangers Of The Senior Bowl

Aaron Colvin entered practice at the North South practice of the upcoming Senior Bowl in which college athletes play an all-star game in front of scouts, general managers and coaches from all over the NFL. He left practice mid way through the day with an ACL tear that will keep him out till atleast the first week of the NFL season.

Colvin isn't a household name and probably wasn't going to end up one after the game but he is still a top cornerback prospect to many scouts. While he was definitely a day 2 pick (2nd & 3rd round) he as seeing his draft stock rise. 

This injury likely puts into question two things. 1. Does this take Colvin completely out of the draft? 2. Are the risks worth the rewards for players like Colvin at the Senior Bowl?

To answer the first question, there are other players who tore their ACL's but rarely does it ever happen this close to the draft. Without the ability to practice in the preseason, this likely takes him tothe  end of the draft (rounds 6 or 7) I think the talent level and his projections someone will take a chance on him but it wouldn't surprise me if he is moved completely out of the draft all together.

Second, football always has risks but players like Alabama's A.J. McCarron skipped the senior bowl because of these kind of risks. From what I have heard and read most NFL scouts look down on players who turn down their invites. They want to see players compete and show that passion to want to learn and develop. The risk outweighs the rewards for some though because they feel they have proven everything they needed to during the season. Players like McCarron feel that they are comfortable at their projected draft position and feel they won't raise that job.

Colvin was a player who needed to be in Mobile to prove his competitiveness against some of the top receivers in the college game. Colvin unfortunately felt the risk of that decision and will now lose a ton of money because of it. Colvin took the chance and I still think team will reward him for that sacrifice by selecting him late.