NFL executive sends brutal message on ex-Auburn football star's draft stock

Former Oregon and Auburn football QB Bo Nix had a brutal message sent on his NFL draft stock by an unnamed executive who believes he didn't grab the brass ring during Senior Bowl week.

"I wanted to see more," said one front office exec (h/t Boston Sports Journal). "It's not an easy week (editor's note: the QBs and WRs/TEs have to learn each other on the fly), but it didn't stop (Spencer) Rattler from settling in as things progressed. Nix never got there."

An NFC scout believes that Washington's Michael Penix was marginally better than Nix during practices, but obviously didn't improve his stock by not playing.

"He wasn't lights out during practices," said one NFC scout whose team needs a quarterback. "I would have liked to see him step up to that challenge. At least Nix played a couple of series (and threw a TD pass)."

Auburn football Senior Bowl entries impressed

Nix is a major topic around these parts considering the potential first-round implications, but the Tigers who played in the Senior Bowl for the American Team (DJ James, Nehemiah Pritchett, Jaylin Simpson, Marcus Harris) all did good jobs raising their NFL draft stocks.

In particular, James and Pritchett contained Wake Forest's Sam Hartman and North Carolina's Tez Walker, among others, and Harris was a pass-rush nightmare for the National Team's backfield. After standing out on an AU unit that struggled in 2023, thus limiting their exposure and national interest, the trio shined in the upperclassmen all-star game.

Of the bunch, James has the best chances to be drafted on the first day. While it's unlikely he jumps Nix, the player he switched teams the same offseason as via the transfer portal, it's likely James ends up having a higher ceiling once every AU alum gets to the pros.