Senior Bowl raises stakes for some

Now that it's Friday, most NFL scouts have left Mobile, Ala. as aggressive practices are over. Today will mostly be walk through practice. So, that also means the news from practice is starting to slow. Following the news, it looks like these players have improved themeselves the most:

- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State: Pettigrew was able to show off his superior blocking skill this week. Everyone knows he can catch the ball, so there are very few questions about him. While he's not a game breaker like Jeremy Shockey coming out, Pettigrew looks like a top 20 lock.

- Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss: Nelson's season was nothing really special. Combine that with a slight frame and you have the makings of a downward-spiraling prospect. However, he routinely got open during practices and, reportedly, made Rey Maualuga look foolish. He's stopped the slide and could be a third rounder at this point.

- Brandon Gibson, WR, Washington State: While Gibson is not a flashy player, he was reportedly consistently solid all week. He's mostly a third receiver, but he could be a good one and worth a third round pick.

- Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State: With the glut of junior receivers coming out, Williams had to prove himself and he did. Outside of good height, Williams displayed everything a team could look for in a receiver. He could slip into the early second round based on his performance in Mobile.

- Nic Harris, LB, Oklahoma: The player coming into practices with the most questions was Harris. Converting from strong safety, Harris has looked like a natural at outside linebacker. Expect him to rise in the next set of rankings.

- Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan: No one showed leadership skills like Delmas did this week. Even when hurt he was seen encouraging teammates. He could be a solid second round prospect at this point. With WMU not being on many TV screens this year, he's flying under fans' radars.

- Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss: Already a top prospect, Jerry did nothing to hurt his stock all week. He could have also moved himself into top 20 talk by displaying a great burst off the line and manhandling mammoth LSU guard Herman Johnson. -