7 NFL prospects to watch at the Senior Bowl this week

While the NFL season hasn't officially ended, teams are already well underway in their evaluation of this year's draft class.

The Senior Bowl is the first stop on the road from the regular season to the draft and practices begin Tuesday afternoon with many NFL coaches, scouts, and front office staff in attendance.

Not every big-name prospect will be on display, as many with elite talent enter the draft too early to be given a spot in the Senior Bowl, but here are a few names to watch that will be present:

O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

A lot of focus has been placed on this year's class of running backs, but the tight end group is loaded and Howard is at the top.

The Alabama senior stands 6-foot-6, 251 pounds and runs routes like a wide receiver. Playing under Nick Saban means he can do some blocking as well. Howard is one of the few players attending the Senior Bowl who could be off the board in the first round.

Howard is coming off one of the best performances of his career, as he ripped off 106 yards on four catches while adding a touchdown in Alabama's National Championship loss to Clemson.

Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

White has a chance to make some impressions this week at practice, in meetings, and during the game. He's projected to go anywhere from the top 15 to the end of the second round, depending on who you ask.

The LSU product has the size and aggressiveness that teams have been desiring at the cornerback position. He's a mean tackler and isn't afraid to step up in run support.

One of White's weaknesses is his hands. While he has a tendency to break up passes with disciplined technique, he rarely converts a jump ball into an interception. If White can snag a few picks in practice this week, his draft value will go up.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

After the first three running backs - Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, and Christian McCaffery - hear their names called at the draft, there's a no real consensus as to who will be next.

Hunt may or may not be that man, but he'll have a big advantage this week as the only senior runner to be in consideration. The senior back hasn't received a lot of attention, as he attended a smaller school than his competition.

The elusive weapon has solid vision, good measurables, and great ball security. By the end of the week, he could hear more than a few compliments from scouts and coaches in attendance.

Carlos Watkins, DL, Clemson

Watkins was a key part of Clemson's stout National Championship-winning defensive line, sucking up interior blockers and freeing his teammates to get in the backfield.

He lined up wherever his coaches asked him in college, racking up 8.5 sacks as a senior, but will likely be asked to play as a 3-4 defensive end this week as the Cleveland Browns coaching staff implement their pro-style scheme.

The 300-pounder's ability to set the edge should determine whether he has a chance to crack the first round.

Desmond King, CB, Iowa

There's a need for starting quality cornerbacks in the league and no clear top pick, but King is in contention.

Unlike LSU's White, the 5-foot-11 Iowa product is a true ball hawk. As a junior, King had eight interceptions through 14 games and was still able to notch another three picks as a senior despite offenses being aware of his prowess.

Look for King to be jumping routes and attempting big plays this week as he tries to impress prospective teams.

Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

Yes, it's true, watching offensive lineman practice isn't very entertaining. But the Senior Bowl is getting a treat with the 2017 draft's top-rated guard Forrest Lamp, as well as runner up Dan Feeney of Indiana.

Lamp and Feeney are the clear cut top two interior offensive linemen; both will play and practice with the North team this week. As they alternate in blocking drills, it's likely the two will push each other in front of evaluators.

The Western Kentucky product is a four-year starter who has played his best against big schools like LSU and Alabama in his career. He has big expectations to live up to, as CBS Sports recently dubbed him "the NFL's next great guard prospect"

Ryan Anderson, LB, Alabama

Anderson's dominant play in the spotlight of two college football playoff games has raised his draft stock and he could continue that trend this week.

The 6-foot-2 outside linebacker isn't an athletic freak, which makes his on-field performance much more important. Anderson's timing off the line is as good as anyone's in this year's draft class and he has the ability to play his position regardless of defensive scheme.