Senior Bowl 2017 live stream: How to watch NFL draft prospects online

Some of the country’s top draft prospects meet up in Mobile, Ala. this week.

Jan 28, 2017, 5:00 PM UTC

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NCAA Football: Las Vegas Bowl-Houston vs San Diego State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL draft process reaches a critical stage on Saturday when the Senior Bowl kicks off from Mobile, Ala. Some of the top senior players from college football will put their skills on display with scouts, coaches, and executives from the NFL all watching closely.

The game is being televised on NFL Network, and there are just a few legal options to watch it online. NFLN allows cable subscribers to log in and watch online via NFL.com/Watch, but not every major TV provider is included in the deal. The channel itself is available on over-the-top services like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue. Both services provide a one-week free trial.

The coaching in this game will be handled by the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears staffs. It’s a great opportunity for the Browns, who own the No. 1 overall pick and get to work closely with these players ahead of time. The Bears draft at No. 3 and also are looking to get a leg up on their scouting process.

One of the big stories heading into the game surrounded a player who won’t be playing. Deshaun Watson, just a few weeks after leading Clemson to the College Football Playoff National Championship, turned down an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Despite his absence, there are still plenty of high-profile athletes looking to make their marks.

One of the most intriguing names in this year’s game is San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey. He carried the Aztecs offense on his back, setting the FBS record for most career rushing yards. Despite that accomplishment, Pumphrey is small for an RB (5’8, 169 pounds) and faces questions about his ability to handle an NFL workload. He’ll be eager to prove the skeptics wrong in this game.

Another name to watch for is Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Although he spent his college days at the FCS level, Kupp has exceptional hands and route-running ability, and he had some impressive performances against Pac-12 opponents. NFL teams would be wise not to downplay his skills because of the talent level he played against.

Tight end O.J. Howard is the only Alabama player in this year’s game, but he’s possibly the best tight end in the draft class and could get picked in the first round if he impresses in the Senior Bowl and combine workouts.

Other notable names in the game include Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs and Wisconsin running back Corey Clement. LSU cornerback Tre’Davious White, who is one of the better players in what’s expected to be a stacked CB class this year, was also supposed to play but will miss the game due to a minor ankle injury.