Mel Kiper Jr. anticipates that LSU RB Leonard Fournette, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook and Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey will all be taken in the first round in his initial mock draft. (2:15)

Senior Bowl week is great for veteran college players to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts. Some of the top-tier talent passes on performing, and underclassmen aren't eligible unless they have earned their college degrees, but there is still loads of talent.

Just last year, the game produced four first-round picks (quarterback Carson Wentz, guard Joshua Garnett and defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Vernon Butler), plus a quarterback you might have heard of in Dak Prescott.

The week of practices is what really matters -- you can catch Wednesday's and Thursday's practices at 1 p.m. ET on ESPNU/WatchESPN -- as that's when scouts are watching the one-on-ones and dissecting each prospect's every move.

Below are my top 15 prospects headed into the 2017 game, in order of where I have them right now. Keep in mind that this week can change a lot. This is when high-end prospects stand out above their peers, and it's the first chance for some Group of 5 prospects to face elite players. Check out the full roster here.

Senior Bowl team: South | Uniform number: 88

Howard, my top-ranked tight end, is the lone prospect at the Senior Bowl whom I have in the first round of my initial mock draft. With only seven touchdowns in four seasons for the Crimson Tide, he was underutilized. He could be a guy who has a better pro career than college career. Howard (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) could catch a lot of passes at the next level, and he's a solid blocker.