MOBILE, Alabama -- If any of the players at this year's Senior Bowl end up in Cleveland, they'll know what it's like on the shores of Lake Erie in late November after Wednesday's practice.
Temperatures dropped in a big way and the wind was whipping at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Though it made it tougher to watch for the scouts, general managers and coaches in attendance, it provided them with an opportunity to see how the players reacted to the relatively adverse elements.
Here's what stood out from Day 2.
1. Braxton Miller making most of his time at Senior Bowl
Search Braxton Miller's name on Twitter, and all you'll see is scouting experts raving about what they're seeing on the field from the Ohio State athlete. Miller has been one of the top performing receivers through the first two days, flashing off some increased speed that he credits to losing 10 pounds since the end of his senior season. Here's just a sample of what experts are saying about Miller, who could push his way into the top 50 of the 2016 NFL Draft.
2. Loaded defensive line group continues to shine
The vast majority of the players here won't be picked in the first round. Of the ones that are, the majority might just come from the defensive line. Alabama's Jarran Reed and Louisville's Sheldon Rankins came into this week's practices projected by many to be first-round picks, and the players around them have impressed enough to think there could be more. Former Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence had another good day Wednesday, and Temple's Matt Ioannidis has been labeled by many as a player who has most improved his draft stock over the first couple of days. NFL Network's Mike Mayock raved about Ohio State's Adolphus Washington after Day 1, saying the Buckeye "put on a show."
3. Solon's Ross Martin makes the crowd go wild
It can be a lonely existence at the Senior Bowl for kickers. At one point Tuesday, Solon native Ross Martin, who played his high school ball at Walsh Jesuit and starred at Duke, was practicing field goals by kicking toward a row of trees. On Wednesday, though, Martin had everyone from the South team surrounding him with excitement after he nailed a 60-yard field goal during the middle of practice. This sort of thing was nothing new for Martin, who was 4-for-4 on attempts from 50 yards or longer during his senior season.
4. Ohio State TE Nick Vannett showing off hands, receiving skills
There's only one ball and only so many plays to make an impact as a pass-catcher in a given game. For Ohio State's Nick Vannett, the opportunities to show what he could do with the ball in his hands were limited, but he took it in stride. At this week's Senior Bowl practices, Vannett has made a point to prove he can be far more productive than his senior year stat line -- 19 receptions, 162 yards -- would indicate. "I saw this game as a great opportunity to be able to show that … show them who the real Nick Vannett is," he said. The reviews of Vannett's performance have been strong thus far. CBSSports.com ranks Vannett as the third-best tight end in the draft and projects him to be a third-rounder.
5. Draft's best LB might be at Senior Bowl
Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland was the commander of the national championship Crimson Tide defense and he's asserted himself as such through two Senior Bowl practices. The 259-pound inside linebacker is showing off his versatility by playing some on the outside. He caught the attention of a Jaguars assistant Tuesday when he sprinted across the field to make a tackle on special teams and he's generated constant praise from analysts, who peg him as a mid-first round pick. Mayock was among the most impressed, saying Ragland will run an NFL defense "from Day 1."
