7 Standouts Shine at Shrine Bowl Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Prospects from Florida State, Duke, Toledo, and more impress at annual all-star game

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:39am

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The 2026 NFL Draft is on the horizon, and several top prospects used the Shrine Bowl practices in Frisco, Texas, to boost their draft stock. Among the standouts were defensive lineman Darrell Jackson from Florida State, offensive lineman Brian Parker from Duke, cornerback Avery Smith from Toledo, and more. The Rams, who have found talent at the Shrine Bowl in recent years, will be keeping a close eye on these players as they prepare for the draft.

Why it matters

The Shrine Bowl is an important all-star game that gives NFL teams a chance to evaluate draft-eligible prospects up close. Strong performances at the Shrine Bowl can significantly improve a player's draft stock, as the Rams have seen in the past with players like Konata Mumpfield and Kobie Turner. These standout players could be potential targets for the Rams as they look to continue building their roster through the draft.

The details

Several players stood out over the three days of Shrine Bowl practices in Frisco. Florida State defensive lineman Darrell Jackson was dominant in 1-on-1 drills and team periods, showcasing his power and disruptiveness at the point of attack. Duke's Brian Parker impressed at center and guard, proving his versatility on the interior offensive line. Toledo cornerback Avery Smith was sticky in coverage and played physically, boosting his draft stock. Other standouts included Navy's Landon Robertson along the defensive line, Iowa's Kaden Wetjen at wide receiver, Texas Tech's Cole Wisniewski at safety, and Utah's Dallen Bentley at tight end.

  • The Shrine Bowl game took place on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The Senior Bowl kicked off later in the week after the Shrine Bowl practices.

The players

Darrell Jackson

A dominant defensive lineman from Florida State who stood out during the Shrine Bowl practices.

Brian Parker

An offensive lineman from Duke who impressed at center and guard, showcasing his versatility.

Avery Smith

A cornerback from Toledo who played physically and improved his draft stock with a strong performance at the Shrine Bowl.

Landon Robertson

A defensive lineman from Navy who was disruptive in the backfield throughout the Shrine Bowl practices.

Kaden Wetjen

A wide receiver from Iowa who stood out for his ability to make plays in space and his potential as a return specialist.

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What they’re saying

“There may not have been a better player at the Shrine Bowl than Darrell Jackson. He was dominant on all three days during the 1-on-1s and consistently in the backfield during team drills.”

— Blaine Grisak, Author

“Avery Smith was a player that wasn't initially on my radar, but consistently jumped off the tape and caught my attention. Smith was sticky in coverage and played very physical all weekend.”

— Blaine Grisak, Author

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the coming months, and these Shrine Bowl standouts will look to continue impressing teams during the pre-draft process.

The takeaway

The Shrine Bowl provided a valuable opportunity for NFL teams to evaluate draft-eligible prospects, and several players stood out with strong performances that could boost their draft stock. The Rams, who have found talent at this event in the past, will be closely monitoring these standouts as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.