MOBILE, Ala. — The stage was set for Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty to prove to NFL scouts that he has the skill-set to start at the next level in a pro-style scheme based on the makeup of roster at the Senior Bowl this week.

And while he showed some improvements during practice, there are still more questions than answers about Petty’s future in the NFL.

During Wednesday morning’s practice, Petty’s footwork was good. He displayed good movements skills with three- and five-step drops and improved timing with his targets.

However, he bobbled several snaps and had a tough time with the process from under center, appearing out of sync and uncomfortable. Petty made some nice throws, but his ball placement was up and down and he also seemed to be thinking too much as he makes the transition from a spread, shotgun offense at Baylor where most his reads came before the snap.

Throw in the job-interview type of setting, it’s a tough chore for Petty to learn on the go and read coverages while operating the offense in his drops and from within the pocket.

Can he become more comfortable with added reps? Probably.

But will Petty ever be comfortable enough to start in the NFL? That’s the big question and NFL teams likely won’t find that answer with any level of confidence this week.

It hasn’t happened since 1994, but unless Petty makes vast improvements the rest of the week and the draft process, there is a good chance the 2015 NFL Draft won’t have a senior quarterback drafted in the top 100 picks.

Other notes from the North practice:

–Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah will be in the top-75 mix and he could be the top senior running back drafted because of his natural burst, balance and playmaking skills as a ballcarrier.

However, deficiencies in pass protection stand out on tape and were exposed again during Tuesday’s practice. He is willing and tough, but his 198-pound frame lacks the base strength or upper-body power to control or stop rushers in their tracks.

Abdullah is a versatile talent who is fun to watch run the rock, but its clear his best role in the NFL is probably as a change-of-pace option where he won’t be tasked with protecting the pocket.

–Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder again stood out as the most explosive pass catcher on offense for the North squad. His natural burst and route acceleration especially were impressive as he created separation, appearing to be a nightmare for defensive backs to cover in space. He does have a smaller catching radius, but for a player with such small hands (8 3/8 inches), Crowder has the focus and body control to make acrobatic catches look routine.

–East Carolina wide receiver Justin Hardy is the FBS all-time leader in catches, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by his performance on Tuesday. Several throws his way ended up on the ground.

Hardy had trouble extending from his body to pluck and finish, allowing the ball to pop off his hands. There is more than enough tape on Hardy for scouts to see what he can do as a pass-catcher, but it can be discouraging in this setting to see so many drops from a player who is viewed as a reliable slot option in the NFL.

Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) is a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, owned by The Sports Xchange and distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com.