National Football League

Bucs, Titans coaches to work with incoming rookies at Senior Bowl

Published Dec. 29, 2014 12:28 p.m. ET

Alex Marvez

Having a terrible season actually has some benefits for a downtrodden franchise.

Being selected to coach many of the top NFL draft prospects at the Reese's Senior Bowl is one of them.

Tampa Bay and Tennessee will have the first crack at the opportunity, Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage said. An official announcement of acceptance could come as early as Wednesday, Savage told FOX Sports.

The Buccaneers (2-14) and Titans (2-14) were afforded the chance because they finished tied for the NFL's worst record. Both squads also are expected to retain the same head coaches, which is a priority for Senior Bowl selection.

If the Buccaneers or Titans were to decline, Jacksonville (3-13) would be extended an invitation for a second consecutive year.

The Senior Bowl coaching positions are coveted because of the time it gives coaching staffs to work with college players both on the field and in the meeting room. This gives franchises a boost in the pre-draft evaluation process.

Practices will be held from Jan. 20-22 this year with the Senior Bowl game itself being played Jan. 24 in Mobile, Ala.

There will be 110 players participating in the Senior Bowl, with a waiting list to replace those who drop out or get injured during practice. Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah, Alabama quarterback Blake Sims and University of Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman are among the top college players from 2014 who have accepted invitations.

Here is the order for the top 20 teams in the NFL Draft:

1. Buccaneers

2. Titans

3. Jaguars

4. Raiders

5. Redskins

6. Jets

7. Bears

8. Falcons

9. Giants

10. Rams

11. Vikings