The NFL draft begins Thursday in Chicago, with all 32 teams looking for the next great pro talent to emerge from the SEC.

We’ve taken a position-by-position look at the SEC’s draft prospects in the days leading up to the event. We started with running backs, receivers, defensive tackles, defensive ends, safeties, quarterbacks, tight ends and cornerbacks. We continue today with offensive tackles.

The 2015 NFL draft should be nothing remotely similar to ’13, when NFL teams selected three offensive tackles within the first four picks of the draft, including Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel at No. 2 overall.

RELATED: Most talented SEC offensive tackles in 2015

Not many offensive tackles have taken the NFL by storm in recent years, and this isn’t the most talented group at the position in recent years.

Still, three different SEC players at least have a chance to get drafted as first-round offensive tackles.

Let’s take a look at some of the news, projections and buzz at the position entering this year’s draft.

BIGGEST STAR: La’el Collins, LSU

It’s tough to predict where he’ll play in the NFL, as he’s probably better suited for right tackle or even guard than left tackle. But rather than being a detriment, his versatility adds value to his draft positioning, if anything.

At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Collins played in 45 games and started 38 for the Tigers, playing at all three potential NFL positions.

He sometimes gets off balance in pass protection and run-blocking, or can’t locate someone to block in the running game. But once he engages a defensive player, especially when he’s on the move, it’s more or less a guarantee that player will not factor into the play.

Mel Kiper Jr. called him “one of the most dominant run-blockers in the draft over the past few seasons.” Pro Football Focus called him the best pass protector in the 2015 draft and said he can make an immediate impact, providing an upgrade for any NFL team with an average offensive tackle. NFL.com called him a “mean” player and said Collins “loves to mash and intimidate opponents.” NFL.com’s Mike Mayock rated Collins as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the draft.

Other than Iowa’s Brandon Scherff, Collins is as much of a lock to get selected in the first round as just about any other offensive linemen in the 2015 draft, and he should become an NFL starter in ’15.

RISING: D.J. Humphries, Florida

Humphries ignored the NFL Draft Advisory Board’s advice to return to Gainesville, Fla., for one more season, and now he’s considered a potential first-round pick.

At 6-foot-5, Humphries has ballooned from 285 pounds in college to 307, he now is much closer to the NFL prototype at left tackle.

Humphries can get off balance against speed rushers and has a history of knee and ankle issues. Said NFL.com: “Humphries relies on his superior athleticism and fist-fight mentality rather than an improved skill set and steady technique.”

Still, his overall potential and aggressiveness make him an attractive player, especially if a team feels like he can refine his technique and become a solid NFL starter at left tackle.

FALLING: Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

Ogbuehi projected as a first-round selection one year ago, but decided to return to College Station for his senior season. There are whispers that Ogbuehi made the wrong choice, but the 6-foot-5, 306-pound offensive lineman insists otherwise.

He took out a financial insurance policy before last season in case his draft stock fell, and he may need to use it.

Ogbuehi’s athleticism, size and versatility all are coveted, maybe even ideal, assets to NFL teams.

He tore his ACL in January, threatening his readiness for NFL training camp and maybe the first part of the season. But already some questioned whether he could play left tackle.

He’s not the most aggressive player. His technique and upper body strength are lacking, and sometimes he gets off balance. Against the biggest, baddest physical ends, he can get pushed around, which is what Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers did to Ogbuehi during the ’14 season.

At one point he was the consensus No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in this draft class, even in contention for No. 1 overall. But now it’s hard to foresee him going before late in the first round at the very best, and more likely on Friday in Round 2 or 3. It’s hard to justify a first-round pick on a player who probably will begin his NFL career as a swing tackle or at best a starting right tackle.

NON-SEC PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • Brandon Scherff, Iowa
  • Ereck Flowers, Miami
  • Andrus Peat, Stanford
  • T.J. Clemmings, Pitt
  • Daryl Williams, Oklahoms

THREE BIGGEST QUESTIONS

  1. Will the SEC place two offensive tackles in this year’s first round?
  2. Can Texas A&M continue its streak of three consecutive first-round picks at left tackle?
  3. Can Laremy Tunsil return from a broken leg to get in contention for the No. 1 draft spot in 2016?

THREE TO WATCH FOR 2016

  1. Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
  2. John Theus, Georgia
  3. Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M

RECENT BUZZ

  • South Carolina’s Corey Robinson lacks ideal speed and balance to play left tackle in the NFL, but he’s a huge body at 6-foot-7 and 324 pounds. There’s a good chance some NFL team drafts him as a third-day pick to eventually start at right tackle or compete for a guard spot.
  • Alabama’s Austin Shepherd gets lauded for three Ts often: toughness, technique and tenacity. He has below-average strength for an NFL offensive tackle and he’s stiff in his lower body. His ceiling is limited, but he’s coachable and could stick in the NFL as a serviceable backup or eventual starter at right tackle.
  • Florida’s Chaz Green lacks the upper body strength to start in the NFL, but could be useful for a zone-blocking scheme because he possesses good footwork and quickness. He could become the second Florida offensive tackle selected in the 2015 draft.
  • Kentucky’s Darrian Miller ran a 5.51-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. That’s just one number on one day, but it’s indicative of a more general problem for Miller: he doesn’t have the length or athleticism to play offensive tackle in the NFL. He’s intelligent and above average in pass protection, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he eventually makes an NFL roster as a backup guard.
  • Blaine Clausell (Mississippi State), Brey Cook (Arkansas), Patrick Miller (Auburn) and Cameron Jefferson (Arkansas) are among the SEC offensive tackles who likely will be hoping to sign free agent contracts after the draft.