The SEC is about to send dozens and dozens of prospects to the NFL, just like every year.

As many as 10 could hear their name called Thursday night in the first round of the NFL Draft.

We know what the mocks say. But in 10 years, which SEC player in the 2018 draft class will have had the best NFL career? That’s something we’ve been discussing all month.

Connor O’Gara, senior national columnist: Give me Roquan Smith. I have a theory about guys who dominate even when there’s a ton of next-level talent around them. The theory is that they’re going to be pretty stinkin’ good in the NFL.

That’s what Smith did last year to fuel Georgia’s storybook run to an SEC Championship and Rose Bowl victory. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year was everywhere, and in a dangerous way. “High-motor” is putting it lightly. He has the ability to lead a defense for the next 10-15 years.

Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

I have no idea who will wind up with Smith or whether he’ll be a top-10 pick. He shouldn’t have to wait as long as some of the mock drafts are suggesting. I sort of feel like people have cooled on the idea of taking a linebacker high in the draft, which probably hurt Smith’s stock a bit. His former Georgia teammate, Leonard Floyd, was actually the only linebacker drafted in the top 10 the last three years. Smith is the better bet to make All-Pro teams.

In a draft that isn’t loaded with can’t-miss SEC talent, Smith is the guy who will stand above the rest for years to come.

Jon Cooper, director of operations: Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The value with Fitzpatrick isn’t that he’s a complete lockdown corner or a future Hall of Fame safety; it’s that he can play multiple positions at a ridiculously high level. He can play all over the field in the secondary. Sure, he’ll slide into one of those main roles, but he’ll never come off the field because of his versatility and athleticism.

His biggest asset, however, is what’s between his ears. He is the complete package off-the-field, too. He never got into trouble at Alabama, and he’s not a liability for any reason in the NFL. That deadly combination is one that will help propel Fitzpatrick to have a long (and best) NFL career of any of the 2018 SEC draftees.

Adam Spencer, SEC columnist: Obviously, it all depends on where these players land, as anyone who goes to the Cleveland Browns probably isn’t going to have a great career. That said, I think the safest bet is Roquan Smith. He’s everything you want in a linebacker at the NFL level and, if he stays healthy, he can rack up over 100 tackles per year. He might not end up being the most dynamic rookie, but when the 2018 draft class has hung up its cleats, I think Smith will be the one who will do so with the most accolades and the best career.

Chris Wright, executive editor: Maybe it’s because I spent almost 4 years at the Miami Herald and still reach out to friends there to find out “Who’s Next?” But I’ve been a Calvin Ridley believer since his junior year of high school. Guys who dominate in South Florida have a track record of dominating everywhere else, too.

The Ridley-Amari Cooper comparisons are inevitable, in part because both started their journey in South Florida and starred at Alabama. As you saw in the video, Cooper has been a fan for a long time, too.

Ridley isn’t Julio Jones. He’s not a physical freak, and he won’t take the top off NFL secondaries with straight line speed, but his route-running already is elite. How often did you see him make a catch in traffic in college? Usually, through technique, he’d lost the defender by the time the ball arrived. He’s a natural separator, and that separates him from every other receiver in this draft.

The best part? Ridley isn’t slotted to go to a rebuilding team that desperately needs a quarterback. He’ll likely land with a playoff team and established, capable quarterback.

It’ll be a smooth transition, just like his routes.