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Tom Brady became one of the NFL’s all-time greats as a sixth-round pick out of the University of Michigan in 2000.
While Brady is a legend, especially among late-round picks, there are always NFL starters and even Pro Bowlers that emerge late in the draft. (Think Cortland Finnegan, the long-time cornerback from Samford and a seventh-round pick, most recently with the Carolina Panthers.)
Which SEC draft hopefuls could be in that position this year? We’ve identified a handful of NFL prospects from the Southeastern Conference who could become important pro players from the later rounds of the draft.
Missouri G Connor McGovern
It’s possible that McGovern could work his way into a mid-round pick, but we think he’ll be around at least until late in the fourth round, if not the fifth. He was miscast at left tackle during his senior season at Mizzou, and I’m skeptical that he’ll find success if a team tries him at right tackle. At guard, though, he can use his outstanding strength and football I.Q. to become an NFL-worthy run blocker. He’s got a ways to go in pass protection, but at 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds, he’ll turn heads even in an NFL weight room.
LSU CB Rashard Robinson
He continues to raise all sorts of red flags long after getting dismissed from the Tigers program. He didn’t test poorly at the Combine but seemed a little rusty compared to his athletic profile when he played SEC ball. But Robinson has the physical talent to become a starting NFL cornerback. He’s long, has fluid hips and plays excellent in press-man coverage. If a team feels that it can manage his personality, he could be a late-round steal.
Georgia RB Keith Marshall
His Combine numbers probably assured that he’ll get drafted somewhere. Running back is one of the best bets if you’re looking for a late-round player who can develop into a starter as a position player rather than someone signed for special teams and depth. Marshall’s health was his biggest problem at Georgia, and it’s a bit of a mystery why he didn’t get more carries in 2015. But he arrived as a five-star recruit out of high school and is physically talented enough to play in the NFL.
Texas A&M P Drew Kaser
He’s got a booming leg as well as deft touch on placement punts near the red zone. NFL teams only carry one punter on the active roster, and the turnover rate on those spots is low. But Kaser is good enough to deserve a seventh-round pick for a team with a need. According to NFL.com, he connected on punts of at least 64 yards in six of his last 11 games at Texas A&M.
Florida TE Jake McGee
McGee may have the best hands of any player in this draft, receiver or tight end. Add that to an adjacent quality — an excellent catch radius — as well as some upside as a run blocker and he could become a starting NFL tight end in years to come. He needs to improve his route-running and his overall athleticism is limited. But as a potential late-round pick, McGee is worth a flier.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
