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Pro Football Focus has multiple SEC players within Top 10 of 2017 NFL Draft projection
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Pro Football Focus recently came out with its updated look at a projected first round in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The updated draft board offers a look at the top 32 draft-eligible players in the country for next year’s draft. Unsurprisingly, there are multiple SEC players high up on the list.
PFF has Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett as its No. 1 player on the board. While Garrett’s had somewhat of a quiet season with only 4.0 sacks and 9.5 tackles-for-loss, he appears much improved when it comes to stopping the run.
Couple that with his immense physical ability, and Garrett appears to be a lock for the top three.
The No. 2 player on the board is Alabama DL Jonathan Allen. A stalwart for Nick Saban’s defense, Allen’s proven to be a disruptive, quick, and powerful player within the interior of the Crimson Tide’s defensive front.
He leads all interior linemen in pass rush grade. Allen also has the versatility to line up at different spots within the defensive line. He’s eerily comparable to current New York Jets player Sheldon Richardson.
The No. 3 player according to PFF is Tennessee DE Derek Barnett. The junior has been a dominant player for the Vols dating back to his true freshman season.
Barnett plays with both energy and an edge — and often is very consistent when it comes to stopping the run. On the year, Barnett has accrued 9.0 sacks, 37 tackles, and 14.5 tackles-for-loss.
He has registered 29.0 sacks during his three-year collegiate career — the top mark of any player currently in the college game.
The last two SEC players within the top 10 include Florida DB Jalen Tabor (No. 7) and LSU running back Leonard Fournette (N0. 9).
Tabor represents the modern-day NFL corner — with long arms, terrific initial quickness, a great frame, and superlative catch-up speed. He’s dominated during his time in Gainesville, and appears primed to do so on the next level.
Fournette is a once-in-a-generation talent from the running back spot. He’s battled an ankle injury for much of this year, and isn’t overly fluid when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield.
With that said, he’s ready for the NFL right now. He’ll be a 15-20 carry player the moment he steps foot in an NFL training camp.
Other SEC players featuring within this piece include Auburn DE Carl Lawson (No. 12), Alabama rusher Tim Williams (N0. 14), Alabama LB Reuben Foster (No. 16), Mizzou DE Charles Harris (No. 17), Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham (No. 21), LSU DB Tre’Davious White (No. 22), LSU safety Jamal Adams (No. 28), Florida LB Jarrad Davis (No. 29), and Alabama DB Marlon Humphrey (No. 31).
