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SEC’s 10 best players not eligible for the 2016 NFL Draft

Chris Wright

By Chris Wright

Published:

The SEC could have five players taken among the first 10 picks on the 2016 NFL Draft.

Don’t fret. There’s plenty more where they came from.

Meet the next wave, the 10 best returning players who aren’t eligible for the draft this year.

10. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M, Freshman

Kirk edged Calvin Ridley to win SEC newcomer of the year award. He had more receiving yards and TD receptions than Ridley, despite playing in one fewer game, and was the SEC’s best punt returner. A&M has some QB issues, but that offense is geared to get play-makers the ball.

9. Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida, Freshman

Why is Callaway ranked higher than Kirk? Callaway is a bigger-play machine in the passing game and the return game. His receiving totals were misleadingly low, impacted by the mid-season switch to Treon Harris, which resulted in fewer passing-catching opportunities. Callaway made the most of his, however, including a 46-yard grab and 85-yard punt return for a TD against Alabama.

8. Jalen Hurd, RB, Tennessee, Sophomore

You can question the caliber of SEC QBs, but the RBs are stacked with young, impressive talent. Hurd gets the edge over Ralph Webb, Peyton Barber and Boom Williams for two reasons: First, he’ll be a key, maybe the key, in the Volunteers’ drive for an SEC East championship. Second, he’s 6-4, 240, bigger than Leonard Fournette, almost mirroring Derrick Henry. He ran for 1,158 yards and 11 TDs this season. It’s easy envisioning those grow to 1,500 and 15 or more next season.

7. Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida, Sophomore

In theory, it sounded wise to stay away from Vernon Hargreaves, to test the younger, slightly less heralded corner on the other side of Florida’s defensive formation. In theory. Tabor responded with a breakout season, matching Hargreaves with four interceptions, and returning two for touchdowns. Next season, Tabor will get the avoid-at-all-cost treatment.

6. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama, Freshman

Ridley gets the projection edge in part because he is bigger than Kirk or Callaway, something that will help him in the NFL. But the NFL can wait. Next year, without Derrick Henry to lean on, expect Ridley’s good numbers to jump into the great range. He already drew safety high help, so that won’t be a factor against his precise route-running ability.

5. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia, Sophomore

Remember him? Remember this?

Assuming Chubb is healed and ready after suffering a season-long knee injury, he’ll quickly challenge Leonard Fournette for the title of the SEC’s best running back.

Chubb, not Derrick Henry or Fournette, held that title entering the 2015 season.

4. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee, Sophomore

Barnett is bulkier than Myles Garrett and not quite the athlete, but he’s a force nonetheless. He had 10.0 sacks as a freshman and 9.0 this season. He’s a notch below Garrett, but that’s a pretty high bar to clear.

1C. Cam Robinson, LT, Alabama, Sophomore

Robinson, at 6-6, 326, is the SEC’s next great O-lineman, the 2016 version of Ole Miss’ Laremy Tunsil. Given how much NFL teams covet left tackles, Robinson is a candidate to be the first SEC player taken in the 2017 NFL Draft.

https://twitter.com/SBNationCFB/status/640358117025447936

1B. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M, Sophomore

Garrett, who led the SEC with 11.5 sacks as a sophomore — equalling his freshman output — also is a candidate to be the first SEC player taken in the 2017 NFL Draft. Built like Julius Peppers, he has uncoachable, and occasionally unblockable, speed on the outside.

1A. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU, Sophomore

Fournette won’t be the first SEC player taken in the 2017 NFL Draft because running backs typically don’t go top 5 anymore. (Trent Richardson in 2012 and Darren McFadden in 2008 are exceptions.) But he might give the SEC back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners for the just the second time. He’s the most dominant returning player — offensive or defensive — in the SEC.

https://vine.co/v/ePBzqul1aZF

Fournette will enter the 2016 with close to 3,000 career yards, meaning, with another season like this one (1,741 in 11 games, with a bowl game to go), he could challenge Herschel Walker’s SEC-record 5,259 career yards. That total also is the NCAA record for a three-year career.

McFadden and Kevin Faulk are the only other backs in SEC history to top 4,500 career yards.

Chris Wright
Chris Wright

Managing Editor

A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.

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