The spring attention at Ole Miss has been on replacing the Rebels who will go in the first round of the NFL draft.
On draft night in Chicago, the attention turns to celebrating a historic night for the program when as many as three Rebels are expected to walk across the first-round stage.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil was pointed toward becoming the No. 1 pick. Then Tennessee traded its top spot leaving Tunsil in limbo. DT Robert Nkemdiche’s stock is in limbo more because of his off-the-field behavior and WR Laquon Treadwell’s stock is all over the map. Here are three things to watch for.
1. HOW DO YOU PASS ON LAREMY TUNSIL?
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze doesn’t know how to answer that question. After Ole Miss’ pro day where Freeze watched Tunsil breeze through 34 reps on a 225-bench, Freeze had this to say.
“I don’t care who you have on your team, I don’t see how you can bypass Laremy Tunsil,” Freeze said. “If protecting your quarterback at the left tackle position is something you want to make sure you can secure, Laremy is that guy.”
The Superman strength Tunsil (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) showed at pro day only begins to recap what NFL teams love about his on-the-field skills.
Freeze praises the same thing scouts do, Tunsil’s uncanny agility in his lower body and his quickness.
Tunsil won’t be the top pick, but if Freeze’s thought process wins out, San Diego will take him at No. 3 and give Philip Rivers an April birthday present.
2. HISTORIC NIGHT ON TAP
Ole Miss is enjoying its biggest draft buzz, arguably ever and definitely since Eli Manning was taken with the top pick in 2004.
That draft, Manning was one of four Rebels taken in the first six rounds. If all goes as expected, Thursday will be the first time three Rebels have gone in the first round.
Tunsil is a No. 1 pick sliding only because of trades. One less fall from a hotel window and Nkemdiche may be a top 20 pick. A little less focus on Treadwell’s overly-scrutinized 40 and he might be considered what Ole Miss fans believe he is – the best receiver in the country.
To top it off, five more Rebels have a chance to be selected: OT Fahn Cooper, WR Cody Core, S Trae Elston, DB Mike Hilton and DE Channing Ward.
Freeze’s celebrated 2013 class lasted three season. Multiple Rebels on the stage in the first round is something to celebrate.
3. WHO GOES FIRST, NKEMDICHE OR TREADWELL?
That depends on a few things: what teams value, what teams need and for the purpose of predicting, who you ask.
Treadwell ran a 4.63 40-yard dash at pro day. In the late teens and early 20s, we will find out what teams treasure. Baylor WR Corey Coleman’s 4.37? TCU WR Josh Doctson’s 4.50? Or Treadwell’s 4.63, but overwhelming hands and ability to wrestle in midair?
Texans GM Rick Smith said at a pre-draft press conference the most important speed is “play speed.” Houston will have a chance to walk that walk at No. 22 when the first receiver off the board could be – and should be – Treadwell.
Nkemdiche’s draft spot is all over the mock board. CBS Sports has him as high as No. 19 to Buffalo and as low as No. 32 to Denver.
There are arguments for both. What can’t be argued is his ability to use his 6-foot-3, 294-pound frame to literally sling offensive linemen off with each arm. That strong and that agile screams No. 19 more than No. 32.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Laremy Tunsil, OT (first round)
Laquon Treadwell, WR (first round)
Robert Nkemdiche, DT (first round)
Cody Core, WR (fifth round)
Fahn Cooper, OT (sixth round)
Trae Elston, S (free agent)
Mike Hilton, DB (free agent)
Channing Ward, DE (free agent)
RECENT DRAFT HISTORY
2015: One second-round (Senquez Golson)
2014: One third-round (Donte Moncrief)
2013: No picks
2012: One fourth-round (Bobby Massie)
2011: One sixth-round (Jerrell Powe)
