The talent level at the NFL level is a truly magnificent thing. When you’re watching an NFL game, you know you’re watching the absolute best of the best. It’s one of the compelling reasons to watch an SEC game – you know you’re watching the best of the best in college ball.

When you look at the final results of an NFL Draft, you’re sure to see dozens of players hailing from the SEC because the conference is far and away the most productive in terms of developing elite NFL talent.

So what would a list look like of the best SEC draft picks from, say, the past 5 years? Here’s that list. Remember though, this is only from the past five years (so no Julio Jones, Cam Newton, etc.) and I’m not including the 2018 NFL Draft, since we obviously haven’t seen them play an NFL down yet.

10. FS Tyrann Mathieu, 3rd round, 2013

The former SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist slipped to the third round of the 2013 Draft due to off-the-field issues and concerns about his size after measuring in at the Combine at 5-9/186. Mathieu hasn’t had any issues off-the-field since he entered the league and has become remarkably productive on it, hearkening back memories of the dramatic playmaker we all saw back in 2011 at LSU.

Mathieu has become one of the most exciting playmakers in the NFL and his versatility has proven to be his most valuable asset. The Cardinals played him at CB, NB, FS, SS depending on their sub package and depth, and opposing offenses always need to account for him when he’s on the field. Through five seasons he has been named to 2 All-Pro teams at 2 positions (slot corner and free safety).

9. QB Dak Prescott, 4th round, 2016

The Cowboys were planning on bringing Prescott, a 4th round pick in 2016, along slowly to develop into a possible heir to Tony Romo. Turns out, injuries forced Prescott into the starting lineup before week 1, and he was so good that the team essentially forced Romo into retirement when he came back healthy. He would go on to be named NFL Rookie of the Year and also be named to the Pro Bowl after an outstanding rookie season that saw him throw for more than 3,600 yards (67.8% completion) with a terrific 23/5 TD to INT ratio.

Prescott took a slight step back in his sophomore season (3,324 yards, 62.8%, 22/13), but that’s to be expected as he also played without star RB Zeke Elliott for much the year. His mechanics will seemingly always be a work in progress, but his poise, leadership skills and playmaking ability have firmly entrenched him among the budding young QB stars in the NFL.

8. WR Mike Evans, 1st round, 2014

There’s a few guys on this list who were drafted high and have done nothing but live up to the immense hype – Evans is one of those guys. Picked 7th overall in 2014 out of Texas A&M, Evans has gone over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four seasons and caught 32 TDs along the way, being named to a Pro Bowl and an All-Pro team.

Everyone knew his size (6-5/235) would make him a mismatch at the next level, but the polish of his game has stood out to me. His routes are better than I thought they would be and his ability to read and adjust to changing coverages has really been impressive, and his blocking has consistently improved. Plus, with guys who run 4.5+ you’re always concerned with the ability to get consistent separation, and that hasn’t been a problem for him. Truthfully, inconsistency at QB has been the thing that has held him back the most.

7. OLB Jadeveon Clowney, 1st round, 2014

Similarly to Evans only with more hype, a guy who is picked 1-1 is expected to do big things. For the first season and a half as he fought through various injuries, people were already labeling Clowney a bust after being called a “transcendental talent” in the pre-draft buildup. The past two seasons, however, Clowney has been healthy and hungry, resulting in 2 Pro Bowls and a first team All-Pro nod in 2016.

His twitch and get-off are stuff of legend, which is why combined with his length, you knew he’d eventually develop into a pass rusher, after constantly getting by on his pure athleticism alone through high school and college. Playing the run has always been his most consistent attribute, so now that he’s developing some polish as a pass rusher, he’s becoming one of the most complete defensive players in the NFL. The monster payday that’s coming his way in the near future will be indicative of that.

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6. SS Landon Collins, 2nd round, 2015

I’m honestly a bit surprised at the kind of player Collins has become in the NFL, because I was really scared about his ability to cover at the next level — which is the primary reason he fell out of the first round in 2015. I was concerned he might be forced to move to LB like Mark Barron. I’ll happily admit I was wrong though, because right now there are very few holes in Collins’ game and he’s become one of the best safeties in the league.

Whether it’s dropping back into coverage for a single high look, coming up into the box to stop the run, playing enforcer in zone across the middle or blitzing off the edge – Collins can do it all. He really came into his own in 2016, when he racked up 125 tackles, 4 sacks and 5 INTs – good for first team All-Pro (and he should have been named Defensive Player of the Year over Khalil Mack).

5. RB Alvin Kamara, 3rd round, 2017

Some might argue this is too low for Kamara, who blew the league away in his rookie season as he combined for 1,554 yards rushing and receiving – and even added a 106-yard kick returned for a TD as good measure. Not bad for a third-round pick. The fact that he’s only put together one outstanding season isn’t quite compelling enough to put him ahead of some of the guys we’re about to mention, who are titanic names in the game today.

Kamara represents the future of the RB position to many people – guys who can make an impact in the rushing attack and the receiving game as well. Kamara’s 81 receptions last year were fifth in the NFC last year, and playing with a creative offensive mind like Sean Payton has no doubt unlocked the talents that were rarely on display at Tennessee, where he was primarily a backup to Jalen Hurd, who is now a WR at Baylor.

4. WR Jarvis Landry, 2nd round, 2014

Landry slipped to the second round because most teams couldn’t justify spending a first on a 5-11 WR who ran a 4.61. We all know though, 40-times in a controlled environment are hardly the most indicative measure of success at the next level for a WR – precise routes, ability to get separation and reliable hands are of far greater importance, and those are areas where Landry excels. In fact, Landry has been so productive that he’s set an NFL record for most career receptions in a players’ first 4 seasons, with 400.

The 3-time Pro Bowl WR was heavily rewarded for such production this offseason. After being traded from the Dolphins to the Browns, he signed a 5-year, $75.5 million extension – making him one of the most highly paid WRs in the league.

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3. ILB C.J. Mosley, 1st round, 2014

The Ravens have certainly received a good return on their investment in Mosley, picked 17th overall in the 2014 Draft out of Alabama. Through four seasons he’s been named to 3 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro teams. Ironically enough, the year he wasn’t named to either (2015) was arguably his best season, in which he set careers-highs for tackles, sacks and fumble recoveries.

His consistency and reliability have been remarkably impressive through his first 4 seasons, and he continues to spearhead a (usually) vaunted Ravens defense with a prestigious history. He took a step back against the run last year, but numerous injuries around him contributed to that, and in terms of coverage there are very few linebackers with his awareness and range. He’s another guy due for a big payday.

2. WR Odell Beckham Jr., 1st round, 2014

When he’s fully healthy, he’s arguably the most dynamic WR in the NFL and one of the most electrifying playmakers in the game. His route running, ability to find holes in zone and separate from man coverage are astounding, and he has some of the best hands in the game. His first three seasons in the league were historic as he caught 288 balls for 4,122 and 35 TDs in just 43 games – making him the fastest player to reach 4,000 receiving yards.

The 2-time All-Pro missed the bulk of the 2017 season with a fractured ankle but is expected to return to full strength this fall. The bigger question about his status for this fall will be regarding his contract. He’s indicated he won’t play a down until he signs a new deal — a deal in which he’s expressed the desire to be the highest paid player in the NFL.

1. RB Todd Gurley, 1st round, 2015

Finally we reach Gurley, a 2-time All-Pro and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year who has become arguably the most valuable offensive player in the game (not counting QBs). He burst out of the gates as a rookie in 2015, rushing for 1,106 yards on 229 carries (4.8 avg.) and 10 TDs in just 13 games. His second season was less encouraging but understandable now considering the poor coaching and QB play from rookie Jared Goff.

He really blew up in 2017 when he rushed for 1,305 yards on 279 carries (4.7 avg.) and 13 TDs. It wasn’t in the rushing attack where he became truly invaluable, however, it was when he took the next steps developing as a receiver. Gurley finished the 2017 season with 64 receptions (which led the Rams) for 788 yards (second most) and 6 TDs (also second most). Imagine where the Rams would be without the former Georgia star. Other than subpar pass blocking, he’s the epitome of a complete back who affects the offense in countless ways.