Check out the NFL.com draft grades for the SEC's top prospects
The SEC pours first-round talent into the NFL on an annual basis, just as readily as the conference corrals five-star recruits.
Still, the number of players from the SEC who become All-Pro talents at the next level is limited.
Now that we’re one week removed from the Combine, we decided to check out the NFL.com draft grades for some of the SEC’s top 2016 prospects. The site uses an interesting grading scale:
Just 12 SEC players from this year’s draft class exhibit future Pro Bowl potential, while just 19 look like potential early starters at the NFL level. It’s a good reminder of just how difficult it is even for five-star recruits to morph into big-time NFL talents.
Here’s a look at the 19 SEC players who scored at least a 5.70 on the NFL.com draft rating scale, including an excerpt from the NFL.com analysis.
FUTURE ALL-PRO (1)
- Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss: “From a talent and technique standpoint, Tunsil is easily cleanest offensive lineman in the 2016 draft and might be the cleanest prospect period. … Ultimately, his feet, technique and instincts could make him an all-pro and one of the top pass protectors in the NFL.”
GOOD NFL STARTER WITH PRO BOWL POTENTIAL (5)
- Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida: “While scouts have voiced some concerns about Hargreaves’ size and recovery speed, you won’t find anyone who doesn’t admire his competitiveness and consistency of production.”
- A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama: “Hard to find an interior lineman with a more well-proportioned frame than Robinson. His size and overall talent level will have NFL teams drooling and projecting him along any and all defensive fronts, but his film might leave them hungry for more.”
- Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas: “Henry is a big body with the athleticism to get open, the hands to finish catches in traffic and the blocking ability to help give a running game the additional kick it might be missing on the edge.”
- Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama: “Thumping inside linebacker with throwback size and tonesetting mentality. Ragland is a confident and capable early starter in league who has the temperament to become one of the premier run-stopping inside linebackers in the pro game.”
- Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia: “Floyd is painfully thin and will struggle to matchup with the strength of NFL players, but he is rangy in space, plays with a good motor and has traits as a pass rusher that would be a mistake to ignore.”
CHANCE TO BECOME GOOD NFL STARTER (6)
- Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss: “His talent and frame are worthy of an early selection, but his lack of high-end production and character concerns could cause him to slide.”
- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss: “While Ole Miss used him underneath quite a bit, he runs quality downfield routes and has the ball skills needed to become a more vertical receiver than underneath, possession guy.”
- Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama: “Henry needs early running room as he’s not a creator in the backfield, but once he gets up a full head of steam, he is a nightmare with his ability to punish on the second and third level or take it to the house.
- Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida: “Bullard will need to improve his pass rush and add necessary size, but he is an ascending talent whose game should continue to improve at the next level.”
- Chris Jones, DL, Mississippi State: “Ascending prospect whose production this season matched the flashes he showed on tape. Jones has the quickness off the snap to disrupt in the gaps and the strength to control the point of attack.”
- Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama: “Reed is an elite run defender with the lower body strength to command his gap, but the instincts and timing to be productive as a tackler rather than just a space eater.”
COULD BECOME EARLY NFL STARTER (7)
- Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama: “Kelly might not be a combine warrior, but when the pads are strapped, he plays with enough strength and athleticism to thrive in both gap and zone running schemes.”
- Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn: “Coleman uses his length and redirect strength to overcome some of his lunging and waist-bending, but those issues will be highlighted against NFL edge rushers. Coleman is a long, talented run blocker who could garner early round attention at either tackle position.”
- Germain Ifedi, OL, Texas A&M: “NFL scouts see Ifedi as a guard, but a team may decide to try him at tackle before moving him inside. Ifedi has the tools and traits to become a good NFL offensive linemen if he can avoid the leaning and lunging that plagues him.”
- Keanu Neal, S, Florida: “His size, athleticism and hitting are the best in this draft. Neal isn’t limited to simple box tasks even though he thrives there.”
- Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri: “Brothers is a decisive, rhythm linebacker whose understanding of space and ability to improve his tackle positioning at the point of attack should make him a consistently productive inside linebacker in the pros.”
- Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU: “He might look like he skipped “leg day” for several years, but his height, speed and man-cover talent is undeniable. Robinson has the traits and talent to be considered one of the best press corners in this draft, but teams will have to weigh the character against the talent.”
- Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia: “(He) may not be viewed as dangerous enough as a pass rusher to warrant a first round pick, but he’s a safe pick whose toughness and football IQ make him an early starter candidate.”