SEC's NFL Draft history: O.J. Howard set to join list of first-round picks at TE

The emergence of expanded roles for tight ends across the NFL in recent years has yet to reach the upper echelon of the NFL Draft, and by extension, the SEC has yet to see many prospects taken early in the NFL Draft.

Since 1963, just five SEC tight ends have been drafted in the first round, and four of those were taken by at least the No. 22 pick or later. Ben Watson, of Georgia and the New England Patriots, was the last such player taken in the first round, and that was 2004.

That narrative appears to be headed to the back burner.

RELATED: SEC’s QB history in first round | RB history in first round

Led by Alabama’s O.J. Howard, the class has drawn rave reviews from draft experts like ESPN’s Todd McShay, Mel Kiper, Jr. and the NFL Network’s Mike Mayock in a story by the Florida Times-Union.

Though some mock drafts have Howard projected to go in the top 10, others have him slated for the middle of the first round.

While some tight ends like Ole Miss’ Evan Engram are considered to be a more modern tight end, meaning more pass catcher than blocker, Howard is at the top of the class because he has the best all-around package of skills.

Howard burst on the national scene in the national championship game a year ago against Clemson, and made an extra season in Tuscaloosa pay off. Before he decided to stay for another season, Howard was considered a first-round talent in the 2016 draft. Howard was named a third-team All-American and the top practice player at the Senior Bowl before he ran the second-fastest combine time among tight ends.

Engram, conversely, was a first-team All-American, has an outside chance to make the first round, but is more likely to be taken in the second round. Engram in 2016 had 926 yards and eight touchdowns, and at the combine, ran the fasted 40-yard dash among tight ends at 4.42 seconds. But one drawback for Engram is he’s the lightest tight end at the combine at just 234 pounds.

Here is the history of SEC tight ends drafted in the first round: