The SEC led all conferences with 10 first-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, with Georgia LB Roquan Smith being the first off the board at No. 8.

Even after that incredible showing, the SEC could be even more loaded this time next year, as it’s possible 12 or more ex-SEC stars could be chosen in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

In CBS Sports’ first 2019 mock draft, 12 SEC players are projected to go in Round 1, led by South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel at No. 3 overall:

  • No. 3 — Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina — New York Jets
  • No. 6 — Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn — Miami Dolphins
  • No. 7 — Greg Little, OL, Ole Miss — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • No. 8 — Greedy Williams, DB, LSU — Washington Redskins
  • No. 9 — Drew Lock, QB, Mizzou — Denver Broncos
  • No. 14 — Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama — Seattle Seahawks
  • No. 15 — Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky — Detroit Lions
  • No. 19 — Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama — Atlanta Falcons
  • No. 22 — A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss — Baltimore Ravens
  • No. 25 — Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama — Green Bay Packers
  • No. 27 — Deandre Baker, DB, Georgia — Kansas City Chiefs
  • No. 29 — Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn — Green Bay Packers

Obviously, there’s a full year to go before the 2019 draft, but this is a good sign for the conference heading into the 2018 season.

If these players take care of business, big paydays could be in their near futures.