The 2022 NFL Draft is over and done. A total of 65 SEC players were chosen during the 7-round event in Las Vegas.

That led all major conferences, by far. The Big Ten was next with 48.

The SEC had the No. 1 overall pick in Georgia edge Travon Walker. That trend could certainly continue in 2023. So, which SEC players could end up going in Round 1 next year? Well, there are many.

So, let’s take a look at the 10 SEC standouts with the best chance of going in Round 1 in the 2023 NFL Draft:

10. Malachi Moore, DB, Alabama

Moore had an up-and-down 2021 season, recording only 16 tackles. But he still snagged an interception and broke up a pass in 9 games played. He’ll need a big 2022 season, but he certainly has the talent to put together a campaign worthy of a first-round pick. Alabama’s defense should be a force to be reckoned with. Moore will be the leader of the secondary. That’s worthy of a first-round pick.

9. Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn

Hall can line up anywhere and be productive. He can be a true linebacker and find success. He can stick his hand in the dirt and still get to the quarterback. He can, quite literally, do it all:

Hall was a standout on a strong Auburn defense in 2021, recording 52 tackles (12.5 for a loss) and 9 sacks. He’ll be the star of the defense this fall. We’ll see if he can do even more to improve his draft stock.

8. BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

Outside of Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama, Ojulari is perhaps the best pure pass rusher in the league. His creativity and speed set him apart from the rest of the field. Here he is using his shiftiness to get by Evan Neal, who just went No. 7 in the 2022 NFL Draft:

Ojulari had 54 tackles (12 for a loss) and 7 sacks in 2021. He’ll be counted on to do even more in 2022. But, there’s also a chance the defensive system can utilize his skills more. If it does, it’ll be a fun year in Baton Rouge for the skilled edge rusher.

7. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Ringo, of course, had the pick-6 that sealed Georgia’s win in the national championship game this past January:

That was 1 of only 2 interceptions he had all year, but he did break up 8 passes and record 34 tackles. That’s not bad on a Georgia defense that was chock full of first-round picks (including 3 guys – Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Ringo) who might be first-round selections in 2023.

Ringo has all the ball skills of a top corner. Now, we’ll just need to see if he can handle being the leader of the Bulldogs’ secondary in 2023.

6. Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU

Now that the May 1 transfer portal deadline has passed and Boutte is still at LSU, I’m all in on him this fall. I was honestly worried he was going to transfer, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at this point.

If he can shake the injury that cost him the second half of the 2021 season, he has a chance to be the best receiver in the SEC this fall. No, Boutte isn’t the tallest guy (neither is Tyreek Hill or DeVonta Smith). He isn’t the best route runner. But he absolutely makes plays and has speed for days:

If he comes back at 100% this fall, he should be a lock to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

5. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Richardson hasn’t spent a full season as Florida’s quarterback yet, but his talent is undeniable. The NFL comparison for Richardson is Lamar Jackson. If Jackson’s draft could be replayed, he’d go a lot higher than No. 32 overall.

Just watch this tape of Richardson and tell me he doesn’t look like Jackson:

He has a chance to improve his tape this fall, too. He’ll be the guy at Florida. He won’t just be a gimmick guy to use to spell Emory Jones or replace him when he’s injured. Richardson has a huge opportunity in front of him. If he takes advantage of it, he could end up being the No. 3 quarterback taken in the draft next year.

4. Jalen Catalon, S, Arkansas

Catalon’s 2021 season was cut short by injury, but if he has a full 2022 season, there aren’t many defensive backs in the country better than him. He’s a hard hitter, a ballhawk and a guy who always seems to make the right play.

Here’s a pick-6 he had back in 2020 against Ole Miss:

Here he is absolutely lighting up a would-be receiver:

He has 5 interceptions in 16 games the past 2 years. He also has 145 tackles the past 2 years. He reminds me a bit of Jamal Adams, the former LSU star. He went No. 6 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. That seems like the ceiling for Catalon, too.

3. Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

Arguably the best NFL Draft prospect from Georgia’s 2021 defense didn’t get drafted at all this past week. That’s because Carter decided to return to school in 2022.

Yes, Carter benefitted from playing alongside Jordan Davis last year (who didn’t?), but he’s a monster in his own right. His strength and bull-rushing ability are off the charts:

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Carter is the sort of guy you plug into the middle of your defensive line and let him go to work for the next 10 years. It’s absolutely crazy that Georgia had 2 of those guys in 2021. No wonder the Dawgs won it all.

2. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021, and for good reason. He set Alabama’s single-season passing yards and passing TDs record, putting up 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

This throw shows a lot of what he can do. Defender in his face, tough road environment, fading away from the line of scrimmage. Doesn’t matter. An absolute dime for a touchdown:

There’s going to be plenty of debate around whether Young or Ohio State’s CJ Stroud should be the first quarterback off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft. I’ll ride with Young.

1. Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama

It is very possible that Young (or Ohio State QB CJ Stroud) is the No. 1 overall pick next year, but make no mistake about it – Anderson is the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He’s an absolute wrecking ball coming off the edge:

He has the power, speed, agility and intelligence you need to become a Hall-of-Fame pass rusher. As an outside linebacker primarily tasked with rushing the passer, the fact that he had 101 tackles in 2021 is truly insane. Of those tackles, 31 were for a loss and 17.5 were sacks. He also broke up 3 passes.

Quarterback is king in the NFL, so don’t be surprised if a QB goes No. 1 overall to a team with a need. But, the team that gets Anderson in the top 5 of next year’s draft will be the real winner.