With NFL Draft complete, here are some of SEC's more interesting winners, losers
For the most part, the SEC won the 2017 NFL Draft. The best conference in America made its presence felt in each and every round.
A total of 53 players from the league were taken once the proceedings in Philadelphia were all said and done. The ACC was second with 42, while the Pac-12 had 36, the Big Ten had 35 and the Big 12 lagged behind with 14.
The biggest winner, of course, was Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett. There were rumors flying Thursday that the Cleveland Browns might change their minds and go with North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but ultimately they came to their senses and took Garrett at No. 1. He’ll sign a contract guaranteeing him about $30 million.
Trubisky ended up going No. 2 to the Chicago Bears, who surrendered two picks in this year’s draft — plus another one next year — to move up a single spot from No. 3. To put it kindly, they were fleeced by the San Francisco 49ers.
Getting back to the SEC, here are some of the winners and losers based on the perspective I had from the comfort of my couch.
WINNER
Legacy stories
Former Kentucky running back George Adams was a first-round pick in 1985, going 19th overall to the New York Giants.
When Jamal Adams was 10 years old, he bet his father that one day he would go higher in the draft. It turns out he was right, as the LSU safety went No. 6 to the New York Jets — he’s got a terrific personality for the Big Apple, too. It’s even possible that he’s a bargain despite being pegged so high. He might’ve been the best player available.
Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey also went in Round 1. His father, one-time Crimson Tide tailback Bobby Humphrey, was a supplemental first-rounder in 1989.
LOSER
Bum shoulders
Two ‘Bama defenders, end Jonathan Allen and linebacker Reuben Foster, were supposedly locks for the Top 10, if not the Top 5.
Instead, Allen unexpectedly slipped to the Washington Redskins at No. 17. Foster, meanwhile, didn’t hear his name called until the 49ers at No. 31. Nobody questions their production in Tuscaloosa, although both players were hounded by possible shoulder problems. Nothing can kill a draft grade faster than a medical reg flag.
While Allen and Foster managed to stay in Round 1, each watched helplessly as millions of dollars in guaranteed money went up in smoke.
WINNER
Rocky Top
Incredibly, Tennessee didn’t have a single player selected in either of the last two drafts. That’s nothing short of stunning.
When Volunteers pass rusher Derek Barnett came off the board at No. 14 to the Philadelphia Eagles — he was greeted quite warmly by locals — it ended a dubious streak for one of the league’s supposed blue-blood programs. But Barnett (below) going to the City of Brotherly Love is apropos since he broke Reggie White’s sack record in Knoxville.
With two Vols chosen in Round 3 and three more in Round 4, including quarterback Joshua Dobbs, UT appears to be on the right track again.
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
LOSER
Weak East
The SEC tied the all-time conference record with 12 picks in the first round, matching its own mark (2013) that it shares with the ACC (2006).
That being said, the imbalance between the two divisions was just as apparent in the draft as it has been on the field. Of those dozen players, nine of them came from programs in the ridiculously loaded West. Only three (Barnett, Florida’s Jarrad Davis and Missouri’s Charles Harris) represented the lagging-behind East.
Two programs, Kentucky and South Carolina, didn’t have anybody drafted. Needless to say, both are situated in the East.
WINNER
The Mad Hatter
Former LSU coach Les Miles remains unemployed despite his desire to stay on the sideline and not get kicked up to the broadcast booth.
Sure, question his in-game decisions. Still, never doubt his ability to attract elite prospects. Only the Tide had more first-rounders than the Tigers. From senior cornerback Tre’Davious White to a pair of draft-eligible juniors, Adams and tailback Leonard Fournette, all three of them originally committed to Miles.
Maybe Miles will have more success on his next interview and perhaps find a new home. His reputation for connecting with premier players was strengthened.
LOSER
The Sunshine State
More often than not, no state in the union produces more football players than Florida. Every coach must have a presence there in recruiting.
Nevertheless, not one first-round pick in this year’s draft hails from the Sunshine State. Eight states produced multiple guys in Round 1, and while the usual suspects like California and Texas made that list, so did Illinois and Wisconsin. Even Utah, which has maybe one-tenth of the high school talent Florida does, had a first-rounder.
More than likely, it’s just an aberration. Plenty of Florida kids went in Rounds 2-7. It’s no less interesting of a nugget, though.
WINNER
Character concerns
What do Caleb Brantley, Chad Kelly and Tim Williams have in common? Each tumbled down the draft board due to off-the-field issues.
Brantley, a defensive tackle from Florida, had a second-round grade but didn’t get selected until Round 6. Kelly, a quarterback from Ole Miss, was likely a mid-round pick had he come out last year but ended up being Mr. Irrelevant in Round 7 this year. Williams, a pass rusher from Alabama, fell out of the Top 10 all the way to Round 3.
Whether it’s punching a woman (allegedly), starting a fight in a nightclub or flunking drug tests, respectively, the NFL has a long memory.
LOSER
Premature declaration
Of the 25 prospects from the SEC who left eligibility on the table in order to enter the draft, six were first-round choices.
On the other hand, five didn’t get taken at all. With the benefit of hindshight, it’s fair to say that Georgia linebacker Tim Kimbrough, Ole Miss receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow, Kentucky tailback Stanley “Boom” Williams and Texas A&M wideouts Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones should’ve gone back to school.
They’re now forced to try to catch on with clubs as undrafted free agents. Each is a long shot at best to make an NFL roster.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
