It’s been two years since an SEC cornerback was taken in the first round of the NFL draft.

That modest streak will end Thursday, when Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III is expected to hear his name called early in the first round.

How early? He’s unlikely to match LSU’s Patrick Peterson, the No. 5 overall pick in 2011. But Hargreaves is a likely top 10 pick, with a potential return home to Tampa, a likely destination.

Hargreaves is the only first-round lock, but the overall class shapes up better than last year, when just five SEC defensive backs were selected.

Here’s a look at the SEC defensive backs receiving the most draft hype:

Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida: Hargreaves entered the offseason in a race with Jalen Ramsey to become the first defensive back selected, but Ramsey has vaulted toward the top of the draft. Some say the former FSU star might go as high as No. 3. Hargreaves still is viewed as a top 10 pick.

Keanu Neal, S, Florida: He’s the second-best safety in the class, according to WalterFootball.com. Draft analyst Mike Mayok ranked Neal third. Either way, he projects as a likely second or third round pick.

Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama: Mayok ranked Jones the fourth best corner in the draft, third if you consider FSU’s Ramsey more of a safety. That’s heady stuff considering Jones was somewhat overshadowed in his own secondary last season by Minkah Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jackson. Jones also adds versatility as a weapon in the return game.

Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State: WalterFootball.com ranked Redmond the 12th best cornerback in the draft and slotted him to be picked between the third and fifth round. NFL.com gave Redmond a 5.6 grade (Ramsey led the way at 6.8), which was tied for seventh and slightly ahead of Jones.

Jalen Mills, S, LSU: A preseason leg injury wiped out the start of Mills’ senior season, but he recovered in time to play and participate in the Combine. Unhappy with those results, Mills put on a show at LSU’s pro day, dramatically improving his 40-time while increasing his stock. WalterFootball.com projects Mills will be taken between the third and fifth round.

Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn: Jones was No. 21 on WalterFootball.com’s rankings, despite being one of the fastest players in the draft. He ran a 4.33 at the Combine. Most projections have him in the fourth round to sixth round range. Teams will take a flier on an athlete with that kind of speed.

A.J. Stamps, S, Kentucky: He wasn’t part of the NFL Combine and isn’t on any top 100 lists, but he is considered a late-round grab. WalterFootball.com ranked him No. 21 among safeties and projects him as a third-day pick.

Trae Elston, S, Ole Miss: Elston was a Combine snub, overlooked primarily because of his size. Some, but not all, mocks have him going in the seventh round. Free agency seems just as likely.

There are several more SEC defensive backs who are in similar circumstances, including LSU’s troubled Rashard Robinson, Mississippi State’s Taveze Calhoun, Florida’s Brian Poole, among others.

As for those on the draft bubble, a reminder: As Tim Tebow said after Denver surprisingly drafted him in the first round, only one team has to like you.

Non-SEC DBs to worry about

1. Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, FSU
2. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
3. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
4. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
5. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State

3 SEC players to watch 2017

1. Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
2. Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
3. Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU