The 2020 NFL Draft begins Thursday, which is doubly exciting this year as we’re starved for any sort of fresh sports content amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

For SEC fans, this year’s draft could be even more fascinating, as there’s a chance the conference sets a record with 16 (or maybe as many as 18) 1st-round picks. Over the course of the 7-round draft, it’s likely that every SEC team will have at least 1 player drafted.

Who will be each team’s first player to hear his name called? There are some easy calls (LSU, obviously), but other schools will have to wait and see.

Here are my predictions for how the draft will play out for each SEC program:

No-brainers

LSU: Joe Burrow, QB

Burrow is projected by almost everyone to be the No. 1 overall pick, which is owned by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals would be wise not to overthink things. Just take Burrow (an Ohio native) and start the rebuilding process around him. Even with all the potential LSU 1st-round picks (Kristian Fulton, Justin Jefferson, K’Lavon Chaisson, Patrick Queen, Grant Delpit and others), Burrow stands out above the rest.

Auburn: Derrick Brown, DL

Brown is an absolute stud and perhaps the most NFL-ready player in this draft class. Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene is getting some late 1st-round buzz, but if Brown isn’t off the board by pick No. 10, I’d be stunned.

South Carolina: Javon Kinlaw, DL

Brown is the best interior defensive lineman in this draft, but Kinlaw is right behind him. Kinlaw will be off the board by the end of Round 1, probably by pick No. 20 at the latest. There are always teams looking for defensive linemen, and Kinlaw is a very safe pick.

Georgia: Andrew Thomas, OL

D’Andre Swift is widely considered the best running back in the 2020 draft class, but that doesn’t mean he’s a lock to be a 1st-round pick. Such is the nature of the running back position in today’s NFL. Thomas, however, is one of the top handful of linemen in the draft, so expect him to be picked in the first half of Round 1.

Florida: CJ Henderson, DB

The Gators will have a few players drafted, including Jonathan Greenard, Jabari Zuniga, Van Jefferson, Lamical Perine and potentially others, but only Henderson is a Round 1 talent. He should know which team he’ll be playing for on Sundays before the end of Thursday.

Pretty sure

Alabama: Tua Tagovailoa, QB

Tagovailoa is close to a lock to be a top 6 pick, as I’d be stunned if he got past the Chargers at No. 6 overall. OL Jedrick Wills Jr. could go to the Giants at No. 4, but if I had to bet, I’d say Tagovailoa is the first Alabama player to hear his name called this year.

Mizzou: Jordan Elliott, DL

Elliott has gotten some late 1st-round buzz lately, but he’s more likely to be a 2nd-round pick. However, if he falls to Round 3, there’s a chance TE Albert Okwuegbunam could actually be the first Tiger drafted.

Kentucky: Lynn Bowden Jr., WR

Bowden makes plays. That’s what he does. No matter where he lines up, whether it’s at receiver, quarterback or return man, he is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Somewhere between Rounds 2-4, a team will pick Bowden. Hopefully, that team is smart enough to use him creatively to maximize his potential.

Mississippi State: Cameron Dantzler, CB

Dantzler, LB Willie Gay and a couple of linemen could be drafted for the Bulldogs, but I think Dantzler could come off the board in the middle of Round 2. I’d be surprised if he were still available at the end of Round 3.

Texas A&M: Justin Madubuike, DL

Madubuike really burst onto the scene the past couple of years. Now, he’ll likely be a Day 2 pick. I think he could come off the board in the middle of the 2nd round, where teams will be looking for value along both lines. NFL teams could do a heck of a lot worse than Madubuike.

Up for debate

Tennessee: Jauan Jennings (WR) or Darrell Taylor (Edge)

Jennings’ draft projections are all over the place. I’ve seen him in Round 1 and I’ve seen full 7-round mock drafts without him mentioned at all. Meanwhile, Taylor seems like a solid Day 2 prospect. So, this all comes down to whether a team is willing to take a chance on Jennings early in the draft. My prediction is Taylor comes off the board first.

Arkansas: Kamren Curl (S) or McTelvin Agim (DL)

It’s possible Curl and Agim are the only Razorbacks drafted, though a couple of others (like LB De’Jon Harris) could be selected, too. Some teams seem higher on Curl than others, so we’ll see if he can sneak into Day 2 of the proceedings. If he can, he could be taken before Agim, who seems to me like an early Day 3 prospect.

Ole Miss: Qaadir Sheppard (LB) or Josiah Coatney (DL)

Both are Day 3 prospects. I could see either taken in Round 5 and I could also see both going undrafted. It’s tough to predict which players teams will take chances on in Rounds 4-7, so we’ll see how this year plays out for this pair of Rebels.

Vanderbilt: Ke’Shawn Vaughn (RB), Jared Pinkney (TE) or Kalija Lipscomb (WR)

Any of the Commodores’ 3 offensive weapons could be Vandy’s first pick. I think 1 will go on Day 2, and if you forced me to pick today, I’d probably go with Lipscomb.