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Ranking SEC players who gave up a year (or two) of eligibility to enter NFL Draft
By John Crist
Published:
A total of 97 players left eligibility on the table in order to declare early for this year’s NFL Draft, and 25 of them are from the SEC.
As you might expect, no other league has more. In each of the last 10 drafts, the best conference in America has had the most first-round picks and total selections. The level of talent is simply unmatched across the country.
When the draft begins Thursday in Philadelphia, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is expected to go No. 1 overall to Cleveland. Despite the fact that the Browns are in need of a quarterback — and have been for way too long — Garrett is the premier prospect available regardless of position according to most of the experts.
Garrett is the one of the aforementioned SEC products who could’ve gone back to school but instead chose to get a head start on his professional career. It was a no-brainer decision, as the former Aggie had nothing left to prove at the collegiate level.
Here is how I rank all 25 of the conference’s early entrants, from the obvious first-round locks to the dubious undrafted free agents.
ROUND 1
1. Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
The quintessential freak, as nobody his size should move the way he does, Garrett has the potential to be a Hall of Fame pass rusher.
2. LSU S Jamal Adams
The prototypical defensive back for 21st century football, Adams can equally effective in the box and out in space.
3. LSU RB Leonard Fournette
Perhaps the next Adrian Peterson, who took the NFL by storm as a rookie, Fournette is a between-the-tackles pounder who craves contact.
4. Tennessee DE Derek Barnett
Despite playing in Garrett’s shadow, Barnett was the most consistent pass rusher in the league last season and didn’t have much help.
5. Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham
To label him as the best player on a bad team is a disservice, as Cunningham has everything scouts look for in an every-down linebacker.
6. Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey
While most cover men are only graded on their ability to defend the pass, Humphrey also stops the run with rare aggressiveness for the position.
7. Missouri DE Charles Harris
Another fierce pass rusher stuck on an awful defense, Harris has worked his way up from unheralded 2-star recruit to likely first-round draft pick.
ROUND 2
8. Tennessee RB Alvin Kamara
With the disappointing Jalen Hurd finally out of his way, Kamara appeared to be the better back and much more versatile in the passing game.
9. Alabama OT Cam Robinson
Even if his future is inside at guard instead of outside at tackle, Robinson is a mauler in the trenches and perfect for a power running game.
10. Florida CB Teez Tabor
Poor times in the 40-yard dash have hurt his draft stock, but Tabor has enviable instincts in coverage and a nose for the ball.
11. Florida CB Quincy Wilson
Few teams have produced more NFL-ready defensive backs than the Gators, as some scouts think Wilson has more upside than Tabor.
12. Auburn DE Carl Lawson
Even if he’s a bit undersized, Lawson has a relentless motor and at the very least can be a pass-rushing specialist in sub packages.
ROUND 3
13. Alabama WR ArDarius Stewart
While Calvin Ridley got most of the attention, Stewart was actually the most dangerous threat in the Crimson Tide aerial attack this past year.
14. Tennessee WR Josh Malone
A big-play artist, Malone entered the draft early with Joshua Dobbs out of eligibility and put 4.4 speed on display at the Scouting Combine.
ROUND 4
15. Florida OT David Sharpe
Another tackle in college who’s probably better off at guard, Sharpe will have more help around him in the pros than he did in Gainesville.
16. LSU DT Davon Godchaux
Although he didn’t test particularly well during the pre-draft evaluation process, Godchaux belongs in a defensive line rotation at the next level.
17. Florida LB Alex Anzalone
He doesn’t have a ton of college tape due to injuries and a loaded depth chart, but Anzalone looked to be a natural fit at the Senior Bowl.
ROUND 5
18. Florida DT Caleb Brantley
Probably a second-rounder on pure ability, Brantley is radioactive right now with a violent charge for punching a woman currently following him.
19. LSU WR Malachi Dupre
More potential than production with the Bayou Bengals, many draftniks believe Dupre’s best play is still in front of him.
ROUND 6
20. Georgia WR Isaiah McKenzie
Somewhat forced to leave Athens due to pending academic issues, McKenzie is tiny by NFL standards but also one of the best return men in the draft.
ROUND 7
21. Ole Miss WR Damore’ea Stringfellow
Barred from the Scouting Combine because of previous off-the-field problems, Stringfellow’s size and skills will catch some team’s attention.
22. Texas A&M WR Ricky Seals-Jones
Technically a receiver with the Aggies, Seals-Jones might be better off creating mismatches in the league as a tight end.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
23. Kentucky RB Stanley “Boom” Williams
Half of the Wildcats’ explosive rushing attack in 2016, Williams enters a loaded draft for running backs and didn’t generate much buzz.
24. Texas A&M WR Speedy Noil
When you combine a lack of consistent play-making with a long list of issues off the field, Noil isn’t getting much attention at the finish line.
25. Georgia LB Tim Kimbrough
Originally planning to transfer from the Bulldogs after not playing last season, Kimbrough instead curiously decided to enter the draft.
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.
John Crist is an award-winning contributor to Saturday Down South.
