SEC players I would take higher (or lower) than their current NFL Draft projections

Click around the internet for any reasonable period of time, and you’re sure to come across half a dozen mock drafts.

But finally, after months of analyzing — and, frankly, overanalyzing — just how effective these college prospects can eventually be in the NFL, the big weekend is here. Round 1 is Thursday, with Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.

Within minutes of the draft coming to a close, every publication under the sun will post its list of winners and losers. The fact of the matter is that we won’t honestly be able to grade each player as a boom or a bust for quite some time. It might take half a decade for a franchise to determine if it had a quality draft or not.

One way or another, most of the names about to be chosen have already been labeled to some degree. So-and-so is a first-rounder. Such-and-such is a seventh-rounder. However, once an organization is on the clock, anything is possible.

With that in mind, here are five from the SEC who I would take higher than they’re projected to go, as well as five I would select lower.

Alabama DE Jonathan Allen

Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Allen can’t go much higher than he’s currently projected. That being said, I’ve been writing for several weeks that I would take him before Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, the presumptive No. 1 pick. While that may leave some upside on the table, I’d be eliminating a lot of bust potential. To me, Allen is more of a sure thing.

PROJECTION: Top 5
JC’s PICK: No. 1 overall

Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham

Seemingly a lock for Round 1 when he originally declared a season early, Cunningham has slipped into the second round in a lot of mock drafts. An every-down linebacker, he won’t have to come off the field at the next level no matter if it’s run or pass. He has plenty of tape suggesting he can be a standout on special teams, too.

PROJECTION: Round 1-2
JC’s PICK: Round 1

Tennessee RB Alvin Kamara

Most of the chatter at the tailback position has centered around LSU’s Leonard Fournette, and rightly so, but Kamara might be better in the NFL than he ever was in college. Unlike Fournette, Kamara doesn’t have to worry about how much tread he has left on his tires. He’s also a more complete back and quite comfortable catching the football.

PROJECTION: Round 2
JC’s PICK: Round 1

LSU C/G Ethan Pocic

There are few things that organizations like more at the next level than versatility, and Pocic can provide it in spades. Be it at center or either of the two guard positions, there’s every reason to believe that he can be a Day 1 starter anywhere along the interior of the offensive line. He plays with a big chip on his shoulder, as well.

PROJECTION: Round 2-3
JC’s PICK: Round 2

Texas A&M WR Josh Reynolds

Most of the publicity in College Station was directed at Christian Kirk, who’s a fabulous receiver and dangerous return man, but Reynolds was actually a more effective downfield threat for Trevor Knight. While he doesn’t have a defining attribute to make scouts drool, Reynolds does everything reasonably well and should contribute.

PROJECTION: Round 4
JC’s PICK: Round 3

Auburn DE Carl Lawson

Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-foot-2 and 261 pounds, Lawson is the exact opposite of Garrett. He’s short for an edge rusher at the professional ranks, which makes it more difficult for him to knock down passes. I’m not sure he can be an outside linebacker in a 3-4, either. If he’s only a sub-package pass rusher, not a starter, then Round 2 is a shade early.

PROJECTION: Round 2
JC’s PICK: Round 3

Florida DT Caleb Brantley

Not nearly as productive as fellow former Gator Jonathan Bullard, who played the same position and went in Round 3 last year, Brantley is being given a higher grade for some reason. But most of all, he’s going to have to face a recent charge of punching a woman, which immediately removes him from many draft boards. He’s radioactive.

PROJECTION: Round 3
JC’s PICK: Undrafted free agent

Georgia WR Isaiah McKenzie

Forced to leave school due to academic issues, McKenzie is nowhere near a prototypical pass catcher in the pros at 5-foot-7 and 173 pounds. His best bet is to make himself a punt- and kick-return specialist, where he excelled between the hedges. Nevertheless, rules changes have made it harder for return men to make an impact on Sunday.

PROJECTION: Round 5
JC’s PICK: Round 7

Arkansas OT Dan Skipper

A big-name player at a program known for old-school play in the trenches, in reality Skipper was at least partially responsible for Austin Allen getting his brains beat in week after week. Skipper doesn’t have the footwork necessary to be a blind-side pass protector, plus his 6-foot-10 frame gives him leverage problems inside.

PROJECTION: Round 6
JC’s PICK: Round 7

Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly

Potentially a mid-round pick a year ago, Kelly went back to Oxford with hopes of having a monster senior season. Instead, he didn’t play well, got injured and remains haunted by his previous off-the-field mistakes. He hasn’t been healthy enough to work out for teams, so it’s difficult to see him being drafted at all.

PROJECTION: Round 6-7
JC’s PICK: Undrafted free agent

* All NFL Draft projections courtesy of CBSSports.com

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.