Many analysts have been saying the SEC has been having a down year, and that may be proven when the 2018 NFL Draft rolls around.

After having 12 players from six different schools selected in the first round in 2017, early mock drafts are not as high on the SEC this year.

In fact, the latest first-round mock draft from USA TODAY has only five SEC players going in the first round, and all five are either from Alabama or LSU:

  • No. 6 — Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama — Chicago Bears
  • No. 11 — Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU — Los Angeles Rams
  • No. 17 — Derrius Guice, RB, LSU — Washington Redskins
  • No. 24 — Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama — Tennessee Titans
  • No. 32 — Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama — New England Patriots

To be fair, those are five very talented players who could make an immediate impact for their new teams, but many would criticize the SEC for having only five players selected.

Of course, it’s still early, and guys like Georgia RB Nick Chubb and others still have time to play their way into the opening round of the 2018 draft.