The SEC usually leads all conferences in first-round NFL Draft picks, and it doesn’t look like the 2019 draft will be any different.
The only question is — how many SEC athletes will go in Round 1of the NFL Draft? Most projections have around a dozen, but on Sunday, CBS Sports analyst Chris Trapasso’s latest mock draft had a whopping 16 SEC players.
Landing half of the first-round picks would be an unprecedented accomplishment for the SEC, but it’s not entirely out of reach, either. Here are the players Trapasso thinks will go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft this April:
NFL 2019 Draft Preview
- No. 4 — AJ Brown, WR, Ole Miss — New York Jets
“This is a deep receiver class, but the Cardinals and Jets really need receivers to help their young signal-callers. Brown is more of a slot wideout than Harry, and that’s fine. He’s outstanding after the catch and has an NFL body.”
- No. 5 — Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama — Buffalo Bills
“The Bills need to build a sturdy offensive line around Josh Allen, especially considering his field-stretching arm and the vast vertical elements in Buffalo’s offensive scheme. Williams is the best blocker in the draft and began his career at Alabama on the right side. He starts at right tackle for Buffalo as a rookie.”
- No. 6 — Drew Lock, QB, Mizzou — Jacksonville Jaguars
“The Jaguars have to find a new franchise signal-caller, and in this scenario, they fall in love with the arm strength and SEC experience of Lock.”
- No. 8 — Greedy Williams, DB, LSU — Cleveland Browns
“Time for the Browns to get Denzel Ward a cornerback partner. Williams is a long, fluid outside corner who’d complement Ward well.”
- No. 9 — Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky — Detroit Lions
“Lions head coach Matt Patricia knows the impact a versatile edge-defender can have on a defence based on his time with Rob Ninkovich in New England. Allen can play a similar role to Ninkovich during his prime with the Patriots, but the Kentucky star is more athletic.”
- No. 10 — Deandre Baker, DB, Georgia — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“The Buccaneers might be reluctant to take a smaller corner after the nightmare of an early portion of an NFL career for Vernon Hargreaves. But Baker is a much more physical outside defender.”
- No. 14 — Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama — Carolina Panthers
“At this point, we don’t even know if Williams will declare for the 2019 NFL Draft, and as spectacular as he’s been this season, he does have only one year of serious production. Still, going in the top 15 would be quite an accomplishment for someone who was a limited role player in 2017. The Panthers grab him to groom alongside Kawann Short.”
- No. 16 — Greg Little, OL, Ole Miss — Philadelphia Eagles
“Little doesn’t come without some technical flaws, like a subtle tendency to stop moving his feet or bend at the waist, but he’s a long, super-athletic tackle who can be the heir apparent to Jason Peters at left tackle if Lane Johnson doesn’t move over to that spot in 2019.”
- No. 19 — Jawaan Taylor, OL, Florida — Minnesota Vikings
“Currently cruising under the radar, Taylor is a 6-5, 328-pound power tackle who glides on the edge thanks to awesomely light feet. He’d be the perfect bulldozer on the right side in Minnesota.”
- No. 20 — Jachai Polite, DE/LB, Florida — Tennessee Titans
“With Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan set to hit free agency in March, the Titans need to fortify the edge-rusher position. If they pick Polite, they’d have two young, bendy, speed-rushers on the outside with him and 2018 second-rounder Harold Landry.”
- No. 21 — Deionte Thompson, DB, Alabama — Denver Broncos
“The Broncos still have one of the best defences in the NFL, but it’s a group that could use some youth in the secondary. Thompson is a versatile safety prospect with the length and speed to range all over the field.”
- No. 23 — D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss — Baltimore Ravens
“A bit of a fall for Metcalf, precipitated by his neck injury and his relative inexperience. With him on the roster, Lamar Jackson gets a huge, downfield threat out wide.”
- No. 24 — Devin White, LB, LSU — Oakland Raiders
“White can play out of control at times, but his reckless abandon also leads to him making a variety of splash plays. The Raiders need more speed at linebacker, and they’d certainly get that with the LSU standout.”
- No. 26 — Damien Harris, RB, Alabama — Oakland Raiders
“We should get some type of curveball from Jon Gruden in the draft right? How about a running back in Round 1? Harris is a boulder of a back with fluid hips and the ability to cut efficiently to find creases through the second level.”
- No. 28 — Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State — Los Angeles Chargers
“With Simmons in the middle, the Chargers would have a frightening pass-rushing trio on their defensive line.”
- No. 30 — Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama — Green Bay Packers
“Jake Ryan is set to hit free agency, and Wilson has experience manning the middle of a defence with a 3-4 philosophy. He’s not simply a downhill thumper either.”
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