The SEC: Breakdown Of The NFL Draft

Like many I watched the NFL Draft on Saturday and as much of it as I could stand on Sunday. I seem to always watch.

For one, I wanted to see where any Gators would end up in the draft. Second, I have particular interest in seeing where the players in the best college football conference in the nation end up.

This year was of particular interest as Matthew Stafford was deemed the No. 1 pick of the draft now many moons ago. And, whether I agree with it or not, I am proud that one from the SEC is chosen No. 1 again.

Admittedly, I came away from the draft thinking the Georgia Bulldogs did quite well, which they most certainly they did. LSU surprisingly did just as well, having six drafted just like Georgia.

The most surprising team of all though, as I analyze the draft this morning, was South Carolina, which took drafting honors in having seven players headed to the NFL. Quoting one of my fellow bleacher report writers, "all that individual talent and no collective success." Very well put Robert.

Below is a breakdown of players that were drafted and to what teams and some analysis by me.

South Carolina - 7

Jasper Brinkly                    Pick 14, round 5     Vikings      

Jarod Cook                        Pick 25, round 3     Titans

Kenny McKinley                  Pick  5, round 5      Broncos

Jamon Merideth                  Pick  26, round 5    Packers

Captain Munnerlyn               Pick 7, round 7      Panthers

Ryan Succop                      Pick 47, round 7     Chiefs

Stoney Woodson                 Pick 29, round 7     Giants

No surprise here in Cook and Munnerlyn. I actually thought Cook would go higher as he was a beast in the combine until he aggravated his hamstring.

I also thought Munnerlyn would come off of the board before the seventh round. Note: South Carolina has the dubious distinction of having Mr Irrelevant, the last pick of the draft in Ryan Succop

Georgia - 6

Asher Allen                      Pick 22, round 3     Vikings

Corvey Irvin                     Pick 29, round 3     Panthers

Mohammed Massquoi         Pick 18, round 2   Cleveland

Knowshon Moreno             Pick 12, round 1    Denver

Matthew Stafford              Pick 1, round 1      Detroit

Jarius Wynn                     Pick 9, round 6    Packers 

This has got to be one of the best drafts for the Bulldogs as far as position. Having the first player in Bulldog history to be drafted No 1.

I personally think that Sanchez was a better pick for No. 1 but the Bulldogs should be proud. I also think Moreno to the Broncos gives him a chance at Rookie of the Year.

They will probably run the ball a lot. Massaquoi going in the second round was a surprise. I didn't think he would be high on any ones want list. But, in his defense he had a killer Sr year.

I think the Vikings got a steal in Allen in the third round.

LSU - 6

Demetrius Byrd               Pick 15, round 7   Chargers

Tyson Jackson                Pick 3, round 1    Chiefs

Ricky Jean-Francois         Pick 35, round 7   49ers

Herman Johnson              Pick 31, round 5   Cardinals

Quin Johnson                  Pick 9, round 5     Packers

Curtis Taylor                   Pick 10, round 7   49ers

Tyson Jackson was  surprise for me as the third pick overall. The rest were just uneventful to me.

I expected more Jean-Francois but all we got was him running off at the mouth. And, good for Byrd to get drafted even though he is recovering from an car accident.

Alabama - 4

Antoine Caldwell            Pick 13, round 3    Texans

Glenn Coffee                 Pick 10, round 3   49ers

Reshad Johnson             Pick 31, round 3   Cardinals

Andre Smith                  Pick 6, round 1      Bengals

Even though the Tide didn't have quantity drafted they had high picks. No one passed the third round.

Congrats to Smith for overcoming his bad decision phase from the Sugar Bowl up til now. Please go thank Saban for the character repair.  I can't wait to see Coffee in San Fran. I think he will flourish.

Ole Miss - 4

Peria Jerry                   Pick 24, round 1     Falcons

Michael Ohr                  Pick 23, round 1     Ravens

Jamarca Sanford          Pick 22, round 7    Vikings

Mike Wallace                Pick 20, round 3    Steelers

I was surprised to see four from Ole Miss but maybe I haven't been following any of them except Michael Ohr. Again, what a powerful story he has and if you haven't heard it please go google it. 

His speech was probably one of the best too at the draft. Good job Ozzie for recognizing character and talent.

Florida - 3

Percy Harvin                Pick 22, round 1    Vikings

Cornelius Ingram           Pick 17, round 5    Eagles

Louis Murphy                Pick 24, round 4   Raiders

No surprises for the Gators from me. I expected Harvin to still be taken in the first round even after he obviously took a stupid pill or maybe that's what they call weed.  I am just happy Ingram and Murphy are getting a chance to prove themselves NFL.

Auburn - 3

Tyronne Green             Pick 33, round 4   Chargers

SenDerrick Marks          Pick 30, round 2  Titans

Jerraud Powers            Pick 28, round 3   Colts

Round 2 was their highest draftee. This can be chalked up as a bad season all around for the Tigers.

Arkansas - 1

Jonathan Luigs            Pick 6, round 4     Bengals

Kentucky - 1

Myron Pryor              Pick 34, round 6    Patriots

Tennessee - 1

Robert Ayers            Pick 18, round 1      Broncos

Vanderbilt - 1          

Reshard Langford    Pick 19, round 4     Bears

Miss State - 0

Observation worth noting is that the Minnesota Vikings took four from the SEC....a Gator, Bulldog, Gamecock, and Rebel.