NFL Draft 2011: Top 20 SEC Prospects and Where They Will Go
The SEC is considered to be one of the best conferences in college football. With the national championships piling up, its really hard to argue that they are not the best.
However, when it comes down to the draft, the playing field is leveled.
This year, the NFL Draft's top five draft prospects include four SEC players, which is very impressive.
Here is a list of the top 20 draft prospects coming out of the SEC and where they might land.
1) Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Patrick Peterson is a all around gem and the top prospect not only coming out of the SEC, but out of the NCAA.
His 4.31 40 yard dash was very impressive, but Peterson felt like he could have ran it even faster.
Peterson is an all around player. He could play safety, cornerback, nickelback, and possibly even the eigth man in the box. He also returns kicks, which may not be as big of a quality after the recent rule changes.
The best attribute Peterson has is his off the field demeanor. He is not going to shake things up in a locker room or cause a lot of off the field trouble.
Peterson is the safest pick in the draft.
The Bills could go quarterback, but Peterson is the best player in the draft, and if he falls to three, the Bills should jump on him and improve their defense immediately.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Buffalo Bills - Third Overall
2. Cleveland Browns - Sixth Overall
3. Denver Broncos - Second Overall
2) Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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Marcell Dareus and Nick Fairley are about as equal as Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy were last year.
Either pick will yield a great defensive tackle for the team who picks them. However, Dareus had a much better combine than Fairley, which may make Dareus the first player drafted out of the SEC.
Dareus would be able to play in either the 3-4 or 4-3 defense, so any team could potentially draft him, but it will be a surprise if he makes it past the fourth pick.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Denver Broncos - 2nd Overall
2. Buffalo Bills - 3rd Overall
3. Carolina Panthers - 1st Overall
3) Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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After the Auburn and Oregon national championship game, Nick Fairley was the consensus number one overall draft pick. After an average combine and a slightly better pro day, Fairley has fallen down the board a little.
Though Fairley could fall out of the top 10 picks, he is still a top five talent. Unfortunately for him, many of the teams in the top 10 do not need a defensive tackle.
Fairley has a few character issues, which is why the Titans make the most sense to draft him. Auburn's former defensive line coach, Tracy Rocker, is the new Titans defensive line coach, and Fairley has already expressed that he respects Rocker.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Tennessee Titans - Eighth Overall
2. Washington Redskins - 10th Overall
3. Houston Texans - 11th Overall
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4) A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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A.J. Green is the top offensive prospect out of the SEC. He may even be the top offensive product in the NCAA.
Green is an all around receiver. He's not the fastest guy on the field, but he can go after the ball and bring it down in traffic.
While receivers being drafted in the top five is rare, Green has the talent to be worth the number four pick of the Bengals. With the T.O. and Ochocinco experiment failing last year, it may be time to find the next Ochocinco to be with the Bengals for years to come.
There is also the slight chance that Carolina decides to go offense and that Green is the best offensive player available.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Cincinnati Bengals - Fourth Overall
2. Cleveland Browns - Sixth Overall
3. Carolina Panthers - First Overall
5) Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Julio Jones had some issues at Alabama. He was obviously the most athletic player on the field and would make some of the most amazing catches. However, there were games where I would see him drop the easiest passes.
Regardless, Jones will be fine in the NFL and is a pretty safe pick. While he may not be the best receiver to ever play the game, he should be a dominating force for whoever decides to pick him up.
Both the St. Louis Rams and the Washington Redskins need a star receiver on their team. Either one could snatch up Jones in a heartbeat.
However, there is that slight chance that the Tennessee Titans take a chance on drafting a receiver to be opposite Kenny Britt, and Jones would be the best one on the board.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Washington Redskins - 10th Overall
2. St. Louis Rams - 14th Overall
3. Tennessee Titans - Eighth Overall
6) Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Former Heisman winner Mark Ingram had a stellar career at Alabama. He averaged 158 yards per game against top 25 teams and a 5.1 ypc average over his career.
The downside to Ingram is his injury history. In 2010, he had to have arthroscopic knee surgery and missed the first two games of the year.
This could potentially leaving Ingram to fall into the second round. However, with his talent, he would fit well in any two back system in the NFL.
Ahmad Bradshaw for the Giants is a free agent and had fumble issues. Ingram lost very few fumbles at Alabama and would be a great upgrade for the Giants.
However, there is the chance that the Dolphins decide to get younger at running back and take Ingram at 15.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. New York Giants - 19th Overall
2. Miami Dolphins - 15th Overall
3. New England Patriots -17th Overall
7) Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Cam Newton is the one player in the draft that everyone knows, even non football fans. Unfortunately, people don't necessarily know him for his on the field play.
Newton has several issues like a diva attitude and a slightly inaccurate throwing arm, but makes up for it with his ability to win.
There is a chance Newton could be drafted first overall or become the next Jimmy Clausen and tumble down the draft boards.
The Panthers, Bills and Titans all need a quarterback, but will any of them take a chance on Newton?
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Carolina Panthers - First Overall
2. Buffalo Bills - Third Overall
3. Tennessee Titans - Eighth Overall
8) Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
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Mike Pouncey is one of the best offensive linemen in the draft and is the number one guard/center in the draft.
His name might sound familiar because his brother, Maurkice Pouncey, was drafted last year by the Pittsburgh Steelers and immediately improved their line.
If Mike Pouncey can be as good as his brother, he will be a great addition to any team.
Any team with offensive line questions could take Pouncey to immediately improve their interior line. The earliest Pouncey could go is the Dolphins, and I don't believe Pouncey will make it past the Eagles.
Top 3 Draft Possibilities
1. Indianapolis Colts - 22nd Overall
2. Miami Dolphins - 15th Overall
3. Philadelphia Eagles - 23rd Overall
9) Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Derek Sherrod is the best offensive tackle coming out of the SEC.
Sherrod is huge at 6'5", 321 lbs. He will instantly bulk up any offensive line, and worse case scenario, could play guard for a team until he develops the footwork needed for an offensive tackle in the NFL.
If Pouncey is already gone by the time the Colts and Eagles pick, they may just snatch up Sherrod; however, if they pass or pick someone else, he will not get past the Chicago Bears, who need a lot of help on the offensive line.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Philadelphia Eagles - 23rd Overall
2. Chicago Bears - 29th Overall
3. Indianapolis Colts - 22nd Overall
10) Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
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Randall Cobb may have been the most exciting player to watch in the entire SEC last year.
He was a one man show at Kentucky, as he was able to play quarterback and receiver. Any team who drafts Cobb will immediately open up their playbook to the idea of trick plays.
Cobb will likely be a slot receiver somewhere, but a very good slot receiver at that. The Broncos do not have many options at receiver, and adding Cobb could help Tim Tebow giving him some quick underneath routes.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Denver Broncos - 36th Overall (Second Round)
2. New England Patriots - 33rd Overall (Second Round)
3. Baltimore Ravens - 58th Overall (Second Round)
11) Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Ryan Mallett probably has the most accurate arm out of quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL draft, highlighted by his 62 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions in the past two years.
However, Mallett is a statue in the pocket and very inaccurate on the run. It will take a team with a very strong offensive line to make Mallett a top tier quarterback.
Given his throwing ability, it would be weird to see Mallett slip past the second round, but stranger things have happened.
If the Bengals, Titans and Redskins pass on a quarterback in the first round, it would not be a surprise to see them take a chance on Mallett in the second.
Top 3 Draft Possibilities
1. Cincinnati Bengals - 35th Overall (Second Round)
2. Tennessee Titans - 39th Overall (Second Round)
3. Washington Redskins - 41st Overall (Second Round)
12) Justin Houston, OLB/DE, Georgia
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Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Tampa Bay Buccanneers - 20th Overall
2. New Orleans Saints - 24th Overall
3. New York Jets - 30th Overall
13) Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
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Drake Nevis is a little undersized for a defensive tackle, but makes up for it with his strength with his 31 bench reps at the combine.
Nevis could make a great 4-3 defensive tackle or a 3-4 defensive end. He is not big enough to play the nose tackle on a 3-4 defense.
It seems most likely that the Bears, who are in need of a new defensive tackle since they let go of Tommie Harris, will be the best spot for Nevis to fall.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Chicago Bears - 62nd Overall (Second Round)
2. Tampa Bay Buccanneers - 51st Overall (Second Round)
3. New Orleans Saints - 71st Overall (Third Round)
14) Jerell Powe, DT, Ole Miss
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Jerell Powe could turn out to be one of the gems of the third round in the 2011 NFL Draft. He is huge at 324 lbs., which makes him big enough to play nosetackle in a 3-4 defense or a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense.
Powe had to work hard to get where he has gotten, and as one of the older prospects in the draft at 24 years old, he knows the opportunity the NFL presents and should not cause any off the field issues.
The New York Jets or Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round make a lot of sense, as Powe would be able to step in and play occasional snaps without being the starting guy in his rookie season.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. New York Jets - 94th Overall (Third Round)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - 95th Overall (Third Round)
3. Carolina Panthers - 97th Overall (Third Round)
15) D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
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The picture with this slide shows possibly the entire career of D.J. Williams in one snapshot.
If you saw this play in person, it was incredible. The effort of Williams to drag the Ohio State defensive player into the endzone showed the work ethic and heart of a great tight end.
Williams not only has the receiving ability, but also the blocking ability of a true tight end. It just so happens that the Bucs, Falcons and Rams all need a good traditional tight end.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 84th Overall (Third Round)
2. Atlanta Falcons - 91st Overall (Third Round)
3. St. Louis Rams - 78th Overall (Third Round)
16) James Carpenter, OT, Alabama
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James Carpenter is one of the reasons Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson had so much success running behind this offensive line.
He is big and strong and could be a later round gem for anyone willing to take a chance on him. Carpenter would probably start at right tackle or guard immediately and with some work could eventually switch over to the left side.
The Browns, Bills and Steelers would not mind upgrading their line a little bit, or at the very least adding some depth.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Cleveland Browns - 70th Overall (Third Round)
2. Buffalo Bills - 68th Overall (Third Round)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers - 95th Overall (Third Round)
17) Luke Stocker, TE, Tennessee
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Luke Stocker is the idea of a receiving tight end who was taught how to block. Stocker was the default guy for both Matt Simms and Tyler Bray at Tennessee and rarely dropped anything near him.
Stocker's average blocking ability may have him fall down the boards a little bit, but I do not see him getting past the Atlanta Falcons, who could use a compliment to Tony Gonzalez.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Atlanta Falcons - 91st Overall (Third Round)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 84th Overall (Third Round)
3. St. Louis Rams - 78th Overall (Third Round)
18) Terrence Toliver, WR, LSU
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Terrence Toliver is a very interesting prospect to me, because he played very well despite having only an average quarterback throwing to him in Jordan Jefferson.
Toliver is athletic and quick and could go late third round to early fourth round.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. St. Louis Rams - 112th Overall (Fourth Round)
2. Baltimore Ravens - 124th Overall (Fourth Round)
3. Green Bay Packers - 96th Overall (Third Round)
19) Ahmad Black, SS, Florida
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Ahmad Black is undersized and only ran a 4.83 at the combine. However, he is a solid tackler and a defensive playmaker.
Black will likely last to the fourth or fifth round, but any team that drafts him may get a huge gem. Any team with a 4-3 defense who needs a good nickelback should look no further than Black.
Top Three Draft Possibilities
1. Tennessee Titans - 109th Overall (Fourth Round)
2. New York Giants - 117th Overall (Fourth Round)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - 121st Overall (Fourth Round)
20) Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State
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McPhee's 2009 stats were very impressive, as he posted 56 tackles and five sacks.
However, in 2010, those stats dropped due to teams double teaming him. McPhee will need to be on a very good defensive line to be successful in the NFL.
Top 3 Draft Possibilities
1. Buffalo Bills - 122nd Overall (Fourth Round)
2. Green Bay Packers -131st Overall (Fourth Round)
3. Tennessee Titans - 130th Overall (Fourth Round)
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