TAT: SEC Players Expected to Go First in NFL Draft

This article originally appeared in the April 24, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

The NFL Draft begins with the first round Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN. The Southeastern Conference is predicted to lead the way with the most players selected, again, and will have many players taken on day one of the draft. Here’s a look at a few of these players.

Luke Joeckel – Texas A&M – OT

Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel is atop many mock draft boards. ESPN’s Mel Kiper predicts the Kansas City Chiefs to select Joeckel number one overall, as does NFL.com’s Josh Norris, SBNation.com’s Dan Kadar, CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang and BleacherReport.com’s Matt Miller.

After earning second-team All-Big XII honors in 2011, he was named a first-team All-American in his first season in the SEC. Over his three-year career, he has protected Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel and 2012 first-round pick Ryan Tannehill.

Also, Joeckel has played in three games against Arkansas, helping the Aggies average 37.7 points and 556 yards per game against the Razorbacks. In those three games, Arkansas could only manage two sacks.

Sharrif Floyd – Florida – DT

Many draft experts predict the Oakland Raiders to select Florida’s Sharrif Floyd third overall. However, Norris projects him to fall to the Tennessee Titans at No. 10 overall.

Floyd was a member of the Freshman All-SEC team in 2010 and earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2012. He was also a third-team All-American last season.

During his three years with the Gators, he collected 115 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three blocked field goals and one forced fumble.

Dee Milliner – Alabama – CB

The Crimson Tide have several players that will go in the first round, but cornerback Dee Milliner is projected to be selected the highest.

Most experts predict he will be picked sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns, but he could also fall to No. 10 to the Titans. Milliner ended his career with first-team All-American honors in 2012 and a career 133 tackles, six interceptions returned for 107 yards, 34 pass break-ups and 40 passes defended.

In three games against the Razorbacks, he had six tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup and one interception.

Chance Warmack – Alabama – OG

Chance Warmack is another highly-touted prospect from Alabama. He could go anywhere from No. 7 overall to the Arizona Cardinals (Kadar) to No. 16 overall to the St. Louis Rams (Norris and Miller).

During his four seasons at Alabama, he blocked for 2009 Heisman Trophy-winner Mark Ingram, 2012 first-round pick Trent Richardson and potential 2013 first-round pick Eddie Lacy.

He also played on an offensive line that averaged 37.3 points and 560.3 yards per game against the Razorbacks over the last four seasons.

Barkevious Mingo – LSU – OLB

The New York Jets are expected to select LSU’s Barkevious Mingo either at No. 9 or No. 13 overall.

Mingo has been named to the All-SEC second-team the last two seasons and has a career 119 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 27 quarterback hurries and 11 passes defended.

In three games against Arkansas, he had nine tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and three quarterback hurries.

Sheldon Richardson – Missouri – DT

Another SEC player expected to be picked in the first round is Missouri’s Sheldon Richardson. Coming off honorable mention All-Big XII honors in 2011, he earned second-team All-SEC honors last season.

During his career, he collected 112 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, nine quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles. He could go anywhere from No. 14 overall to the Carolina Panthers (Kadar and Miller) to No. 19 overall to the New York Giants (Rang).

Jarvis Jones – Georgia – OLB

Following back-to-back first-team All-American seasons, Georgia’s Jarvis Jones seems to be a perfect fit for the New Orleans Saints’ new 3-4 defense.

The Saints have the 15th overall selection. Last season, Jones led the NCAA with 14.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss and led the SEC with seven forced fumbles. During one season at USC and two at Georgia, he had 168 tackles, 45.5 tackles for loss, 28 sacks and nine forced fumbles.