When a college football conference has won every National Championship since 2006, it is assumed that NFL talent fills out each team. This would be true for the Southeastern Conference. The current SEC record for number of first-round draft picks 11 in 2007. This year, numerous mock drafts have 13 to 14 SEC players being taken in the first round. If true, it would be a record draft year for the conference where the rich just seem to get richer.
Throughout the last few weeks leading up to the draft, a number of SEC players have seen their stock rise as teams assess needs and take a deeper look at certain athletes. Former Alabama defensive tackle Jesse Williams was originally projected as a late second-round, early third-round pick. However, the Seattle Seahawks are now considering him in the first-round as a run on defensive players is expected during the top 10. This is also the case with former LSU linebacker Kevin Minter who is now considered to be the Baltimore Ravens first draft choice at No. 32 overall.
Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel has been the favorite for days to go No. 1 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. He is likely to be followed by Florida's Sharrif Floyd and Alabama's Dee Milliner. There will be a big interest in Alabama linemen as they proved to be the best unit during the 2012 season. D.J. Fluker and Chance Warmack are mocked to go No. 11 and 12 respectively. Georgia linebackers Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree will also hear their names called between picks 15 and 25. A pair of Tennessee wide receivers are also considered to go in the top 32 picks. Either Justin Hunter or Cordarrelle Patterson will be targeted by either the New England Patriots or St. Louis Rams.
For those keeping score at home, Alabama could have as many as four players pick in the first round. If true, the Crimson Tide will have had 14 first-round selections in the last four years. Both LSU and Florida will likely see two players taken in the first round, as well Georgia. The SEC has a reputation of producing NFL quality talent and 2013 will be no different.
