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NFL Draft 2025: 3 best fits for SEC players picked in Round 1
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The 2025 NFL Draft kicked off with a bang in Green Bay on Thursday night, as 32 players heard their names called and found out where they’d begin their NFL careers.
A whopping 15 SEC football players were chosen in the first round, tying the conference’s own record. Texas and Georgia each had 3 players picked to lead the way for the league.
Obviously, not every situation these Round 1 picks are walking into is the same. Some guys will find themselves with dysfunctional franchises. Others will find themselves in situations where they’re able to contribute to a playoff-caliber team right away.
This article will focus on the latter group. Here are the 3 SEC first-round picks who are in the best situations to succeed right away this fall:
1. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas — No. 20 to the Denver Broncos
The Broncos already have all-world CB Patrick Surtain II. Now they add a guy who many consider to be potentially the best non-Travis Hunter cornerback in the class.
This is an absolutely perfect landing spot for Barron. He won’t need to shadow the opposing team’s best receiver as a rookie. Surtain has proven time and time again that he has that covered. Barron can line up in the nickel at times While Surtain and Riley Moss cover the outside guys.
Barron can come up and stop the run, and he has shown flashes of being an elite ballhawk. He recorded 5 interceptions last year, which tied him for the most in the SEC. This was a great value pick for the Broncos at No. 20 overall.
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2. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas — No. 23 to the Green Bay Packers
On the surface, it seems like the Packers already have a loaded receiver room. But Christian Watson is on the final year of his rookie deal and will be a free agent after the season. He’s also returning from an ACL tear and will likely miss more than half of the 2025 regular season.
Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are the primary options left at receiver for QB Jordan Love. Adding Golden to that mix makes a lot of sense. Doubs can be the possession receiver, Reed can work the slot and Wicks can split time with Golden outside. Add in TEs Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft and the Green Bay offense is absolutely loaded.
The Packers need to address offensive line and pass rush issues moving forward in the draft, but the skill positions are strong. Golden can slot right in alongside the other guys and make an immediate impact.
3. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia — No. 27 to the Baltimore Ravens
It should come as no surprise that all 3 of my “best fits” are players drafted in the 20s. This is where the good (but not great) teams reside in the draft order, normally. Thus, these guys have a chance to contribute right away, but won’t be floundering away for terrible squads.
Starks is an absolute steal for the Ravens at No. 27 overall. The former Georgia star can do everything you could possibly want from a safety on the field. Baltimore already has one of the best safeties in the league in Kyle Hamilton, but Starks will be a perfect complement to him.
When they play Cover 2 schemes, Starks and Hamilton are both capable of taking away half the field. At other times, Hamilton can play the deep safety role that he shines in, while Starks can step up and make all the plays in front of him. Starks made some incredibly athletic interceptions during his college career. The Ravens will hope that continues in 2025 and beyond.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
