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We’ve talked to a few NFL scouts throughout the season to get their take on SEC players who are helping or hurting their prospects at the next level. I’ll pass along some of the post-bowl thoughts from an NFL scout’s perspective here.
- Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State: McKinney has the size and ability to be a big-time NFL linebacker. He was very productive for Mississippi State. Expect him to be an early-round draft pick.
- Landon Collins, S, Alabama: He’s foregoing his senior year and by all accounts he’s expected to be a first-round draft pick. He is very physical, but isn’t a great coverage guy. He’s very dynamic and he was a stud for Alabama on special teams.
- Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: An early first-round draft pick, without question. There’s nothing else to say.
- Shane Ray, DE, Missouri: Undersized as a defensive end, Ray has a high motor and he’s very quick. There are mixed feelings on Ray. Some scouts love him and some not so much.
- Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: His knee injury hurt his stock, but from all accounts the rehab is going well. Depending on his pro day and combine, he could still be a first-round pick and the first running back taken.
There were several other players I discussed with the scout, pretty much all on defense: Florida’s Dante Fowler Jr., Missouri’s Markus Golden, Kentucky’s Alvin Dupree, LSU’s Jalen Collins and Danielle Hunter, to name a few.
Offensive linemen dominate this crop of draft-eligible SEC players on that side of the ball: LSU’s La’el Collins, South Carolina’s A.J. Cann and Alabama’s Arie Kouandjio were the main guys that received high grades.
There seems to be a trend here with the SEC. We produce a few skill positions, mainly running backs. However, when it comes to defensive line and defense in general, the SEC produces tons of NFL talent.
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