NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Mel Kiper Jr. lists 11 SEC players in latest projection

Mel Kiper Jr. came out with his latest mock draft this week, and the ESPN analyst showed a lot of love for SEC talent.

Kiper lists 11 SEC players in his latest mock draft, as Evan Neal of Alabama was the top SEC player. Kiper lists the first 4 players as Aidan Hutchinson, a Michigan pass rusher at No. 1 overall, followed by Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton, N.C. State OT Ikem Ekwonu and Southern Cal WR Drake London.

Kiper explained some of the changes in this latest projection:

Let’s get into a new post-free-agency first-round mock draft. I did my previous mock right before the combine earlier this month, so this one has some notable changes, with the Seahawks (No. 9) entering the first round and the Texans (No. 13) and Packers (No. 22) adding a second Round 1 selection. Where will the first quarterback go? Could the Lions shake things up at No. 2? And what’s the Falcons’ plan now?

As a reminder, I’m going to project the top 32 picks based on a combination of my rankings, team needs and what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. Round 1 begins April 28, which means there’s plenty of time for more changes to come.

Here are the SEC players:

5. Evan Neal, Alabama OT, New York Giants
6. Travon Walker, Georgia EDGE, Carolina Panthers
9. Charles Cross, Mississippi State OT, Seattle Seahawks
11. Derek Stingley Jr., LSU CB, Washington Commanders
13. Jordan Davis, Georgia DT, Houston Texans
21. Jameson Williams, Alabama WR, New England Patriots
22. Kenyon Green, Texas A&M OG, Green Bay Packers
23. DeVonte Wyatt, Georgia DT, Arizona Cardinals
28. Treylon Burks, Arkansas WR, Green Bay Packers
29. Nakobe Dean, Georgia ILB, Miami Dolphins
32. Matt Corral, Ole Miss QB, Detroit Lions

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.