The SEC’s Top Five 2019 NFL Draft Prospects
Which NCAA football conference produces the most draft-worthy prospects? A look at each of the Power Five conferences and their 5 best NFL draft-bound prospects.
The time has come for many of College Football’s greatest talents, time to debate whether or not they will participate in their school’s bowl game or call it a college career and focus on preparing for the NFL Draft.
The Power Five Football Conferences of the NCCA (SEC, Big Ten, PAC 12, Big 12, & ACC) provide much of the talent drafted each April. Throughout the next five days, we will evaluate the top five draft prospects from each of the power five conferences. We begin our series looking at what many would argue is the most talented conference in the NCAA, the SEC.
According to CBS’s latest draft prospect list, six of the projected top ten players are from the SEC.
Here’s a list at the top five SEC draft prospects for 2019:
#5. A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver Ole Miss:
The SEC’s leading receiver by over 200 yards, the Junior Wide Receiver declared for the NFL draft a season early.
The first team All-SEC receiver racked in 1,320 yards and six touchdowns for the Rebels in 2018. His 2017 Sophomore season was almost equally as impressive as he had 1,252 yards and an incredible 11 touchdown grabs.
Brown has a great mix of size and speed at 6’1. He also has excellent hands and seems to catch every target that comes his way. There are a lot of names at wide receiver in the 2019 NFL Draft, but A.J. Brown is somewhere near the top of that list.
Brown is projected by many to be the first receiver drafted in the 2019 NFL draft since he should find a fit in a variety of offensive schemes. A.J. Brown is projected to be a first-round draft pick.
#4. Jonah Williams, Offensive Tackle Alabama
The top-rated offensive lineman by many for 2019, Jonah Williams is yet another dominant offensive tackle prospect hailing from the University of Alabama.
The 6’5 300 plus pound offensive tackle was a force for the Tide in 2018. He was named first-team All-SEC and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2018. Williams is considered the top tackle prospect in the 2019 NFL draft class and should hear his name called in the first round.
With the NFL being a passing game finding quality offensive tackles has become an urgent priority for every team. Williams should be able to slide into any offensive line and provide excellent blindside protection for the quarterback as well as strong run blocking.
#3. Greedy Williams, Cornerback LSU
LSU’s Greedy Williams is any wide receiver’s nightmare. He has incredible length at 6’3, outstanding ball skills, and speed. Williams has proven his worth by matching up with the best wideouts in the SEC in man coverage.
In his two year college, career Williams has defended 19 passes, grabbed an amazing eight interceptions, and has made 71 total tackles. Williams was named first-team All-SEC and was up for almost every major defensive player and defensive back of the year award in 2018.
Despite only being a sophomore, Williams has announced his intention to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. Greedy Williams is a rare prospect with shutdown corner potential, something that defensive coordinators covet as NFL offenses continue to explode on the field.
#2. Quinnen Williams, Defensive Tackle Alabama
When doesn’t Alabama have a top-notch defensive tackle? Quinnen Williams is among the best defensive line prospects Alabama has produced in recent years; which says a lot when you consider former Crimson Tide prospects like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne who were selected in the 1st round.
The Outland Trophy winner and First Team All-SEC defensive tackle made 18 tackles for a loss this season as he terrorized opposing backfields. He finished the season with 66 total tackles, eight sacks and a pass defended.
Though only a sophomore it seems to be a given Williams will declare as he projects to be a top 10 draft pick this spring. There is some debate on who should be considered the best defensive tackle prospect in this years draft, and the two names at the top of that list are Houston’s Ed Oliver and Alabama’s Quinnen Williams.
Quinnen Williams has shown the be a disruptive player with scheme versatility. The NFL has been looking for the next JJ Watt or Aaron Donald type disruptor in the front seven, and Williams has made as strong of a case as anyone else in the last few years to be that type of player.
#1. Josh Allen, Linebacker Kentucky
A Kentucky Wildcat rated number one on this list?
The answer is yes! Josh Allen had the opportunity to head for the NFL after his junior year. Luckily for him, he stayed in Lexington for his senior season and had one of the best individual seasons in Kentucky Football History.
He led the SEC with 14 sacks and was tied for the national lead with five forced fumbles. From his outside linebacker spot, Allen flashed savvy coverage skills when he was asked to drop back into a zone, swatting down 4 passes in 2018.
This 6’5 edge rusher is a special talent. He was named the SEC defensive player of the year, Chuck Bednarik defensive player of the year, and won the Nagurski Award. The Kentucky Wildcat heads to the NFL with an impressive stat sheet and a shelf full of hardware.
Josh Allen has shown that he can do anything asked of him, and we still may have not seen his ceiling yet. Allen plays one of the most important positions in football and if he tests well at the combine could be a top 5 selection on draft night.