Potential Day 1 Prospects
Montez Sweat, Edge, Sr.
Last season’s SEC sack (10.5) and TFL (15.5) leader is back to wreak havoc one more time before finding his new destination in the 1st round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Sweat has the height to play defensive end in a 4-3 and he will also be coveted by teams in need of a 3-4 rush linebacker. I expect another 1st Team ALL-SEC selection in 2018.
Potential Day 2 Prospects
Jeffery Simmons, DL, Jr.
Simmons is also a 1st round prospect. Unfortunately, he has very little chance of hearing his name called until the 2nd round because of a video that showed him in a domestic abuse altercation with a woman laying on the ground. He has the potential to be a very good starter at 3-4 DE or 4-3 3-tech (DT) and Joe Mixon’s situation gave us precedent to believe he should still come off the board on Day 2.
Mark McLaurin, S, Sr.
McLaurin led his team in tackles and the entire SEC in interceptions during the 2017 season. He is a big guy at over 6’1 and somewhere around 210 lbs so he will have to prove that he can move at the combine in March. Right now, I would label him as a solid 3rd round safety capable of playing in the box and also able to match up with tight ends in coverage.
Stewart Reese, OG, So.
Reese redshirted so he is eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft although it may be unlikely he declares. Reese has a future at both guard positions as well as right tackle (where he is projected to play in 2018). Eventually, he will land in the top 100 of whichever class he decides to join as long as he can manage his weight.
Potential Day 3 Prospects
Aeris Williams, RB, Sr.
Williams has workhorse bulk at 6’1 220 lbs and has consistently been right around 5 YPC in the SEC. However, he isn’t much of a receiver and he doesn’t really have any special traits. That’s going to limit his draft stock until the later rounds at best.
Stephen Guidry, WR, Jr.
Guidry is a highly regarded JUCO transfer and he should step into the starting lineup right away. I need to see more of him and he has impressive height at 6’4. Overall, I don’t see him as being anything more than a possible Day 3 choice at this time.
Elgton Jenkins, C-OG, Sr.
Jenkins could interest a team late because he has the versatility to play any of the 3 interior positions as well as being able to get you out of the game in an emergency at tackle. While he played both tackle positions at times at Mississippi State, he is too short to stay there for any meaningful amount of time in the pros.
Nick Fitzgerald, QB-TE, Sr.
Fitzgerald is an outstanding collegiate quarterback, but I don’t think the dual threat has a future in the NFL. I wonder if someone takes a shot on his athleticism late on Day. Could he potentially develop into a backup tight end? I personally would only take a look after the conclusion of the draft.
Future Prospects
Greg Eiland, RT, So.
Eiland is a big guy with some places listing him at 6’8 and 330 lbs! He is going to take over as the full-time starter at left tackle now that Martinas Rankin has been drafted. Eiland has talent, but I think his size is going to push him to right tackle in the NFL. The book still needs to be written on the true sophomore. However, he is going to have to avoid that dreaded ‘right tackle-only’ label in order to get drafted higher than the 3rd round in 2020 or 2021.