The Southeastern Conference placed 49 players in the 2014 NFL Draft. Despite losing talent, the conference returns a lot of play makers on both sides of the ball next season.
While this class may not be as deep as last year's crop, the 2015 group is still very solid, especially at the running back position. Here is a list of the top 10 players from the SEC that will be potential NFL Draft pick in 2015: Top 10 NFL Draft Picks 10. Nick Marshall (Auburn) · Position: Quarterback/Safety · Size: 6’1” 210 pounds · Classification: Senior Summary: Marshall became the second junior college quarterback to lead Auburn to a national title game. He is a dual-threat quarterback that accounted for 234.2 yards of total offense per game in 2013. Marshall passed for 1,976 yards and rushed for 1,068 yards last season. He recorded 26 total touchdowns for the Tigers. Marshall was the fourth quarterback in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards. Auburn’s offense was based on running the ball last season. With Tre Mason in the NFL, Marshall has to step in a leadership role. He has to pass the ball effectively and break down coverage schemes. Marshall can be successful in the NFL, but it’s going to start with how well he can process Auburn’s offense in 2014. Also, Marshall is an elite athlete who may have a future at a different position if he cannot prove he has the passing capabilities necessary at the next level. 9. Landon Collins (Alabama) · Position: Safety · Size: 6’0” 215 pounds · Classification: Junior Summary: Under the leadership of Nick Saban, Collins has become a leader in Alabama’s secondary. Collins finished second on the team in tackles with 70 in 2013. He recorded two interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Collins has speed and great on ball instincts. He excels at reading the quarterback’s eyes and getting to the football. Collins is a hard hitting safety. He is projected as a first round pick by most college football analysts. 8. Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M) · Position: Offensive Tackle · Size: 6’5” 300 pounds · Classification: Senior Summary: Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews set the bar high, but Ogbuehi will keep the trend going. Despite his size, Ogbuehi is light on his feet and is a great pass blocker. He can set the edge and open up holes in the running game. Ogbuehi was one of the reasons why Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman in 2012. Let's see how he does without the aid of Joeckel, Matthews, or Manziel. 7. Corey Robinson (South Carolina)
· Position: Offensive Tackle · Size: 6’8” 348 pounds · Classification: Senior (RS) Summary: Though he started his career on defense, Robinson has turned into a good offensive lineman. He does a great job of using his leverage to shield defensive lineman away from the quarterback. Connor Shaw had a record-breaking season in 2013. He passed for 2,447 yards and 24 touchdowns. Robinson made sure that Shaw wasn’t on the ground a lot last season. Aside from pass blocking, Robinson can also open up lanes and set the edge for running backs. He helped Mike Davis notch 1,183 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns last season. 6. Dante Fowler, Jr. (Florida) · Position: Defensive Line · Size: 6’3” 277 pounds · Classification: Junior Summary: With Jadeveon Clowney in the NFL, Fowler will emerge as the SEC’s premiere pass rusher in 2014. Fowler is disruptive and creates havoc in the backfield for opposing offensive. He has exceptional pass rush moves and is good against the run. Fowler was a pivotal part of Florida’s dominant defense in 2012. He recorded 30 tackles (8.0 tackles for loss) and 2.5 sacks. Fowler has 80 tackles (18.5 tackles for loss), 6.0 sacks, one forced recovery and three forced fumbles in his career. 5. Benardrick McKinney (Mississippi State) · Position: Linebacker · Size: 6’5” 245 pounds · Classification: Junior Summary: McKinney has the tools be a potent linebacker at the next level. He reads plays well and can make tackles in space. McKinney is a good pass rusher, but his strong suit is stopping the run. In 2013, he collected 55 tackles and 3.5 sacks for Mississippi State. 4. Mike Davis (South Carolina) · Position: Running Back · Size: 5’9” 216 pounds · Classification: Junior Summary: Davis has been remarkable replacing Marcus Lattimore. He has the combination of power and speed along with excellent vision. Davis sets up his blocks and cutback lanes well and displays a second gear in the open field. He rushed for 98.6 yards per game (fifth in the SEC) in 2013. Davis’s 1,183 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns logged him fourth-most in school history last season. He has the opportunity to be even better in 2014. 3. Amari Cooper (Alabama) · Position: Wide Receiver · Size: 6’1” 202 pounds · Classification: Junior Summary: Cooper burst onto the scene for Alabama in 2012 as a freshman. He broke Julio Jones’s record (58 receptions, 926 yards) with 59 receptions for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite early struggles in 2013, Cooper finished his sophomore campaign strong. He had 45 receptions for 736 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper has top-tier speed along with great hands. He is a savvy route runner with exceptional leaping abilities. In Alabama’s Pro Day, Cooper ran a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash. If he has a bounce back year in 2014, Cooper may forgo his senior season and pursue an NFL career. 2. T.J. Yeldon (Alabama) · Position: Running Back · Size: 6’2” 218 pounds · Classification: Junior Summary: Like Cooper, Yeldon had a huge freshman season for the Crimson Tide in 2012. He tied Mark Ingram’s freshman record with 12 touchdowns. Yeldon totaled 1,108 yards rushing and averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2012. Yeldon recorded 1,235 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns in 2013; however, he struggled with ball security. Yeldon had five lost fumbles last season. Most of them came at critical moments in games. He has the size, speed, power and vision to be a force in the NFL. With Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake on his heels, Yeldon can’t afford to fumble away opportunities for Alabama in 2014. However, he has elite lateral movement and catching ability for a tall back, making him a potential first-round pick. 1. Todd Gurley (Georgia) · Position: Running Back · Size: 6’1” 232 pounds · Classification: Junior Summary: To Georgia fans, Gurley is the best thing at running back since Herschel Walker. He possesses a lot of power and leg drive. Gurley excels at getting yards after contact. He displays tremendous vision in hole and change speeds on a dime. Gurley amassed 1,385 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns as a freshman in 2012. He sustained an ankle injury last season, but finished strong with 989 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Hutson Mason will be Georgia’s quarterback in 2014, but it will be up to Gurley to have a productive season and take pressure off Mason. Gurley has the chance to become a rare first-round pick at running back.
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