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Ole Miss Football: Mocking Where Rebels Will Go in the NFL Draft

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 26, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Damore

Ole Miss will lose multiple stars at positions of need this year and most of them have a future in the national football league. Where will they go in the NFL Draft in May 2017?

Ole Miss football players have had a lot of success in the national football league in years past. From Eli Manning to Mike Wallace to Michael Oher, Ole Miss has put a lot of stars into the league.

This year will be no different, as Ole Miss prepares to lose stars such as Damore’ea Stringfellow, Evan Engram, and Chad Kelly.

Last year Ole Miss had 3 players drafted in the first round, with Laquon Treadwell, Laremy Tunsil, and Robert Nkemdiche going on the first day.

Fahn Cooper and Cody Core were also drafted in the following rounds of the draft.

Ole Miss will have to replace a multitude of stars this year, and most of the ones they are replacing are going to the draft.

On the defensive side of the ball, Marquis Haynes is the best NFL prospect Ole Miss has to offer.

While Tony Bridges and DJ Jones will also be leaving the defense, I do not think that either one of them have a future in the NFL. Fadol Brown could also be drafted, if he can somehow get healthy enough for it.

Tony Conner could also see his name called late in the draft, but his knee injury really set him back and could cause for him to go undrafted.

So where will the Rebels go in the 2017 draft in May? What team would be the best fit and which would the worst?

Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) and Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Damore

Damore’ea Stringfellow | Junior | Wide Reciever

Prediction: Mid-to-late 2nd round

Stringfellow has been a star for the Ole Miss offense this year as he had to step up and replace Laquon Treadwell.

He is the first Rebel to declare for the NFL draft but we still wait to hear from Marquis Haynes.

Stringfellow could see himself fall below the third round due to the amount of good receivers in this season’s draft.

Receivers like Corey Davis, Mike Williams, and Malachi Dupre will all go ahead of Stringfellow.

Ole Miss has a record of putting elite receivers into the NFL with Mike Wallace, Dexter McCluster, and Laquon Treadwell all representing the Rebels in the NFL.

My prediction of mid-to-late 2nd round is dependent on Stringfellow blowing up at the combine and showing his physical ability to the fullest.

Best Fit:

The best fit for Stringfellow is a team that will run more of a pro-style offense that allows him to use his big body and make space. This is what has hurt Treadwell in the NFL, as Minnesota has not used him correctly all year.

So a team that would do well with Stringfellow would be a team like the Seattle Seahawks or the New Orleans Saints.

With Russell Wilson or Drew Brees throwing to Stringfellow, I could see him having an elite career in the NFL.

Worst Fit:

Well, a team like Cleveland would not be a great fit for Stringfellow, but Minnesota is the worst fit for Stringfellow.

Not only do they have an array of wide receivers, they do not know how to use them correctly.

Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs the ball during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Engram | Senior | Tight End

Prediction: Late first-to-early 2nd round

Evan Engram is one of the best tight ends in the nation, but can also line up outside and play receiver if needed.

His blocking is not his best ability like most traditional tight ends, but his speed and hands make him a special tight end.

Once he hits the combine and shows his physcial ability when lined up against other tight ends, expect Engram to jump up draft boards.

I fully expect a team to fall in love with Engram and to reach for him late in the first round or early in the second.

Best Fit:

Jacksonville is a team that I could see taking Engram early in the second round. WIth a quarterback like Blake Bortles locked up, the Jaguars need a tight end to catch some of those Bortle passes.

A coaching change could be in the hand for the Jaguars over the offseason, so this prediction could change with a change of offensive philosophy.

Worst Fit:

I am not sure there is a bad team for Engram, since he can play a variety of ways. A team like Buffalo or Dallas, that do not throw the ball that much, could be a bad fit for Engram as they would rely on his blocking ability even more.

But I could see Dallas taking Engram to replace Jason Witten in the future.

Nov 5, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) drops back to pass against Georgia Southern Eagles during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Kelly | Senior | Quarterback

Prediction: Late 6th round-to-7th round

I am not sure that Kelly will be drafted this year due to his off the field questions and injuries he has sustained late in the season.

Kelly could get picked up late by a team looking to take a flyer on the QB, but I do not think he goes any higher than the 6th round.

Chad had a great junior season at Ole Miss, but did not back it up during his senior season. He overthrew a lot of passes and missed some reads that he should not have missed.

Kelly is an Ole Miss legend statistically, but I do not think he is a NFL quarterback. I would love to be proven wrong, but Chad has a lot to work on if he wants to have a future in the league.

Best Fit:

I guess Buffalo? Rex Ryan loves Clemson, where Kelly used to play at, and that could help or hurt the senior QB.

His uncle, Jim Kelly, used to play for the Bills, but does that help Chad enough to earn a spot on the team?

Worst Fit:

Teams that have a proven quarterback. Chad will not see the field if he gets drafted by a team like New England, Seattle, or Indianapolis.

So where does he go? I have no clue. Kelly will have to hope he can find the right fit and can stay healthy.

Nov 5, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Georgia Southern Eagles quarterback Kevin Ellison (4) carries the ball against Mississippi Rebels defensive end Marquis Haynes (10) during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Marquis Haynes | Junior | Defensive End

Prediction: Late 1st-to-early-2nd round.

Marquis Haynes has set records at Ole Miss as a defensive end. He was the one bright spot on the sad landshark defense this season.

I really like Haynes as a professional prospect. He reminds me a lot of Cleveland linebacker Jamie Collins.

You could line him up at the end position or as a linebacker. Haynes can also hold his own in coverage.

Haynes could be what CJ Johnson would have been if he had not sustained that leg injury.

Best Fit:

A team like New England who knows how to use the hybrid lineman/linebacker could really use a guy like Haynes on the defense. He could be the replacement for Jamie Collins the Pats are looking for.

Worst Fit:

Is there one? Maybe a team that runs more of a 3-4 that would expect him to play a lot of coverage.