National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: 10 Best Prospects in SEC Championship Game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:41 p.m. ET

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Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) and A’Shawn Robinson (86) tackle Florida Gators quarterback Treon Harris (3) during the second quarter in the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Who are the top ten 2017 NFL Draft prospects in the upcoming SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Florida?

The SEC is loaded with elite-level prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft. This is obviously not a surprise to anybody, but if you want to see future NFL stars on a college football field, look no further than the upcoming SEC Championship Game.

For the second consecutive year, the Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Florida Gators in a battle for the SEC Championship. Alabama dominated this matchup last season, defeating the Gators 29-15 en route to a National Championship season.

The No. 1 ranked and undefeated Crimson Tide are obvious favorites in this game, but Florida is undoubtedly a talented team who could make this a close one. This game will certainly be interesting to watch for college football purposes, but NFL Draft addicts will be looking at it from another angle.

Both of these teams are absolutely loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. There are many 2017 NFL Draft prospects in this SEC Championship Game who have first round potential, and even more hidden gems who may be found in the middle rounds.

Make no mistake about it, the SEC is loaded with talent throughout the conference and this game will showcase the best that they have to offer.

Counting down from No. 10 to 1, let’s take a look at the best 2017 NFL Draft prospects in the 2016 SEC Championship Game. These are sure to be names that we are going to get familiar with on Sundays for many years.

Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Brantley (57) celebrates after a stop during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

10. Caleb Brantley, DT — Florida

Height: 6-2
Weight: 297 pounds
Class: R-Junior
2016 Statistics: 28 total tackles (8.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble
Projected Round (per NFL Draft Scout): 2nd-3rd

Honestly, with how many incredible 2017 NFL Draft prospects are in this game, it was difficult to even cut this down to 10. That being said, the line had to be drawn somewhere, and Florida defensive tackle Caleb Brantley just made the cut.

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Brantley is a big and powerful interior defensive lineman who is particularly disruptive against the run. He shows fantastic snap recognition and a strong first step off of the snap. These skills allow Brantley to consistently make plays in the backfield, especially against the run. The big man’s impressive overall skill set was particularly on display against LSU a couple of weeks ago. Florida is a strong team, but they were underdogs in this matchup against LSU.

That being said, backed by a dominant defensive performance, the Gators were able to take care of business against the Tigers, coming away with an impressive 16-10 win on the road. Brantley in particular was a huge key for Florida in this game. He was a disruptive force all afternoon, consistently making plays in the backfield. His forced fumble early in the game was huge for Florida to keep the game close, and Brantley also came up huge on a late goal line stand.

This all came against a talented LSU offensive line and star running back Leonard Fournette. Brantley undoubtedly raised his draft stock in this game.

There is not much pass rush upside in Brantley’s game, but he is an extremely quick and active defender for a man of his size. He could come in and be a key interior run defender right away in the NFL. Also, Brantley does have some nice position and scheme versatility. Brantley is undoubtedly a player to watch on Saturday and throughout the entire 2017 NFL Draft process.

Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) pulls in a pass against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

9. O.J. Howard, TE — Alabama

Height: 6-6
Weight: 251 pounds
Class: Senior
2016 Statistics: 35 receptions for 404 yards and two touchdowns
Projected Round: 1st

Alabama tight end O.J. Howard is a complete matchup nightmare on the field. He is too big and physical to be defended by a defensive back and is far too fast to be checked by a linebacker. Howard is an incredible athlete at the tight end position who undoubtedly has massive upside at the next level. We saw that upside on full display last year in the National Championship game.

In that game against Clemson, Howard racked up 208 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. In that game on the biggest stage, Howard showed that he is a true force to be reckoned with at the tight end position.

Howard received a ton of draft buzz after that performance, but he decided to return to Alabama to capitalize on his late season success. However, as you can tell above, his season statistics have been under-whelming.

I get why some scouts are projecting Howard as a first-round selection. The guy has all of the physical tools to be an absolute stud at the next level. Not only is he a potential matchup nightmare both inline and on the outside, he is a strong run blocker as well.

He is certainly a dangerous weapon worth watching against Florida. Howard is far too talented of a prospect to leave off of this list, but I imagine most in the draft community would have him higher. That being said, there is far too much unknown here for my liking. His lack of college production is concerning to me, but his talent certainly makes him an enticing prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) is tackled by Florida Gators linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during the third quarter of the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

8. Jarrad Davis, LB — Florida

Height: 6-2
Weight: 238 pounds
Class: Senior
2016 Statistics: 56 total tackles (six for loss) and two sacks
Projected Round: 1st-2nd

Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis has missed their last three games with injuries to both of his ankles. According to head coach Jim McElwain, Davis is unlikely to suit up in the SEC Championship Game. While we probably will not be able to see Davis in action on Saturday, he is certainly a linebacker prospect who is squarely on NFL radars. Davis is a quick and athletic linebacker whose game figures to play well in today’s fast-paced NFL.

He shows great range for the linebacker position, consistently making plays all over the field both against the run and the pass. His instincts in coverage are top-notch and he shows the natural ability to defend the run from sideline-to-sideline. On top of that, Davis shows an incredible knack for rushing the passer. He has not been asked to blitz much by Florida, but when he is unleashed, Davis can typically create pressure on the quarterback.

Make no mistake about it, Davis is an extremely talented player who has a bright future at the next level. The linebacker position has been de-valued in recent years, but Davis’ well-rounded skill set makes him a great fit for new age football.

He has the size, strength, speed and athleticism combination to defend the physical freaks at the tight end and running back positions in the NFL. Whether it is on day one or not, whoever ends up landing Davis in the 2017 NFL Draft will be extremely happy.

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) in action during the game against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Alabama defeats USC 52-6. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

7. Cam Robinson, OT — Alabama

Height: 6-6
Weight: 310 pounds
Class: Junior
Projected Round: 1st

The 2017 NFL Draft is not exactly loaded with offensive line talent. There are a few interior guys who stand out as nice prospects and a couple of offensive tackles with good upside, but it is not a great year to find a sure-fire stud up front.

That being said, Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson is likely the best of the bunch. Robinson is a big and powerful tackle prospect who can absolutely dominate in the run game. He does a fantastic job of physically man-handling opposing defenders and even has the foot speed to reach the second level.

As a pass protector, Robinson typically does extremely well against powerful rushers. However, he does struggle against elite-level speed and athleticism. Robinson is a great athlete for being such a big man, but his footwork in pass protection is extremely sloppy. He is easily fooled on the outside, consistently being put off-balance by speed.

He has the raw ability to be a dominant left tackle in the NFL for many years. That being said, he will certainly have to clean up his pass protection game in order for that to happen.

Robinson’s ability to maul in the running game gives him a relatively safe floor. He could come in right away and be a solid starter at right tackle. However, if he is ever going to reach his upside on the left side, improvement is certainly needed.

There are also off-field issues that could hurt Robinson on draft day. He has kept his nose clean for a while now, so teams could certainly look past that, but the interview process at the combine will be extremely important for him.

Robinson is far from a perfect prospect, but he is undoubtedly extremely talented and this is a weak offensive line class. He is a potential top 10 selection in the 2017 NFL Draft based on his upside alone.

Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) is blocked by Kentucky Wildcats running back Jojo Kemp (3) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

6. Reuben Foster, LB — Alabama

Height: 6-1
Weight: 228 pounds
Class: Senior
2016 Statistics: 83 total tackles (9.5 for loss) and two sacks
Projected Round: 1st

Florida’s Davis and Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham will certainly give him a run for his money, but Alabama’s Reuben Foster is likely the best pure linebacker in the 2017 NFL draft class. Foster is the mental and emotional leader of an absolutely loaded Alabama defense and has an incredible natural skill set as well.

Similar to Davis, Foster is an incredibly quick and athletic linebacker who is built to play in the modern era of football. His ability to range and defend from sideline-to-sideline is incredible. He is fantastic against the run, consistently making plays from everywhere on the field.

Foster is great against the run, but he is even better against the aerial attack. He is a fantastic natural coverage linebacker who rarely finds himself out of position. Foster not only has the speed and skills to keep up with opposing receivers, he has great natural instincts in coverage. He also shows an ability to make an impact as a blitzer on the inside. Foster is not a great pass rusher, but he can certainly step up and make plays when it is needed.

Foster being No. 6 on this list is simply because of all of the incredible talent in this game. He is a fantastic linebacker who undoubtedly has a bright NFL future ahead of him. Even in an incredible Alabama defense, Foster always finds a way to stand out.

Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Quincy Wilson (6) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Missouri Tigers 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Quincy Wilson, CB — Florida

Height: 6-1
Weight: 213 pounds
Class: Junior
2016 Statistics: 28 total tackles (3.5 for loss), one sack, three interceptions, six passes defended and one touchdown

Florida had one of the best cornerback prospects in the draft last year as Vernon Hargreaves went 11th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jalen “Teez” Tabor was expected to come in and take over for Hargreaves as the number one corner for the Gators. Tabor has been great, but one could certainly argue that his counter-part, Quincy Wilson, has been better.

Wilson has not received as many headlines as Tabor, but he is arguably just as good of a prospect. In fact, there is at least one NFL executive who thinks that Wilson is not only the best cornerback on his team, but in the entire nation.

“Tabor gets all of the hype,” this unnamed exec told Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com. “But Wilson is better in every area.”

While I am not quite ready to go that far, it is easy to see why Wilson will be a favorite in NFL circles. First, he not only has ideal size for the cornerback position, Wilson has incredibly long arms that he uses well to break up passes. NFL teams love bigger cornerbacks and Wilson certainly fits the bill. His size is great, but Wilson also shows great speed and athletic traits on the field. He never gets beats deep and uses his athleticism and length extremely well in jump ball situations.

Currently, it seems that Wilson is best served as a press corner. He does a great job of stuffing opposing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, making their life miserable as soon as the ball is snapped. Wilson does show flashes of brilliance in off coverage, but if there is a weak spot in his game, that’s it. Also, his ball skills are solid, but not at an elite level.

All in all, Wilson is an incredibly active, aggressive and talented cornerback who shows fantastic natural instincts in coverage. He undoubtedly has a bright NFL future ahead of him.

As a underclassman who has flown under-the-radar, Wilson does not have a projected round from NFL Draft Scout. That being said, he is being projected throughout the first round in many mock drafts. If he declares, Wilson is a sure-fire first round pick.

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) reacts after sacking the Texas A&M Aggies quarterback at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

4. Tim Williams, EDGE — Alabama

Height: 6-4
Weight: 252 pounds
Class: Senior
2016 Statistics: 25 total tackles (15 for loss), eight sacks and two forced fumbles
Projected Round: 1st

In today’s NFL where the passing game is king, certain positions are valued over others. Quarterback and wide receiver obviously stand out, as do offensive tackle and cornerback. That being said, it has never been more important to be able to put pressure on the passer.

Tim Williams is a physical freak on the outside for Alabama and he has a chance to make a significant difference as a pass rusher at the next level. Williams uses an explosive first step to grab an immediate edge and then lets his incredible combination of athleticism and power to take over.

Williams has it all from a skill perspective. His speed and quickness off the edge is top-notch and he is much stronger than you would ever anticipate. He does need to improve his pass rush repertoire for the next level, but his raw skill set gives him legitimate All-Pro upside at one of the most important positions on the field. That being said, his ability against the run leaves plenty to be desired. Williams has all of the tools to succeed against the run, but he always seems more interested in attacking the quarterback.

Perhaps Alabama’s loaded defense schemes for this, but if Williams is going to be a three-down player in the NFL, he must improve against the run. Williams is an impact player who will undoubtedly stand out on the field on Saturday. He is not a perfect NFL prospect, but there will undoubtedly be a team who will take a chance on the huge upside. Will could certainly land in the top ten.

Oct 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Teez Tabor (31) against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at EverBank Field. Florida Gators defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jalen ‘Teez’ Tabor, CB — Florida

Height: 6-0
Weight: 201 pounds
Class: Junior
2016 Statistics: 28 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions, five passes defended and one touchdown
Projected Round: 1st

As we mentioned before, some in the NFL see Quincy Wilson as the best Florida cornerback. That being said, most in the scouting community still seem to lean towards Jalen “Teez” Tabor. Tabor has good size for the cornerback position and also shows incredible natural instincts. He does an extremely nice job of sticking with his receiver in any situation and is elite both in press coverage and off-man.

There is also a nice versatility to his game which is always nice to see. Usually, first-round cornerback prospect simply play on the outside, but Tabor has shown the ability to play both outside and in the slot at an extremely high level. He even defends tough matchups at the tight end position at times.

More impressive than anything are Tabor’s ball skills. He shows an innate ability to make a play on the ball in the air. His timing is impeccable and has all of the athletic traits that you like to see in the position. Tabor is not much of a threat against the run, but teams are not drafting him for that reason. Being able to stop the run is a nice plus for a cornerback, not a necessity.

Everybody in the NFL is looking for a shut down cornerback. Tabor undoubtedly has that upside and he can do it from many positions on the field. He is a potential top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Artavis Scott (3) in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Marlon Humphrey, CB — Alabama

Height: 6-1
Weight: 196 pounds
Class: R-Sophomore
2016 Statistics: 33 total tackles (three for loss), two interceptions, four passes defended and one touchdown
Projected Round: 1st

What do you know, another star Alabama defensive prospect and another potential shut down corner. I had a heck of a time deciding how to rank Wilson, Tabor and Marlon Humphrey, but I decided to give the slight edge to the Alabama product.

There may not be a single prospect in the entire 2017 NFL Draft class who has as much upside as Humphrey. He is a former track star whose raw speed and athleticism clearly shows up on the field. Humphrey is not just a track guy who happens to play football, he has a natural gift at the cornerback position.

Humphrey shows incredible natural instincts in coverage. He is an extremely smart football player who always puts himself in a great position to make a play. His ability to make plays on the ball is also incredibly impressive. Natural skills for days, great instincts and incredible ball skills are obviously great, but that is not all that Humphrey brings to the table. He is also great in run support, showing a complete willingness to come up and make the tough plays.

Also, Humphrey shines in all of the coverages that are asked of him. Press, off-man, zone, it does not matter, this guy can do it all. A young player who plays a premium position and has tremendous ability at the next level, Humphrey is a potential top five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft if he comes out.

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) hits Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jonathan Allen, DL — Alabama

Height: 6-3
Weight: 291 pounds
Class: Senior
2016 Statistics: 52 total tackles (11.5 for loss), seven sacks, two passes defended, two fumbles recovered and one touchdown
Projected Round: 1st

There will be a ton of future NFL talent on the field in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday. Not only the guys who have been mentioned on this list, but many others who will undoubtedly make their mark on Sundays. That being said, few would argue with the top NFL prospect in this game being Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. In fact, he is considered by many to be the best overall prospect in the entire 2017 NFL Draft class.

Allen is an incredibly versatile defensive lineman who consistently makes his presence known on the field. He is a powerful defensive end who dominates against the run on early downs and an incredible interior rusher who kicks inside on passing downs. Allen shows an elite combination of power and quickness. He can physically over power opposing offensive lineman, but also has the quickness and athleticism to shoot the gaps and make plays in the backfield.

Perhaps more impressive than his physical skill set is Allen’s technique. He uses his hands extremely well up front and consistently is the low man at the point of attack. There are no wasted motions in his game.

Allen is probably best suited to play inside at the next level. He should become a dominant interior rusher in the league who also excels against the run for many years. He is a potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft who will almost certainly go in the top five. Make no mistake about it, Jonathan Allen is an absolute beast who would immediately make any defense in the NFL much better.

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