Which SEC players will be drafted and why? Part one: Offense

Every few years lines are drawn that determine which football players will get the opportunity to continue playing the game and which ones will find themselves watching from the stands. The first major leap comes during the transition from junior high school to senior high. The first major elimination of talent occurs when national letters of intent to play college ball are signed by about one of every seventeen high school players. For this small group the next round of cuts is even more significant. To be one of the names chosen by an NFL team to play not for Old State any longer, but major greenbacks. Only one in fifty college players will have this honor, and draft day will hold significantly more anxiety than national signing day. Why? This time the teams choose the players.

Which SEC players should have the excitement of hearing their name called when the NFL draft is held April 25-26? Below are some of the offensive players from the nation’s best conference who have their hopes up for the big day, when a phone call means the dream gets to move to the next level.

First Round

Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Georgia Bulldogs
Stafford has wowed the scouts with his strong arm and poise through the screening process. It will be a real surprise if the longsuffering Detroit Lions take anyone other than him with the first overall pick.
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Percy Harvin, Wide Receiver, Florida Gators
Speed, ability to take the ball to the house and great hands make Harvin a sure first rounder. Questions are now arising about potential drug use but this should only cause him to slide further into the first round than original forecasts.

Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle, Alabama Crimson Tide
It was just a few months ago that Smith was thought to be a potential top three overall pick. That won’t happen after the last few months. In the end his athleticism and college success will cause some team to call his name in the first round.

Michael Oher, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss Rebels
Oher has been the subject of a bestselling book and seen his life turn from a very different outcome that was awaiting him before football. NFL teams are concerned about his strength and intelligence to grasp the game. Like Smith, someone will watch the tape and realize he can play.

Second Round

Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs
A great player, playing a position that has a short NFL shelf life. It is also easy to find talent in later rounds.

Cornelius Ingram, Tight End, Florida Gators
Ingram runs good routes and has reliable hands, but needs to become a better blocker.

Jason Watkins, Offensive Tackle, Florida Gators
Gets off the ball quickly and is physical when playing with passion.

Third Round

Mohamed Massaquoi, Wide Receiver, Georgia Bulldogs
Will go into traffic for the ball and is explosive.

Brannan Southerland, Fullback, Georgia Bulldogs
His ability to catch the ball and the success of Peyton Hillis in Denver last year moves Southerland into day one.

Jared Cook, Tight End, South Carolina Gamecocks
Has the speed to run away from defensive players after catching the ball in a crowd.

Antoine Caldwell, Center, Alabama Crimson Tide
Versatile, strong and the among the best run blockers in the draft.

Jonathan Luigs, Center, Arkansas
Has been the best blocker, for one of the best running teams in college football over the last for years.

Here is a quick look at the offensive players who will hear their name on the second day of the draft barring something unforeseen.

Running Back
Arian Foster-Tennessee Volunteers
Glen Coffee-Alabama Crimson Tide

Wide Receiver
Louis Murphy-Florida Gators
Kenny McKinley-South Carolina Gamecocks
Demetrius Byrd-Mississippi State Bulldogs

Offensive Lineman
Ramon Foster-Tennessee Volunteers
Maurice Miller-LSU Tigers
Marlon Davis-Alabama Crimson Tide
Tyronne Green-Auburn Tigers
Tomorrow we will take a look at the players on the other side of the ball who are anxiously waiting for draft day. For each of these young men, the dream lives on for a while longer.