How will the SEC load up the 2015 NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft is coming, and with it, more SEC glory.

We may not have Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota or even Leonard Williams to boast about, but we do have Dante Fowler Jr (Florida), Amari Cooper (Alabama), Todd Gurley (Georgia) and Shane Ray (Missouri).

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?

Yes, we get that our No.1 Draft pick from last year – South Carolina monster Jadeveon Clowney hasn’t panned out as we had hoped for – but that was a mixture of Houston’s turf and a hell of a lot of bad luck. Texas A&M’s Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel spent more time in rehab than he did on the field for Cleveland.

But former LSU wideout Odell Beckham Jr is God up in New York City after a collection of circus catches (including ‘The Greatest Catch of All Time‘. Texas A&M alum Mike Evans is doing great things in Tampa Bay at the same position. Alabama’s C.J. Moseley has been a great hit for Baltimore Ravens fans who dine out on a great defense. Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson started 12 out of 16 games for the St Louis Rams. Hell, even ‘troubled’ running back Jeremy Hill – who should have played for LSU in 2014 – has been a positive in Cincinnati.

AND WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2015?

For SEC fans, we’re cheering on former Florida lineback Dante Fowler Jr, who had 140 tackles and 14.5 sacks in a starry three years for Florida – including 60 and 8.5 in his final year in The Swamp. He could go as high as three. Then there’s Cooper, who caught EVERYTHING for Alabama last year, who will also go in the Top Ten. Even if we didn’t live and die at the throne of the SEC, we’d wanna hang with him. And there’s Ray, who led the SEC in tackles for loss (130) and sacks (14) last year. Kentucky’s Bud Dupree’s seen as a big prospect at linebacker, too. And if you’re looking out for the most talented, guaranteed-for-Sportscenter running back in the draft, then Todd Gurley’s your man.

Of course, there are the intriguing SEC picks, too. Georgia’s Chris Conley (WR) lit up the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, so it should be fun to see where he goes. Or Sammie Coates (WR) of Auburn, who may have had a few drops, but he’s really quick and can jump like a basketball player. Jalen Collins, the former LSU CB could end up in the first round. A big risk will Landon Collins (Alabama), a safety who’s actually going to be better as a linebacker in the NFL – we project – after he got lit up like a Christmas tree in the SEC. But he could still go in the first round on talent alone (that, and he played for Alabama!).

And of course, there are the fun questions. Will anyone take former Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall at corner? Or Alabama’s Blake Sims or South Carolina’s Dylan Thompson as QBs? What will happen to TJ Yeldon (Alabama), the Alabama freshman who could do no wrong but actually seemed go backwards in the last couple of seasons?

This is going to be fun. Let’s hope it’s going to be our draft, too.