As it has for most of a decade, the Southeastern Conference is poised to again dominate this weekend’s NFL Draft, especially in the first round.
A quick note is needed regarding the NFL Draft and the “most of a decade” phrase used above. This post focuses on NFL Draft first-round selections. The Southeastern Conference has dominated first-round selections for eight of the last nine years, hence “most” of a decade.
If this post tracked total selections in all seven rounds of the Draft, the SEC would be on top for ‘more’ than a decade,10 of the last 11 Years.
After reviewing the first rounds of the last three Drafts, Peter King’s Mock Draft will guide us to what may happen this year. Peter King did his Mock Draft, three days ago. He does not keep kicking out new ones right up to the first pick. Even without more updates, he manages to be as accurate as those who throw out a couple of dozen versions.
2016 NFL Draft First Round selections by conference
Note: The first round had 31 picks in 2016.
- SEC – Eight
- Big Ten – Six
- ACC – Four
- PAC 12 – Four
- Big 12 – Three
- Others – Six
2017 NFL Draft First Round selections by conference
- SEC – 12
- Big Ten – Seven
- PAC 12 – Six
- ACC – Four
- Big 12 – One
- Others – Two
2018 NFL Draft First Round selections by conference
- SEC – Ten
- ACC – Six
- Big Ten – Five
- PAC 12 – Four
- Big 12 – One
- Others – Six
Three year total by conference
- SEC – 30
- Big Ten – 18
- ACC – 14
- PAC 12 – 14
- Big 12 – Five
- Others – 14
Based on Peter King Prediction for 2019
- SEC – Thirteen
- Big Ten – Six
- ACC – Six
- Big 12 – Three
- PAC 12 – Two
- Others – Two
There is one more point for data comparison Alabama football fans will enjoy. The 30 First Round selections to SEC players over the last three years breaks down, 19 to SEC West teams and 11 to SEC East teams.
The buzz over the last 12-18 months has been the SEC East is catching up to the SEC West in cross-division play. The 2018 NFL Draft, first round might reinforce that premise with the 10 SEC first-rounders split equally between the two SEC divisions.
Admittedly there is a big IF, but if Peter King’s prediction is accurate for 2019, the 13 SEC selections will be nine from SEC West teams and only four to SEC East teams.
For those Alabama football fans wondering about Peter King’s predictions for Crimson Tide players – he projects three will go in the first round. He also projects three first-round picks for Mississippi State – and one for Georgia.