SI’s Banks: 6 Of First 8 NFL Picks Will Come From SEC

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NFL writer Don Banks of SI.com — one of the best in the business, by the way — has posted his latest mock draft for tomorrow’s this week’s NFL selection party.  Among the first eight picks, he expects six ex-SEC names to be called.

His SEC first-round picks:


1.  Carolina Panthers — Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

2.  Denver Broncos — Marcell Dareus, DE-DT, Alabama

4.  Cincinnati Bengals — AJ Green, WR, Georgia

6.  Cleveland Browns — Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

7.  San Francisco 49ers — Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

8.  Tennessee Titans — Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

15.  Miami Dolphins — Mike Pouncey, G-C, Florida

28.  New England Patriots — Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

29.  Chicago Bears — Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State


Nine SEC players in a 32-pick first-round?  Sounds about right.  The Southeastern Conference usually accounts for about one-third of the first round selections.