There’s talk the next player could go No. 1 overall in May’s NFL draft, and no it’s not Jadeveon Clowney or Johnny Manziel.
No. 11: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn, Sophomore
2013 summary: Auburn led the nation in rushing this season, averaging 328 yards per game. Credit Tre Mason and the running backs. Credit Nick Marshall. Credit the scheme. But it starts with the offensive line, and though Reese Dismukes was the leader, Robinson was the star. He was as good a run blocker as there was in the SEC, if not the nation, this season.
Most recent ranking: Not ranked in the 2013 preseason countdown.
Making the case for Robinson: How did Robinson go from a four-star recruit who nobody had really heard of to a sure-fire top-10 draft pick with a chance of going No. 1? He redshirted his first year at Auburn, which he later said was “beneficial” to his development. He started 11 games as a redshirt freshman, but he was a part of an offensive that allowed a league-worst 37 sacks in 2012. That’s when Gus Malzahn arrived, and with him came veteran offensive line coach J.B. Grimes. It was a match made in heaven. The players immediately bought into what Grimes was saying, and it was only a matter of time before the results started showing. Robinson, in particular, became a new man at the left tackle spot. He had the size at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, but once he improved his technique, his feet and his overall mentality, there was no stopping him. He will likely make some NFL team very happy come May, and it could even be the Houston Texans, who have the No. 1 pick.
No. 12: Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU, So.
No. 13: Dee Ford, DE, Auburn, Sr.
No. 14: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia, So.
No. 15: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina, Jr.
No. 16: Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, LSU, Jr.
No. 17: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri, Jr.
No. 18: T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama, So.
No. 19: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU, Jr.
No. 20: Cody Prewitt, S, Ole Miss, Jr.
No. 21: Nick Marshall, QB, Auburn, Jr.
No. 22: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama, Jr.
No. 23: Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State, Sr.
No. 24: Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt, Sr.
No. 25: E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri, Jr.
