With the NFL draft coming up, AL.com decided to seek insight on SEC draft prospects from some of the people that know them best — coaches and staffers from around the conference.

AL.com threw out questions to 11 SEC staffers from last season, including three coordinators, and gathered some interesting feedback on numerous draft prospects from the SEC.

Here’s a rundown of what they said:

NOTE: * is an indication the player is still in school for at least one more season.

If you had to put money on it, which players would you be willing to bet will be no doubt stars and perennial Pro Bowl guys in the NFL?

Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (nine votes)

All but two of the 11 SEC staffers who took part in this poll put in a vote for Brown, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound first-team All-American who will likely be a top-10 draft pick. “Best player in America that I saw in person and on tape,” one defensive staffer said. Brown, who may have gone in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft had he turned pro, tallied 55 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks as a senior for Auburn last season. “You panicked every time you had him singled up in protection, just wondering if your guy was going to be able to hold up,” a director of player personnel said. “Kevin Steele did a really good job getting him mismatched on your worst offensive lineman. Kevin also did a really good job of when the other team had him matched up or whatever, he would bring pressure away from him and cause the offense to slide protection away from Derrick that left him singled up and gave him the best matchup. I thought that was schematically really smart and something inside the game that people don’t see a lot of times.”

Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills (four votes)

A second-team All-American, Wills is in position to become Alabama’s highest drafted offensive lineman since Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker went No. 10 and No. 11 overall in 2013. “I thought he was the best offensive lineman in the league, and tackles are hard to find,” a director of player personnel said. “I guess everyone was talking about Leatherwood for a long time. And up until November, all of the scouts were still talking about Leatherwood. And I said, ‘Y’all need to go look at the other guy.’ … He’s going to be a rich man. I think he’s the real deal. I always say, it’s one thing if you watch a guy on film but then (great) when you see them in person and it’s even better than what you saw on film. It was that way with him. If I was getting my pick and I was with an NFL organization, Wills would be the first person I picked.”

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (three votes)

Burrow was the only quarterback to receive any votes for this part of the survey, partly because of concerns with Tua Tagovailoa from an injury standpoint. Burrow is widely expected to go to the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. “I thought his decision making and accuracy was just ridiculous,” a personnel staffer said. “I know when we played them, he threw the ball to spots I haven’t seen done in a long time. Had things covered but just crazy accurate and really good decison-making.” Others have doubts, however, about Burrow being a surefire star in the NFL. “I wouldn’t put that money on Burrow,” a personnel figure said. “I know the guy had a ridiculous year. I just wouldn’t do that. And I wouldn’t do it on Tua because of the injuries.”

Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (three votes)

Throughout his Alabama career, Jeudy was frequently compared to two other recent Crimson Tide receivers who came from South Florida — Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley. Those comparisons are still being made as Jeudy now prepares to make the jump to the NFL. A defensive staffer brought up Ridley, who has 17 touchdown catches in his first two NFL seasons, while talking about Jeudy’s potential at the next level. “Jeudy is just as good or better than Calvin Ridley,” he said.

South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (three votes)

While Derrick Brown is widely viewed as the safer draft pick, at least some in the SEC and NFL scouting world believe Kinlaw has the bigger upside between the two. “He doesn’t play hard every snap, but he’s a game-wrecker when he wants to be,” an offensive assistant coach said. “If you get him with the right people, he could be a great player.” The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Kinlaw, who spent two years at South Carolina after two seasons at Jones County Junior College, recorded 35 tackles and six sacks as a senior last season and was a first-team All-American. “A lot of the things he possesses, you can’t coach,” a personnel figure said. “And the guy’s continued to improve, but I still think he’s just scratching the surface of what he can be. He’s still developing as a player — junior college guy and hasn’t been in a real SEC college program for more than two years — and the improvement he made from last year to this year and then just what the guy’s got in his body, I think the sky’s the limit.”

Florida cornerback CJ Henderson (two votes)

Henderson, who posted a 4.39 40-yard dash time at the NFL scouting combine, was second-team All-SEC as a sophomore in 2018 and then a first-team selection last season. “He was far and away the best corner we played, and it wasn’t even close,” a personnel official said. “He won’t tackle anybody. They played LSU and he turned down like three or four tackles, just straight business decisions, but he can cover and that’s what he’ll get paid to do.”

Alabama safety Xavier McKinney (two votes)

A third-team All-American, McKinney led Alabama with 95 tackles last season and also tallied 5.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, three interceptions and four forced fumbles. “He’s got the right DNA,” a defensive coordinator said.

Others who received votes: — *Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (two), *LSU cornerback Derek Stingley (two), LSU outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (one), LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (one), *Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith (one), Georgia running back D’Andre Swift (one), Georgia offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (one), *Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (one).

Who were the toughest guys to prep for and match up against last year aside from the obvious top guys?

Kentucky quarterback/wide receiver Lynn Bowden (three votes)

Bowden, who led Kentucky in receiving in 2018, moved to quarterback in mid-October last year and led the team to a 6-2 record in its final eight games. Bowden accumulated 1,369 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns in those final eight games. “He was a b---- to prepare for,” a defensive assistant coach said.

*Alabama wide receiver/punt returner Jaylen Waddle (three votes)

At least some SEC coaches think Waddle is just as dangerous as the two Alabama wide receivers set to go in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. Maybe even more so. “Those other guys are obviously really good, but Waddle was a whole different beast to prepare for because he can touch it in so many different ways,” a director of player personnel said. “Ruggs, you just had to stay over the top and he wasn’t going to beat you as bad underneath. Jeudy’s a phenomenal route runner. But Waddle can do it in so many different ways. It’s kind of like NBA 2K. Ruggs and Jeudy have like four badges at a Hall of Fame level, but Waddle’s got like 60 badges and he can beat you in so many different ways. He can do so many things that he’s a problem.” In addition to scoring six touchdowns on offense last season — even without starting — Waddle led the nation with an average of 24.4 yards per punt return and was the SEC special teams player of the year. “He was the guy that was most dynamic,” an offensive assistant coach said. “And as a returner, he’s probably the best returner I’ve seen in the last five years.”

Florida defensive end Jonathan Greenard (two votes)

While his 40 time from the NFL scouting combine (4.87) won’t help him, the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Greenard was a first-team All-SEC selection in his one season at Florida after transferring from Louisville. Greenard led the Gators in tackles for a loss (15.5) and sacks (9.5). “He’s a little bit more in the Ryan Anderson, Anfernee Jennings type of role in terms of play style,” a personnel figure said. “ I think he’s better, he’s more athletic and he’s a better bender than both those guys. I think he plays the game the right way.”

Texas A&M defensive lineman Justin Madubuike (two votes)

Both SEC offensive coordinators who took part in the poll mentioned Madubuike as one of the toughest players in the SEC to match up against last season. In addition to posting the fourth-fastest 40 time among defensive tackles at the combine (4.83), the 6-foot-3, 295-pound Madubuike also ranked eighth among all players at the combine with 31 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. “You couldn’t move him and he was extremely quick,” one of the offensive coordinators said. “Created disruption with his stature, strength and quickness.”

*Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (two votes)

Even with Jeudy, Ruggs and Waddle working within the same receiving corps, it was Smith who led Alabama in receiving yards with 1,256 and in receiving touchdowns with 14. “I can make the argument that I think he’s better than the other two (Jeudy and Ruggs),” a director of player personnel said. “I could make that argument. Everybody talks about everybody else and I could make the argument that he’s the best of all of them. I thought as the year progressed, he kept getting better. I think the guy’s unbelievable.” Smith posted two 200-yard games last season and broke a school record with five receiving touchdowns during the team’s win over Ole Miss. “He’s so savvy,” a defensive assistant coach said. “He’s hard to press up and eliminate. Ruggs was fast, and you were like ‘Damn,’ but Ruggs didn’t scare you like some of the other guys did. He has freakish speed, but he can’t get off press. He’ll hit some deep balls, but do you want Jerry Rice or do you want Cordarelle Patterson?”

Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (one vote)

Last season was the first as a full-time starter for Crowder, a former running back who moved to defense in 2016. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Crowder finished last year with 62 tackles, which was the second-most on a Georgia defense that ranked third-best nationally. “He was pretty good,” an offensive assistant coach said. “He’s raw, He’s one of those guys that’s unorthodox. He can slither is what I call it. You can be right there to block him and he can slide you like a running back would and get to the ball. I kind of liked him. I thought he was a good player.”

*Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (one vote)

SEC coaches rave about Pitts, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound rising junior who finished third nationally among tight ends last season with 54 catches. “I think he’s a freak,” an offensive assistant coach said. “I called Larry Scott and said, ‘Man, where the hell did you get this kid from?’ I said, ‘Man, Larry, will you send that dude over here?’ That guy absolutely stands out to me as an all-around guy that can catch the ball and can create mismatches.” A few different SEC staffers brought him up as someone who will likely be a first-round pick in the 2021 draft. “He’s the real deal,” a director of player personnel said. “Mullen’s probably the most underrated coach in the league and he does such a really good job with mismatches and things from an offensive perspective, and that guy can really play. I think he’s a no-brainer, surefire, easy successful player in the NFL whenever his time comes. Size. Speed. Ball skills. Route-running. Mismatch. He’s the new breed of tight end. He’s kind of like if you go and build your tight end on a video game. That’s who you build.”

Others who received votes: — Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay (two), *Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (one), Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (one), South Carolina wide receiver Bryan Edwards (one), Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm (one), Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (one), Georgia safety J.R. Reed (one), Florida defensive end Jabari Zuniga (one).

Who are some guys that maybe aren’t big names that you’d be interested in if you were an NFL GM?

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (four votes)

A former three-star recruit, Edwards-Helaire was a first-team All-SEC selection in his only season as LSU’s starter at running back. While he’s only 5-foot-7, 205 pounds with a 4.6 40 time, Edwards-Helaire ran for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while also catching 55 passes. “I don’t know why, but people don’t talk about him as much as they should, and they didn’t in high school either,” an offensive assistant coach said. “That guy’s going to be a great player. I don’t know if LSU thought that when they got him, but he’s a phenomenal player because of his route game and his ability to run the option routes and his power. He can break tackles, like if you look at the Alabama game. There’s some plays where he was dead to rights and he breaks out of the tackle and scores. He’s just a guy that every week he was making plays.” Between his work as a runner and as a receiver, Edwards-Helaire had at least 136 yards from scrimmage in each of LSU’s final seven games that he received a full workload. “I think he’s going to be a nightmare depending on who gets him,” a defensive staffer said. "Probably the Patriots or somebody like that.”

Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay (four votes)

NFL scouts consistently bring up Gay as a player that’s better than most fans and people in the media seem to realize. So do SEC coaches. The former top-70 recruit could be a top two round draft pick despite some off-field concerns and making only six career starts at Mississippi State. “Fast, physical, instinctive, has bad intentions when he gets there,” a personnel official said. “Really good player. Probably the best linebacker that we played this year. He made some plays in our game that I was just like, ‘Holy smokes.’ He’s just ridiculously talented.” The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Gay posted the top broad jump among linebackers at the NFL scouting combine (11-4) and ranked second among linebackers in the 40-yard dash (4.46) and vertical jump (39.5 inches). “He’s a specimen,” a defensive coordinator said. “He belongs at the next level in some capacity.”

Alabama outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings (three votes)

Jennings — whom former Alabama star Rolando McClain once referred to as “the meanest mother------ you’re going to see" — was a three-year starter for the Tide and finished last season with 83 tackles and eight sacks. “He’s tough, he’s big, he’s strong, he plays football and he’s a grown man,” a defensive staffer said. “If you’re just talking about a pure man, Anfernee Jennings is a pure man. You’d probably have to look at somebody that came out 10 years ago to even find a comparison for him. He’s the last of a dying breed. They don’t make ‘em like Anfernee anymore. That’s a throwback linebacker.”

Tennessee safety Nigel Warrior (three votes)

While Warrior wasn’t among the more than 300 players invited to the NFL scouting combine, at least some coaches believe he has a future in the NFL. A three-year starter for Tennessee, Warrior had 70 tackles last season, tied for second in the SEC with four interceptions and was a first-team All-SEC selection. “I’ve always liked him, just watching him on tape, because he plays hard on special teams,” an offensive assistant coach said. “Special teams in the league, that’s how you stay there, right? He’s a guy that he makes plays and he did it in high school too and I’ve always liked him as a player. I see him at least playing a lot of years because of his special teams.”

South Carolina wide receiver Bryan Edwards (two votes)

While Edwards wasn’t able to work out at the combine due to a foot injury, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Edwards was a productive three-year starter at South Carolina and had 71 catches in 10 games as a senior last season. “He was the only true threat that they had offensively and he probably got a double team every game,” a defensive staffer said. “Big, physical receiver. Breaks tackles. He was definitely a difficult guy to prep for and deal with. We keyed in on him and he still had success.”

*Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill (two votes)

Hill, who decided to return to school after initially declaring for the NFL draft, ranked third in the SEC last year with 1,350 rushing yards. “I like him,” an opposing running backs coach said. “I was impressed watching him on the field. I didn’t know he was that good. His size and power, he’s pretty good. He’s a player. I’m surprised he came back to school.”

Florida running back Lamical Perine (two votes)

A former three-star recruit, Perine is in position to be a middle-round draft pick despite only running for 676 yards as a senior at Florida last season and despite posting an average 40 time at the combine (4.62). “I think he’s a big sleeper,” a personnel figure said. “He may go late and he didn’t run well at the combine, but he’s a back — you talk fourth, fifth round — that I think is going to play and play well. I like his game.”

Texas A&M wide receiver Quartney Davis (one vote)

Davis was an early entrant to the draft, deciding to forgo his final year of eligibility at Texas A&M despite only modest numbers as a redshirt junior last season — 54 catches for 616 yards and four touchdowns. “I think this guy is a big, physical wide receiver that has a chance to excel in a spread type offense,” a defensive staffer said. “Think you could really maximize his skill set on special teams. Can’t understand why he wasn’t better at Texas A&M. Maybe (because of) Kellen Mond?”

Auburn offensive lineman Jack Driscoll (one vote)

A former UMass transfer who started at right tackle for Auburn the last two seasons, Driscoll appears to be in position to go in the range of the fourth round. “ I think he makes it and I think he plays for a long time,” a personnel figure said. “The guy just knows how to play. I think he’s a little bit of an underrated athlete, but just instinctive. The Auburn offense is not really easy to evaluate — traditional pass protection and all that — and doesn’t do those guys many favors just with the style of play, but I think the guy’s got it. I just like the guy on tape.”

Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (one vote)

A former high school track star, Igbinoghene moved from wide receiver to cornerback in 2018 and was a starter for Auburn there the last two seasons. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Igbinoghene ran a 4.48 40 at the combine and had a 37-inch vertical jump. “I think he’ll be a guy that someone will take a flyer on,” a personnel figure said. “I worry about instincts with the kid, but he can fly and he’s a developmental prospect from a size, speed standpoint. … The instincts are problematic, though.”

Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (one vote)

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Taylor led Tennessee with 8.5 sacks last season while finishing with 46 tackles. Taylor had multiple sacks against Mississippi State and South Carolina and finished his college career with six tackles and 1.5 sacks during the Vols’ bowl win over Indiana. “He’s going to be really good,” an offensive assistant coach said. “His best years are in front of him.”

Others who received votes: Lynn Bowden (two), Alabama outside linebacker Terrell Lewis (two), Justin Madubuike (two), Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (one), *Texas A&M wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon (one), Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli (one), *Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks (one), Ole Miss defensive lineman Josiah Coatney (one), Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (one), *South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn (one), Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson (one), Ole Miss defensive lineman Benito Jones (one), LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss (one), Missouri tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (one), *Georgia outside linebacker Azeez Ojuliari (one), *Georgia linebacker Monty Rice (one), Texas A&M wide receiver Kendrick Rogers (one), Andrew Thomas (one), Auburn safety Daniel Thomas (one), Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn (one), *LSU defensive back Kary Vincent (one), Missouri offensive lineman Trevour Wallace-Sims (one), Auburn tight end Jay Jay Wilson (one).

Which SEC players from last season were the most overhyped?

*** Polled four of the staffers

LSU safety Grant Delpit (four votes)

“I thought he was as average as grits,” a personnel official said. “I thought he was average at best. Week in and week out, you play so many good players. I couldn’t have told you who he was (in 2018). I really didn’t notice him. I couldn’t have told you who he was until all the preseason hype and all that stuff going into this year. And then when we played them and I just thought he was average at best.”

*Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (three votes)

“Everybody that wasn’t really on top of their stuff media-wise was talking about Leatherwood being the guy last year and not even talking about Jedrick Wills,” a personnel figure said. “I think Mel Kiper had him in the first round mock and his name was listed all over the place. He’s not even in the same category as Wills. You can pull up stuff from before the season and they were talking like he was the No. 1 tackle. He’s not a left tackle at the next level. He’s an inside player.”

Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (two votes)

“Between his inconsistencies as a player and as a person, I think people are going to have concerns about drafting that guy high,” a personnel figure said. “There’s just a lot to unpack with him.”

Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs (two votes)

“I thought he was overrated as a player,” a personnel official said. “He’s really grabby and he doesn’t get called for nearly as many pass interferences as he should. I thought he would just get lazy away from the ball. Obviously he’s very talented and is long and can run and is a really good athlete, but just from a technique standpoint and from a consistency standpoint, I thought he was overrated in a lot of respects.”

LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (one vote)

“He’s getting considered as a late first round pick and I look at it as: Do I see this guy being an All-Pro? Do I see him being a true No. 1 receiver?,” a defensive staffer said. “He’s not super athletic. He’s not super fast. There’s nothing really that stands out that makes me feel like he’s going to excel at the next level. He was a guy that was reliable, that made plays, was consistent, was athletic enough, but I don’t think he’s in the same realm as the other top receivers in this draft. I just don’t see it. Ja’Marr Chase is definitely a better player. Do I think he’s going to go in there and play? Yeah. I think he’ll have a long NFL career. But do I think he’s going to be a Jarvis Landry? No.”

Missouri tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (one vote)

“Was very overhyped and overblown,” a personnel figure said. “Just doesn’t have the play temperament or demeanor.”

Others who received a vote: LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton, J.R. Reed, Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs, Andrew Thomas.

Other notes

— While Tagovailoa didn’t get any votes for that first part of the survey, several of the SEC staffers do believe he’ll be a highly productive player in the NFL as long as he stays healthy. An SEC coordinator said Tagovailoa reminds him of Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Others seem to think he’ll be even better than that if he does in fact stay healthy. “I think Tua’s a very rare player with a very rare skill set and talent,” one with an NFL background said. “I don’t know if there’s a player at the quarterback position over the last (decade) or more that is as instinctive, has the type of vision, anticipation and feel for the game that this guy has and the accuracy. He’s a very rare talent. He’s got rare stuff.”

— SEC coaches aren’t as optimistic about Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm. Of the four SEC staffers asked about Fromm, none sees him being anything more than a backup or spot starter at the NFL level. One compared him to former USC star Matt Barkley, who has played for seven different teams since being selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. “I’m not a Jake Fromm lover,” a defensive coordinator said. “I don’t think he’s got the arm strength to do things in that league down the field. I think he’s a product of a lot of good people around him. And when he didn’t necessarily have those people this year, you kind of saw the real him in my opinion.”

— Opinions were mixed on Henry Ruggs. Some referred to him as being one-dimensional and somewhat overrated. Others expressed confidence he’ll be a big-time weapon in the NFL. “I like him a lot,” one personnel figure said. “Speed makes him hard to cover. If used right, he can be a lot like Tyreek Hill.”

Matt Zenitz is an SEC football and basketball reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.