While many people argue about where different players will go in the top of the 2018 NFL, Ole Miss is likely to see two players taken in the 2018 NFL Draft: edge rushers Breeland Speaks and Marquis Haynes.
Unlike last year, when TE Evan Engram was a much-hyped first rounder, Speaks and Haynes will be waiting until at least the second day to hear their names. Between the two, Speaks is likely to go first; according to this site here, the over/under on his draft position is 75.5 (mid third round). Haynes helped his stock with a strong Senior Bowl, though, and now has an o/u of 105.5 (mid fourth round).
After a slow start to the season, Speaks, of Jackson, Mississippi, picked it up later and finished the season with second team All-SEC honors. He totaled 67 tackles last season, including 12 in the Egg Bowl victory over Mississippi State. He also was a force getting into the backfield and getting after the quarterback, picking up seven sacks on the season. He announced his intentions of entering the draft last December, opting to forego his senior season.
Haynes, of Jacksonville, Florida, was also named to the All-SEC second team this past season after coming off the edge for 7.5 sacks and 45 tackles. Haynes has consistently produced for the Rebels off the edge over his four-year career. His freshman year he grabbed 31 tackles and 7.5 sacks, sophomore year 43 tackles and an astounding 10 sacks, and his junior year he grabbed 53 tackles and 7 sacks.
Both players will look to join the fraternity of current Ole Miss NFL players, which includes Eli Manning, Brandon Bolden, Mike Wallace, Chad Kelly, Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and many more.