The Southeastern Conference owns a reputation for fast defenses and punishing rushing attacks. From Bo Jackson to Shaun Alexander to Darren McFadden, the SEC has primarily been a run-first league. With great backs by the likes of Mark Ingram, Marcus Lattimore, and Cam Newton as a dual-threat quarterback, the running game is still king in the SEC. However, the league is evolving and the number of elite wide receivers in the SEC is staggering.

Two junior SEC wide receivers are expected to be top ten picks in the 2011 NFL draft. Another junior- if he returns- and a sophomore could be top ten picks overall in the 2012 draft. That doesn’t even mention a senior that many considered the top senior prospect at the position before the season started. The top ten wide receivers in the SEC is a better collection than any other conference could manage, including the pass happy conferences of the Pac-10 and Big XII.

What might make this list more impressive is the lack of representation from the traditional passing power of Florida. No Gator wide receivers made the top 10. The Arkansas Razorbacks have traded the dynamic rushing duo of Felix Jones and Darren McFadden for a trio of receivers that made the top 10. The Kentucky Wildcats added a pair. The stars from Georgia and Alabama are listed with their top five prospects. South Carolina, Auburn, and LSU are also represented.

Top 10 SEC Wide Receivers

1. A.J. Green — Georgia Bulldogs, JR 6-4, 205 lbs

There is not a more complete wide receiver eligible for the NFL draft than A.J. Green. With his height and jumping ability, few are better at fade routes and ability to make clutch catches in the red zone. He is also a burner as he possesses excellent speed. In addition to being a future red zone target, Green will be a big play threat as well. Despite his height, he weighs in at just over 200 pounds. He will likely bulk up and add some meat on his skinny frame. Don’t expect A.J. Green’s business savvy (selling his bowl jersey) to hurt his draft status. In short, A.J. Green owns all the tools, mental and physical, to be a franchise player as he can make all the plays expected or desired out of a wide receiver.

NFL Comparison: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

2011 Draft Projection: Top 5 pick

2. Alshon Jeffery — South Carolina Gamecocks, Soph 6-4, 233 lbs

While Jeffery won’t be eligible to enter the 2011 NFL draft because he is a true sophomore, he simply could not be left off the list. In fact he might be the best pro prospect in the SEC. Jeffery likely would be an early first round pick if he could enter the 2011 NFL draft. Jeffery has amazing body control, especially in the air on the jump ball. The sophomore is very strong and has the ability to beat jams at the line of scrimmage. He has great hands, and drops are rare. Despite picking up double teams throughout the year, Jeffery continues to produce because of his physical skills. His size and ability to beat coverage are second to none in the SEC. Jeffery is second in the SEC in receptions, but averaging a whopping 18 yards per reception, he is easily having the best year as an SEC receiver.

NFL Comparison: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

2012 Draft Projection: Top 5 pick

3. Julio Jones — Alabama Crimson Tide, JR 6-4, 220 lbs

Julio Jones personifies a Nick Saban player in many regards. He’s big for his position for one thing. At 6-4, 220 pounds, Julio Jones has the size that NFL scouts covet. He’s also very strong and loves to push smaller defensive backs around. Getting jammed at the line will not be a concern. Because of his strength, Jones breaks a lot of tackles. He also has good speed for his size and is surprisingly agile. He is a very difficult man to tackle once the football is in his hands. Outside of Joe Adams, Jones might be the best SEC receiver after the catch. There is some downside to Jones, but nothing to be overly concerned about. He has had problems in the past with drops, and injuries are a bit of a concern. To Jones’ credit, however, he has played through a broken hand injury and will be a testament to his toughness on draft day.

NFL Comparison: Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins

2011 Draft Projection: Top 10 pick

4. Greg Childs — Arkansas Razorbacks, JR 6-3, 217 lbs

After suffering a knee injury, a torn patella tendon, it is unclear if this will have any bearing on the decision for the Razorbacks’ top receiver to forgo his senior campaign for the NFL draft. Childs was believed to be debating the decision, and this might have made up his mind one way or the other. Alshon Jeffery and Greg Childs are the best deep threats in the SEC. Childs might be the best jumper and has no trouble reaching around or over defenders to catch deep balls that have a lot of air. A big, strong receiver, jams and hand play down the field are not an issue for Childs. He has the ability to make plays after the catch, but sometimes loses yardage in an effort to make every play a big play. Playing under Bobby Petrino’s system, he can be counted on to be fundamentally sound. One potential drawback is that his long strides can make some of his shorter routes look a bit cumbersome.

NFL Comparison: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

2011 Draft Projection: Early 2nd Round

2012 Draft Projection: Top 15 pick

5. Joe Adams — Arkansas Razorbacks, JR 5-11, 186 lbs

Not every SEC receiver is gifted with Randy Moss size. Joe Adams certainly isn’t going to bully people around at the next level, but he is the most exciting SEC wide receiver in space with the ball in his hands. Many people consider Joe Adams the toughest player regardless of position in the SEC. He came back from a mild stroke last year to finish the season. He has taken monster hits while hanging on to the football. No alligator arms for Joe Adams. But what has pro scouts taking notice is his ability to make people miss in the open field. Adams can absolutely fly, and he makes defenders look silly with his ability to juke and shuffle. In addition, he promises to be an outstanding addition to an NFL team as a punt and kick returner. Adams likely returns for a senior campaign, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he leaves early. He doesn’t have the prototypical size for NFL receivers, and he hasn’t been used extensively in deep routes in the Arkansas passing system. That will give some pause for NFL scouts.

NFL Comparison: Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

2011 Draft Projection: 4th round

2012 Draft Projection: late 2nd or early 3rd round

6. Chris Matthews — Kentucky Wildcats, SR 6-5, 219 lbs

Many considered Terrance Toliver the top senior prospect in the nation at wide receiver before the year started. Due to off the field concerns and lack of on the field production, Chris Matthews has certainly jumped ahead of him, at least so far as the SEC is concerned. Despite the number of receptions- Matthews is 5th in the conference with 42 catches- no reception has netted more than 42 yards. That is a concern when you stand nearly 6 and a half feet tall. Most of that is due to the passing style of the Wildcats, but it still must be a concern. Some of that concern diminishes with Matthews’ ability to come down with catches in the end zone. Nobody in the SEC has caught more touchdown passes than Matthews. The biggest concern for NFL scouts will be the Wildcats making specific adjustments so that Matthews can understand the offense. NFL offenses will not be as likely to simplify their offensive scheme.

NFL Comparison: Mike Williams, Seattle Seahawks

2011 Draft Projection: 5th or 6th round

7. Randall Cobb — Kentucky Wildcats, JR 5-11, 186 lbs

Randall Cobb is one of the most exciting players in the Southeastern Conference. He might remind a lot of NFL scouts of a Dexter McCluster, but he isn’t quite that dynamic with the ball in his hands. He is very dependable with good hands and could play a hybrid position of halfback and slot receiver. He is very slippery in the open field and would be used primarily as a short route receiver and on reverses and sweeps to get him in space. The downsides are obvious and will be a setback for his draft status. He isn’t particularly big or strong. He is not a deep threat which is coveted by NFL teams. He is not going to be one of the fastest receivers at the combine, either. His overall versatility- he can even throw the ball a little- will assure that he will be drafted.

NFL Comparison: Chad Hall, Philadelphia Eagles

2011 Draft Projection: 5th – 7th round

2012 Draft Projection: 4th or 5th round

8. Darvin Adams — Auburn Tigers, JR 6-3, 185 lbs

With Cam Newton and the emergence of freshman running back Michael Dyer in Auburn, Darvin Adams has become an afterthought. It is unfortunate because lost in the Cam Newton frenzy has been a solid season by Adams on a team that has relied on Cam Newton’s legs rather than his arm. Last year with a passing quarterback, Adams fell just short of 1,000 yards and hauled in 10 touchdown catches. With his size and leaping ability, Adams will be a viable red zone option in the NFL. He won’t run off and leave NFL cornerbacks, but his speed is adequate. The thin frame will be a drawback, especially since he is not a burner. Teams will try to use his height and jumping ability, but they will likely find better options with more tools.

NFL Comparison: Laurent Robinson, St. Louis Rams

2011 Draft Projection: 5th - 7th round

2012 Draft Projection: 4th – 6th round

9. Terrance Toliver — LSU Tigers, SR 6-5, 203 lbs

Before the offseason started for the 2010 season, Terrance Toliver was considered by many to be the top senior at the wide receiver position in the nation. Off the field issues started to pile up, however, and that has only compounded the issues surrounding his draft status. His production on the field has never matched his ability, and all of these concerns add up to a draft selection cliff from which Toliver has fallen. When you catch as many taser shots in the offseason from the police as touchdowns from your quarterback at this point in the season – two each- do not count on that rookie signing bonus being that grand. Despite the negatives, Toliver will be drafted. He is simply too gifted. He is big, strong, and has very good speed for his size. He can really climb to get poorly thrown balls, especially on the sideline. There are too many good wide receivers without character issues that have produced in this class for him to go on the first day.

NFL Comparison: Dwayne Jarrett, Carolina Panthers

2011 Draft Projection: 5th – 7th round

10. Jarius Wright — Arkansas Razorbacks, 5-10, 186

Of the receivers under six feet on this list, Jarius Wright might have the most upside as an NFL receiver. Of the three mentioned, Wright is the best deep threat of the bunch. He isn’t as slippery in space as Cobb or Adams, but his route running and ability to get separation on the medium and deep routes are better. Wright has sure hands and has never fumbled in his career at Arkansas. Because he is on the team with Childs, Adams, and tight end D.J. Williams, Wright doesn’t get as many looks as most others on the list. Wright’s size is his biggest negative to NFL scouts. His route running and straight-line speed will turn heads at the combine.

NFL Comparison: Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints

2011 Draft Projection: 6th or 7th round

2012 Draft Projection: 4 - 6th round