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More Ole Miss Rebels to go in 1st round of 2017 NFL Draft?

By John Luke McCord

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Laquon Treadwell (Mississippi) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number twenty-three overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Laquon Treadwell (Mississippi) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number twenty-three overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) is hit by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Tony Conner (12)at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) is hit by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Tony Conner (12)at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Tony Conner

Though Tony Conner only appeared on one current first round mock of the 2017 NFL Draft I found, he’s the most likely Rebel to do so in my opinion. The same injuries that have plagued the talented defensive back over the last two season appear to also be hampering his draft buzz prior to his senior season. However, that is not likely to affect his performance on the field this fall.

Chris Burke of SI.com has Conner going #27 overall to the Denver Broncos in his most recent mock. He also had this to say about the former five star recruit:

"“We just saw the Raiders and Falcons use picks 14 and 17, respectively, on Karl Joseph and Keanu Neal. Conner is next in line to be the hard-hitting safety NFL teams drool over. He might have joined Joseph and Neal in Round 1 had he stayed healthy last year.”"

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After signing with Ole Miss in February of 2013, Conner seemed destined to be taken in first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. His remarkable freshman season, in which he was arguably the most important member of the Landshark defense, only strengthened his case. As a hybrid linebacker/ defensive back, better known in Dave Wommack’s scheme as the ‘husky’, Conner has shown that he is equally adept against the run and the pass.

If Conner is able to stay healthy and complete his second full season on the field for Ole Miss this Fall, don’t be surprised if he ends not only in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft but towards the top half.

CBSsports.com ranks Conner as the second best strong safety in the 2017 NFL Draft. And Athlonsports.com says that he is the 44th best prospect that will be available in next spring’s draft.

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