Top 10 Florida players in the NFL right now: DBs lead the way

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Top 10 Florida players in the NFL right now: DBs lead the way

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/f...-florida-players-nfl-right-now-dbu-leads-way/

There’s no shortage of Gators in the NFL.

With at least one player taken in every draft since 1952, the longest active draft streak in the SEC belongs to Florida. Even though UF hasn’t won an SEC or national championship since 2008, plenty of players recruited by Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp have gone on to the NFL.

Here are the 10 best former Gators currently in the NFL:

1. Janoris Jenkins, CB, Giants
Of the five ex-Gators who went to the Pro Bowl last season, Jenkins is the only one originally selected as a starter. He’s also the only UF alum to be named All-Pro (second team) last season. The former Florida cornerback started his career with the St. Louis Rams, and after gradually improving over his first four seasons, signed a five-year, $62.5 million deal with the New York Giants prior to the 2016 season.

Jenkins’ college career ended at North Alabama after he was dismissed by new Florida coach Muschamp prior to the 2011 season, but for Gators fans who like to dub their team “DBU,” Jenkins belongs to Florida. Through five seasons, Jenkins has 18 interceptions, including five taken back for touchdowns.

2. Reggie Nelson, FS, Raiders
Nelson, known as “The Eraser” in Gainesville, has been in the league since 2007 and is still going strong, with back-to-back Pro Bowl selections. In his first season with the Oakland Raiders, Nelson made 65 tackles and had five interceptions. Even at 33 – somewhat “old” in NFL years – Nelson still has those natural ball-hawking instincts that helped the Gators to the 2006 national championship.

3. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Bengals
Florida’s not just “Defensive Back University,” the Gators also have a history of putting pass-rushers in the NFL. While many UF fans will never forgive Dunlap for partying too hard and getting suspended for the 2009 SEC Championship Game, Cincinnati fans have watched Dunlap develop into one of the league’s top pass-rushers over his seven seasons in the NFL.

When Jadeveon Clowney wasn’t able to play in this year’s Pro Bowl, Dunlap got the call. Dunlap has notched 57 sacks in his career, including eight last season and a career-high 13.5 in 2015.

4. Maurkice Pouncey, C, Steelers

The Steelers offense is a fantasy player’s dream team with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, but it all starts up front. As Pittsburgh’s center, five-time Pro Bowler Maurkice Pouncey (above) has been a key part of the team’s big numbers on offense. Though younger by one minute than his twin brother Mike (who will show up on the list later), Maurkice made the jump to the NFL a year early, as a first-round selection who has worked out well for the Steelers.

The top four Gators in the NFL have all come from national championship teams (2006 and 2008), but that’s about to change.

5. Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins
Reed had the misfortune of playing at Florida during a period of instability at quarterback and offensive coordinator. Arguably underused by the Gators, he’s now established himself as one of the top pass-catching ends in the NFL and an excellent red zone target.

The injury bug has kept Reed from playing a full season, but when he’s on the field, he’s a top target in the Washington offense. Last season, Reed played in 12 games and had 66 catches, including eight touchdowns, which earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. His best season came in 2015 when he had 87 catches on 114 targets, including 11 touchdowns.

If Reed can stay healthy, 2017 could be his biggest season yet.

6. Mike Gillislee, RB, Patriots
Much like Reed, many Gators fans felt Gillislee was underused during his time in Gainesville. After a slow start to his NFL career, Gillislee is finally starting to make a name for himself.

After being cut by the Dolphins, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2013, and the Arizona Cardinals, Gillislee landed in Buffalo. With the Bills, Gillislee saw limited action in 2015 (47 carries, 267 yards, 3 TDs). Last season, however, Gillislee got more opportunities due to some injuries in Buffalo’s backfield. Gillislee made the most of his increased workload, posting a league-leading average of 5.7 yards per carry (101 carries, 577 yards, 8 TDs).

While the number of carries is a relatively small sample size, the Patriots were convinced they should sign Gillislee in free agency. The former 1,000-yard UF rusher signed a two-year, $6.4 million deal with New England this offseason. He should be plenty motivated to show Buffalo and Miami why they’re missing out.

7. Mike Pouncey, C, Dolphins
The injury bug sidelined Pouncey throughout last season, as he only appeared in five games. That unfortunately snapped his streak of three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. Miami certainly believes in a healthy Pouncey, as the Dolphins signed the older twin to a five-year, $52.15 million deal in 2015.

8. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Buccaneers
He’s only played one year in the NFL, but to the surprise of few, he’s already shown he belongs. Gil Brandt of NFL.com named Hargreaves to his All-Rookie team, noting his impressive coverage stats: “Hargreaves was targeted 114 times and gave up touchdowns on just two of his burns. He’s a really good man-coverage guy, and it’s very hard to get separation against him.”

Tampa’s own, Hargreaves has a very bright future with the Buccaneers.

9. Keanu Neal, S, Falcons
Neal (along with fellow former Florida DB Brian Poole) was a key part of Atlanta’s NFC championship run. The first-round draft pick recorded 106 tackles, five forced fumbles and nine passes defensed in his rookie season. There’s a case to be made he deserves No. 8 over Hargreaves, but I gave the nod to coverage guys on this list.

10. Joe Haden, CB, Browns
Two years ago, Haden would have been much higher on this list, but the past two seasons indicate he’s on the decline. In 2013 and ’14, Haden defended an impressive 40 passes. Last year, he only defended 11.

There’s chatter about Haden possibly getting cut for salary purposes, but for his part, the flashy corner thinks he’ll be back to top form this season after having groin surgery.

Based on his past, I gave Haden the last spot over Jaguars DE Dante Fowler and Oakland LB Jelani Jenkins.
 

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