Sharrif Floyd, Matt Elam expected to enter NFL Draft, according to report

Florida juniors Sharrif Floyd and Matt Elam, both All-America selections, were regarded as the two Gators most likely to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. While both players have kept their decision under wraps in the run-up to the 2013 Sugar Bowl, The Palm Beach Post's Jason Lieser reports that that regard was well-founded, and that Florida expects both players to enter the NFL Draft.

Both Floyd and Elam have been projected as first-round picks at points in the 2012 season, and it is unlikely either would fall beyond the second round if in the draft pool. Floyd spent time at IMG in Bradenton after Florida's win over Florida State, likely to assess his draft stock and begin preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine; Elam, whose brother, Abram, is a safety for the Kansas City Chiefs, has been hinting on Twitter and elsewhere about his interest in playing on Sundays.

Fortunately for Gators fans, Lieser also reports that Florida expects juniors Dominique Easley and Jelani Jenkins to return in 2013 for their senior seasons.

Easley, who became a father during the fall, did not have his production meet his talent level in the fall season, and can improve his draft stock at Florida in 2013; Jenkins, who will miss the Sugar Bowl while recovering from surgery to repair his foot, was unlikely to be more than a third-round pick with an exit this year, and has the opportunity to lead Florida's defense in 2013 if he returns.

The wild card, then, is tight end Jordan Reed, who has NFL talent, but could still use work on aspects of his game. Florida is exceptionally deep at tight end and could absorb his departure, but Reed was the focal point of the Gators' passing game in 2012, and would be again in 2013.