COLUMBIA — South Carolina football has produced some quality NFL draft picks and this year's draft class is looking to continue the tradition. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and tight end Jared Cook are a few of many former Gamecocks who succeeded in the NFL.

South Carolina failed to qualify for a bowl after a 5-7 season, but still has the opportunity to have more players selected in the NFL Draft April 25-27.

Here are the best fits for the top Gamecocks players in the NFL draft:

WR Xavier Legette to the Carolina Panthers in second round

Xavier Legette is likely to be the first Gamecocks player selected in the draft. Legette is a 6-foot-1, 221-pound wide receiver who had 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.

ESPN's latest mock draft  has Legette going to the Panthers as the No. 39 pick. NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid wrote "Legette's physicality and explosiveness after the catch would give quarterback Bryce Young a serious playmaker."

Legette has met with the Panthers four or five times, and said in an interview on Tuesday that they want to take him as the No. 33 pick. The Panthers have both the 33rd and 39th pick in the second round. Legette is clearly comfortable with the organization. Legette is from Mullins, South Carolina.

QB Spencer Rattler to the Los Angeles Rams in third round

Spencer Rattler has interest from numerous teams, which has him in various spots in mock drafts. ESPN predicts Rattler as the No. 83 pick to the Rams. Matthew Stafford's years in the NFL are limited given his age and Rattler is not ready to be a starting quarterback. Rattler would benefit learning from an experienced quarterback like Stafford and coach Sean McVay.

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter said after a projected trade with the Chicago Bears, Rattler could end up No. 76 to the Denver Broncos. Rattler could succeed in Denver if projections play out, however their QB room differs from a team like the Rams. After the Broncos released Russell Wilson, Jarrett Stidham will likely be the starting QB. Rattler is undersized and his talent needs more developing and for the Broncos, he'd enter a more chaotic, inexperienced quarterback situation.

Other options:

• No. 66 to Minnesota Vikings, PFF projects

• No. 70 to New York Giants, WalterFootball projects

BUZZ ON RATTLER: What experts are saying about South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

TE Trey Knox undrafted to the Washington Commanders

Knox finished his South Carolina career with 1,204 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2023, he finished second on the team in receptions with 37 receptions for 312 yards. Knox brings size, strength and speed at his position. The Commanders need offensive talent and Knox could grow into a great player.

CB Marcellas Dial undrafted to the Arizona Cardinals

Dial finished his South Carolina career with 114 total tackles and 83 solo tackles. Dial has good defensive awareness, quick feet and stays in the face of the receiver. The Cardinals' cornerback room needs some improvements and Dial could help.

Top South Carolina Gamecocks NFL draft prospects of all time

• Jadeveon Clowney was the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the first No. 1 pick out of South Carolina in the 2000s.

• George Rogers was the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft for the Gamecocks.

• In 2012, Gilmore was selected No. 10 in the first round, kickstarting his successful career in Buffalo after playing for the Gamecocks.

MORE ON LEGETTE: Where will South Carolina's Xavier Legette go in 2024 NFL draft? Here's the latest.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: NFL mock draft 2024: South Carolina Gamecocks prospects projections