OXFORD — The NFL draft is just over a week away, and it's shaping up to be a quiet one for Ole Miss football.

Still, the Rebels sent three draft hopefuls to the combine this winter and have a few other outside shots when the draft begins on April 25 in Detroit.

Which Ole Miss players could hear their names called? And how long will Ole Miss fans have to wait?

Here's a look at the best-case scenarios for four of the Rebels' draft hopefuls.

Cedric Johnson draft projection: Best-case scenario

Cedric Johnson's 2023 production was strong, with 5.5 sacks and 40 tackles, but those aren't the type of numbers required to catapult him into the upper echelon of the available defensive ends on NFL draft weekend.

Still, there's certainly enough about Johnson's game — and athletic profile — to convince a general manager to take him a bit earlier than the consensus might suggest.

A strong performance at the combine this winter led NFL.com to rank Johnson's athletic profile sixth among the draft-eligible defensive ends. An organization that values character could fall in love with Johnson, too. He won Ole Miss' prestigious Chucky Mullins Award last season, which typically goes to the spiritual leader of the defense.

This is a player who has twice achieved at least 5.5 sacks in an SEC season and likely would have done so a third time had he not dealt with injury issues throughout 2022. NFL.com's Chad Reuter recently mock-drafted Johnson to the Washington Commanders at pick No. 100 overall. That range of the draft is an achievable best-case scenario.

Daijahn Anthony draft projection: Best-case scenario

There are several attributes within Anthony's game that an NFL organization would find appealing. He plays downhill, physical football and has a nose for the ball — he forced four turnovers for the Rebels in 2023.

His roundabout path to high-level football also means he has some upside. The 2023 season was his only one at the power conference level. He started his career playing Division II football at Shepherd (W. Va.) University before moving on to Liberty.

Anthony played mostly cornerback at Liberty, so his versatility could be an asset at the next level. And, like Johnson, he probably made himself some money at the combine. His athleticism score ranked fifth among the safeties present.

A place in the late fifth round could be a nice ceiling for him.

WRAPPING UP SPRING: Three lingering questions for Ole Miss football, Lane Kiffin as spring practice concludes

Deantre Prince draft projection: Best-case scenario

A 6-foot, 183-pound cornerback, Prince is big enough to play the run effectively at the NFL level. He's got a knack for playing the ball in the air, too, that didn't always lead to interceptions at Ole Miss, but allowed him to make some important pass breakups.

The high-water mark for Prince in mock drafts is the fifth round. That feels about right.

Dayton Wade draft projection: Best-case scenario

Wade is a classic case of production vs. profile.

He finished seventh in the SEC with 830 receiving yards in 2023, working his way into regular targets after starting his Ole Miss career as a walk-on. Wade has shown a flair for the spectacular, too, with incredible one-handed catches against Georgia and Tulane.

But he didn't get a combine invite. And at 5-9, 175 pounds, his pro day numbers didn't jump off the page, either.

Still, it takes just one organization to fall in love with the tape. And Wade's history on special teams (remember, he was a walk-on) could help sway potential suitors.

He's definitely fighting the odds, but it's not out of the question that an organization would take a late-round flier on Wade.

David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss' NFL draft prospects: Best-case scenarios for these 4 players