Mississippi has long been a fertile recruiting ground for the NFL, and this year figures to be no exception as the league’s annual draft gets under way tonight in New York.

No Mississippi players are expected to be selected in the first round tonight, but at least four could be picked by the time the draft concludes on Saturday.

Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson and Ole Miss wide receiver Donte Moncrief are both projected by many analysts as second- or third-rounders and could be picked Friday night.

Rounds four through seven are on Saturday.

Jackson is rated as the third-best guard prospect by NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock, and some analysts have projected him to be picked as high as late in the first round.

Jackson started all 52 games during his career at Mississippi State.

“A team is going to get someone who is consistent and is a hard worker. I am mentally and physically prepared for whatever situation I am put in,” Jackson said in a release from Mississippi State.

Moncrief ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, which was third-best among all wide receivers.

He caught 156 passes for 2,371 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter at Ole Miss. He left school after his junior year to enter the draft, but will be part of a deep receiver class.

Mayock listed six receivers among his top 30 players overall. He rated Moncrief as the 15th-best wide receiver and 95th best player overall. Moncrief has worked out for eight teams.

Other Mississippi players who are likely to be selected this weekend include Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins and Southern Miss defensive tackle Khyri Thornton.