Only DTs in the Draft I can see being taken ahead of RJ McIntosh:
Christian Wilkins (6'4" 300lbs)
Vita Vea (6'5" 340lbs)
Da'Ron Payne (6'2" 309lbs)
Dre'Mont Jones (6'3" 295lbs)
Derrick Nnandi (6'1" 313lbs)
Trenton Thompson (6'4" 295lbs)
Taven Bryan (6'4" 291lbs)
Harrison Philips (6'4" 285lbs)
Rasheem Green (6'4" 276lbs)
RJ McIntosh (6'4" 291lbs)
Kendrick Norton (6'3" 312lbs)
So in the worst case scenario if McIntosh declared early, he'd go top 10 DTs. There were 12 DTs drafted in the Top 4 rounds last year. And Another 10 drafted in rounds 5-7. Having said that I think Kendrick Norton would be making a big mistake by leaving early. Rj McIntosh is having a great year though, so I think he would be picked in the first 2 days (=1st, 2nd, or 3rd) of the draft for sure.
This is why RJ shouldn’t go. Not only is he a redshirt sophomore and only 21 but all of those guys are 3-Tech DT’s(except vita vea) and are probably going before him. Kendrick on the other is a 1-Tech Tackle and those guys are usually taken in the 3rd round and that’s actually where he’s graded according to NFL draft Scout and Walter football...still beilieve if he tests well then he’ll go late first not to mention he’s also 20.
Norton will NOT be a 1st rounder. He hasn't played well enough to be taken that early, I don't think he'd be even a 4th round pick let alone a 1st. Secondly, Norton is a NT, but he actually isn't much bigger than any of those other DTs I listed. I mean Wilkins, Payne, and Nnandi are all about the same size, and Vea is obviously bigger and a definite NT.
Vea and Wilkins are for sure 1st rounders. After those two its anyones guess who the next DT selected will be between Payne, McIntosh, Nnandi, Thompson, and Jones. But I really doubt Green or Phillips go before RJ. And I doubt ALL those other DTs go before him either. If the draft were today I think McIntosh would be a late 2nd to 3rd, and Norton would be like a 5th. Norton should really return.