Alabama unlikely to tie record for first-rounders in NFL Draft, let alone break it
While Alabama won the national championship in 2015, that team wasn’t shown the respect it may have deserved in the subsequent NFL Draft.
Despite the fact that several players had first-round grades, only one Crimson Tider went in Round 1. ‘Bama did own Round 2, though. Reggie Ragland, Derrick Henry, A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Cyrus Jones were all selected.
The Tide failed to win the national title in 2016 — they came up one second shy against Clemson — but this time the pros can’t wait to get their hands on coach Nick Saban’s roster. Miami owns the all-time record for first-round picks in a single draft with six in 2004, but the premier program in America is threatening to break that mark tonight.
However, by the time each of the 32 choices is made in Philadelphia, I don’t expect Alabama to even tie The U’s standard, let alone surpass it.
According to the latest rankings at CBS Sports, which have been constantly updated throughout the pre-draft evaluation process, the Crimson Tide have only three players who are apparently a lock for the first round.
Those three are defensive end Jonathan Allen, tight end O.J. Howard and linebacker Reuben Foster — each is considered to be in the Top 10 overall. Offensive tackle Cam Robinson and cornerback Marlon Humphrey are currently projected to go in the late first round or perhaps early second. Linebacker Tim Williams has been downgraded to Round 2.
Allen, Howard and Foster have been holding steady, but Robinson, Humphrey and Williams are fighting gravity at the moment.
Because Robinson’s (below) future might be inside at guard, not outside at tackle, he’s tumbled down a few draft boards. Some organizations don’t want to invest a first-rounder unless the player in question lines up at a premium position.
Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Humphrey is being lauded for his toughness — in particular, he’s a tremendous tackler for a corner — but not necessarily as a blanket in coverage. As for Williams, on the field he’s labeled a one-trick pony as a pass rusher and not much of a run stopper. Off the field, he’s failed multiple drug tests and is a suspension risk.
The draft would have to break just right for ‘Bama to get all six in Round 1 simply to pull even with the Hurricanes.
Assuming that does happen, and it very well could, another organization would still have to reach drastically for a seventh member of the Tide in order to pass the ‘Canes. That’s even less likely of a scenario at this point.
The next three possibilities are linebacker Ryan Anderson, receiver ArDarius Stewart and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson — all graded for Rounds 2-3 right now. Safety Eddie Jackson presently has an evaluation suggesting third round, although he’s coming off a broken leg and just had another minor surgery Monday.
Don’t get me wrong. Alabama will be well represented in Philly. Nevertheless, Miami’s record should be comfortably intact.
That being said, it might not be secure for long. No matter what the Crimson Tide eventually do in 2017, and they’ll probably be preseason No. 1 yet again, there’s no shortage of future pros in Tuscaloosa.
Offensively, wideout Calvin Ridley and running back Bo Scarbrough are favorites among scouts. On the other side of the ball, Da’Shawn Hand and Da’Ron Payne are generating buzz up front, linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton is a top prospect — he’s coming off injury, to be fair — and defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison are legit.
That’s seven possible first-rounders right there. Even if Saban and Co. come up a bit short tonight, the 2018 draft is already covered in crimson.
* This column was been updated to reflect Alabama center Ryan Kelly being selected in Round 1 of the 2016 NFL Draft. That fact was mistakenly omitted.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
