Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake push Alabama RBs in NFL to new level

Former Alabama RBs Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake were both drafted on during Day 2 of the NFL Draft on Friday.

It adds to an impressive streak of Crimson Tide running backs in the NFL. Alabama has placed six RBs into the Top 3 rounds of the NFL Draft in the last six years.

2011: Mark Ingram, 1st round, New Orleans Saints
2012: Trent Richardson, 1st round, Cleveland Browns
2013: Eddie Lacy, 2nd round, Green Bay Packers
2015: T.J. Yeldon, 2nd round, Jacksonville Jaguars
2016: Derrick Henry, 2nd round, Tennessee Titans
2016: Kenyan Drake, 3rd round, Miami Dolphins

Henry was the No. 45 overall pick, as the Tennessee Titans used one of three second round selections to add the Heisman Trophy winner to a backfield that is already slated to include DeMarco Murray.

With the #45 pick in the 2016 #NFLDraft, the @Titans select RB Derrick Henry! pic.twitter.com/c3iB8KNHH1

— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2016

It may turn into quite the bargain for the Titans, as it is the first time that a Heisman winning RB was taken outside of the first round since 1967, according to ESPN’s SportsCenter twitter account.

Since 1967, Derrick Henry is 1st Heisman-winning RB to not be selected in 1st Rd of NFL Draft or supplemental draft pic.twitter.com/3qIJPcYf4s

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 30, 2016

Meanwhile, Drake was selected in the third round by the Miami Dolphins, where he will have a chance to help replace former starter Lamar Miller.

Welcome to Miami, Kenyan Drake! pic.twitter.com/pLCbU43IeC

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 30, 2016

There will be some pressure on Henry and Drake to help improve the perception of Crimson Tide RB in the NFL.

Mark Ingram is a solid contributor with the Saints, but it took him several seasons to shake the “potential bust” label he earned early in his career. Trent Richardson is receiving another chance at the NFL thanks to the Baltimore Ravens, but he busted out of the league after three seasons split between the Browns and Colts. Lacy has shown flashes of being one of the top backs in the league, but he has battle weight issues through his short career. Yeldon battled injuries as a rookie in Jacksonville last season.

Nick Cole

Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.