Teams keep finding reasons not to select Alabama defenders in NFL Draft
Round 1 of the NFL Draft was another banner night for the SEC, although once again it was a bit of a slap in the face to the Alabama defense.
In last year’s draft, despite the fact that Crimson Tide defenders A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Reggie Ragland all had first-round grades, none of them came off the board until Round 2 for one reason or another.
It was a similar story Thursday in Philadelphia, as Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster — a defensive end and linebacker, respectively — finally heard their names called much later than expected. As a matter of fact, cornerback Marlon Humphrey was the initial ‘Bama player to come off the board at 16th overall to the Baltimore Ravens.
Allen, a Top 5 talent, went No. 17 to the Washington Redskins. Foster, a Top 10 prospect, had to wait until No. 31 for the San Francisco 49ers.
Winning the Lombardi, Bednarik and Nagurski awards as a senior for the Tide, Allen was red-flagged by some clubs due to possible arthritis problems in both shoulders. It was never an issue in Tuscaloosa, though.
“He got all the awards for a reason,” said ESPN’s Jon Gruden on the network’s television broadcast. “He’s got (44.5) career tackles for loss, 28 sacks. The only guy at Alabama to have more sacks than Allen is Derrick Thomas. His instincts set him apart. He’s been well trained.”
As for Foster, not only did a few doctors dislike what they saw in one of his shoulders, but he had various off-the-field problems, as well. At the Scouting Combine last month, he was sent home after getting into a verbal altercation with a medical staffer — it turns out he flunked a drug test in Indianapolis, too.
“To me,” said ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., “if he can obviously stay focused on the job at hand, stay healthy, be durable, which is a concern going on, heckuva player. I mean, there’s no question about it.”
With tight end O.J. Howard going 19th to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Nick Saban’s team led the way with four first-rounders.
That being said, there was talk of potentially six or seven, which would have tied or broken the all-time record set by Miami in 2004. Offensive tackle Cam Robinson and linebacker Tim Williams have a frustrating night’s sleep ahead of them.
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
As for the conference as a whole, it matched the mark originally set by the ACC in 2006 — then equaled by the SEC in 2013 — with 12 selections in Round 1. The Big Ten was second with seven, followed by the Pac-12 with six, the ACC with four and the Big 12 with just one. Non-Power 5 leagues accounted for two first-round choices.
There was some uncertainty earlier in the day, but ultimately Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett got the nod at No. 1 for the Cleveland Browns.
“I feel great,” Garrett told ESPN’s Randy Moss, choosing not to attend the festivities in Philly. “This is me achieving just one of my goals, on to many, many more. It was just great having all my family and friends surrounding me and cheering for me.”
Shortly thereafter, LSU tailback Leonard Fournette went fourth to the Jacksonville Jaguars. More than likely, he’ll take over for Alabama product T.J. Yeldon as the primary option out of the backfield.
“I think he’s a rare talent,” said Gruden. “He can make you miss. He can knock you out.”
Another Tiger, safety Jamal Adams, is now a member of the New York Jets upon being chosen at No. 6. His father, former Kentucky running back George Adams, went 19th to the New York Giants in 1985. As a 10-year-old, he bet his old man that he’d go higher one day — the wager was for $50,000. No word yet on whether or not he plans to collect.
“He’s going to kill it in New York as far as the play on the football field,” said ESPN’s Louis Riddick, “without a doubt.”
D-end Derek Barnett had more sacks at Tennessee than Reggie White. Now he follows the legendary Volunteer to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 14.
“I’m just getting started,” Barnett told NFL Network’s Deion Sanders. “I haven’t even scratched my surface yet with my talent level, and I’m ready to get to work with a great organization. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Just like Barnett unexpectedly went ahead of Allen, Florida’s Jarrad Davis surprisingly got taken before Foster at 21st to the Detroit Lions. While Davis is a terrific linebacker, he didn’t project to go nearly as high as Foster.
“He’s today’s NFL inside linebacker,” said NFL Network’s Mike Mayock. “He can run. He can stay in the game on third down, which I think is critical in Detroit.”
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Even forced to play for arguably the worst defense in the conference a season ago, Missouri pass rusher Charles Harris earned rave reviews from scouts. Barely recruited out of high school — he was a 2-star kid — his transformation into the 22nd pick by the Miami Dolphins as a draft-eligible junior is nothing short of remarkable.
“This young man is adept as a pass rusher,” Mayock said. “Somebody’s taught him real well at Missouri. That was the highest need Miami had, and that’s a real good pick by the Dolphins.”
Evan Engram of Ole Miss, more receiver than tight end, went 23rd to the Giants. He’ll catch balls from another one-time Rebel, Eli Manning.
“He’s a mismatch nightmare,” Mayock said. “I don’t care what you call him. Forget the label.”
The third Bayou Bengal to make an appearance in Round 1, cornerback Tre’Davious White (above) saw his stock go up and down throughout the pre-draft evaluation process. At the finish line, when it mattered most, the Buffalo Bills liked him enough on tape — his punt-return skills no doubt helped — to grab him at No. 27.
“The guy plays inside, he plays outside, he plays slot, he plays off, he plays press,” Mayock said. “He’s a solid corner.”
With the Garrett selection, the SEC has now produced the No. 1 pick for the fifth time in the last 11 drafts.
Alabama was one of the dubious headlines of the night, though. Robinson apparently failed to convince teams that he was first-round worthy, as did Williams. Few anticipated such a freefall for both Allen and Foster.
Nobody is questioning what the Crimson Tide do defensively on Saturday — they’re annually the premier unit in the country. However, questions continue to be asked about the players themselves and their potential to be difference makers on Sunday. Saban works them so hard that it’s fair to wonder if their upside is limited as a result.
Only ‘Bama can see four of the Top 32 as disappointing. Still, this is two straight years that the NFL has mildly disrespected the Tide in Round 1.
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.
