12 players drafted, four in the first round
For the second consecutive year, four players from Alabama were drafted in round one. Minkah Fitzpatrick went No. 11 to the Miami Dolphins, Da’Ron Payne went No. 13 to the Washington Redskins, Rashaan Evans went No. 22 to the Tennessee Titans and Calvin Ridley went No. 26 to the Atlanta Falcons. This is the fourth time under Nick Saban that Alabama has sent four players in the first round of the NFL Draft, 2017(Marlon Humphrey No. 16, Jonathan Allen No. 17, O.J. Howard No. 19, and Reuben Foster No. 31), 2012 Trent Richardson No 3, Mark Barron No. 7, Dre Kirkpatrick No. 17, and Dont’a Hightower No. 25), 2011 Marcell Dareus No 3, Julio Jones No. 6, James Carpenter No. 25, and Mark Ingram No. 28.)
High praise for Nick Saban’s Son
Minkah Fitzpatrick aka Nick Saban's son as he's done everything that Nick Saban has asked of him went off the board as everyone expected him to. With a high level of character, an ability to play anywhere in the defensive secondary, there is high praise for Fitzpatrick for good reason. In an interview with the Miami Herald Miami Dolphins' GM Chirs Grier said, "This was a player we just felt, at that point, that we could not pass up. He’s a unique kid when you meet him. Unbelievably smart, loves football. Obviously, he’s one of Nick Saban’s favorite players. This guy played right."
Payne, Evans, and Ridley all steals
As projected, Defensive Tackle Da'Ron Payne, Linebacker Rashaan Evans, and Calvin Ridley were selected in round one. Payne to the Redkins places him side by side with former teammates at Alabama Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson, and Shaun Dion Hamilton who was also drafted in round six. Evans is headed to Tennessee where he should excel early on with his ability to find the football, and also fit into the locker room with a strong leadership presence. Ridley going to Atlanta seems very fitting and the last time the Falcons drafted a player from Alabama at receiver it seemed to work out quite well (Julio Jones at No. 6 in 2011).
Washington Crimson Tide
Redskins Head Coach was asked if there's a common trait among players from Alabama. Here is his official quote from Redskins.com. In the past two drafts, Washington has taken four players from Alabama.
"They play at such a high level, consistently. Their defense is good week in and week out. I mean, In the last three years, they've been to three national championships and won two. So that type of consistency against the best competition in college football, their defense stands out. They get the top recruits out of high school. These guys translate to great college players and then, for the most part, they translate to great pro players. You're going to see that here. Ryan Anderson is just getting ready to make his mark and obviously, Jonathan Allen's going to have a healthy year next year and play extremely well [and] Da'Ron. So we're excited about these Alabama guys but we're also excited about everybody else."
Baltimore Crimson Tide as well
The Ravens have also continued to dip into the Tuscaloosa pipeline over the years. The Ravens selected defensive back Anthony Averett at No. 118 in the fourth round and then picked up Bradley Bozeman in round six at No. 215. In 2017, Baltimore drafted former Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey at No. 16, and linebacker Tim Williams at No. 78. C.J. Mosley was drafted at No. 17 overall in 2014 and in 2012 at No. 35 Baltimore selected Courtney Upshaw.
Former Alabama players now linked up together in NFL
Miami Dolphins
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Kenyan Drake
Washington Redskins
Da'Ron Payne
Shaun Dion Hamilton
Ryan Anderson
Jonathan Allen
Tennessee Titans
Rashaan Evans
Derrick Henry
Atlanta Falcons
Calvin Ridley
Julio Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
Ronnie Harrison
Marcell Dareus
Cam Robinson
Carson Tinker
T.J. Yeldon
Detriot Lions
Da'Shawn Hand
A'Shawn Robinson
Baltimore Ravens
Anthony Averett
Bradley Bozeman
Marlon Humphrey
Tim Williams
CJ Mosley
Green Bay
JK Scott
Ha Ha Clinton Dix
Sleeper in the Draft is
Ronnie Harrison would be a good pick for the sleeper in the draft. He was overshadowed this season by Minkah Fitzpatrick, but Harrison is a very versatile player that shine on Sunday's. Harrison recorded 74 tackles last season and three interceptions. In an article with Jaguars.com Harrison said, “I’m excited to get to work and be close to home; that’s where I’m from,” the Tallahassee native said. “Coming into a great organization and a great defense … I can’t wait to get to work.”
Jacksonville GM David Caldwell said the following also on Jaguars.com. "
“He is a very bright kid; really high football IQ … really smart kid,” Caldwell said, adding that Harrison did well with coaches on a pre-draft visit to Jacksonville.
“Coaches were really impressed with how he handled the questions on the board and picked up the scheme,” Caldwell said. “He had a good visit here. …. He was a high school quarterback too. I am sure you guys are aware, out of Tallahassee.”
Undrafted, But Also signed deals
Levi Wallace - Defensive Back - Buffalo
Tony Brown - Defensive Back - Chargers
Cam Sims - Receiver - Bengals
JC Haussenaur - Offensive Lineman - Falcons
An early look at the 2019 NFL Draft (How I would pick them)
1. Raekwon Davis - Junior - 6-foot-7, 308 pounds - DL
2. Jonah Williams - Junior - 6-foot-5, 301 pounds - OL
3. Terrell Lewis - Junior - 6-foot-5, 256 pounds - OLB
4. Damien Harris - Senior - 5-foot-11, 213 pounds - RB
5. Isaiah Buggs - Senior - 6-foot-5, 287 pounds - DL
6. Christian Miller - Senior - 6-foot-4, 244 pounds - OLB
7. Anfernee Jennings - Junior - 6-foot-3, 262 pounds - OLB
8. Mack Wilson - Junior - 6-foot-2, 237 pounds - MLB
9. Lester Cotton - Senior - 6-foot-4, 325 pounds - OL
ICYMI
NFL Draft Recap for Alabama
Round 1
11. Minkah Fitzpatrick - DB - Alabama - Miami (Read more on Fitzpatrick)
13. Da'Ron Payne - DT - Alabama - Washington (Read more on Payne)
22. Rashaan Evans - LB - Alabama - Tennessee (Read more on Evans)
26. Calvin Ridley - WR - Alabama - Atlanta (Read more on Ridley)
Round 3
93. Ronnie Harrison - DB - Alabama - Jacksonville (Read more on Harrison)
Round 4
114. Da'Shawn Hand - DL - Alabama - Detriot (Read more on Hand)
118. Anthony Averett - DB - Alabama - Baltimore (Read more on Averett)
Round 5
172. JK Scott - P - Alabama - Green Bay (Read more on Scott)
Round 6
197. Shaun Dion Hamilton - LB - Alabama - Washington (Read more on Hamilton)
215. Bradley Bozeman - OL - Alabama (Read more on Bradley)
Round 7
236. Bo Scarbrough - RB - Alabama (Read more on Scarbrough)
264. Josh Fraizer - DL - Alabama (Read more on Frazier)
Media
Past Alabama Players Selected In The 1st Round
2018 - Minkah Fitzpatrick/DB - 11th/Miami
2018 - Da'Ron Payne/DL - 13th/Washington
2018 - Rashaan Evans/LB - 22/Tennessee
2018 - Calvin Ridley/WR - 26/Atlanta
2017 - Marlon Humphrey/DB - 16th/Baltimore
2017 - Jonathan Allen/DL - 17th/Washington
2017 - O.J. Howard/TE - 19th/Tampa Bay
2017 - Reuben Foster/LB - 31st/San Francisco
2016 - Ryan Kelly/C - 18th/Indianapolis
2015 - Amari Cooper/WR - 4th/Oakland
2014 - C.J. Mosley/LB - 17th/Baltimore
2014 - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix/DB - 21st/Green Bay
2013 - Dee Milliner/DB - 9th/NY Jets
2013 - Chance Warmack/G - 10th/Tennessee
2013 - D.J. Fluker/OT - 11th/San Diego
2012 - Trent Richardson/RB - 3rd/Cleveland
2012 - Mark Barron/S - 7th/Tampa Bay
2012 - Dre Kirkpatrick/CB - 17th/Cincinnati
2012 - Dont'a Hightower/LB - 25th/New England
2011 - Marcell Dareus/DT - 3rd/Buffalo
2011 - Julio Jones/WR - 6th/Atlanta
2011 - James Carpenter/OT -25th/Seattle
2011 - Mark Ingram Jr./RB - 28th/New Orleans
2010 - Rolando McClain/LB - 8th/Oakland
2010 - Kareem Jackson/CB - 20th/Houston
2009 - Andre Smith/OT - 6th/Cincinnati
2008 - No 1st round picks -
2007 - No 1st round picks -
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