The 2024 NFL Draft will be a historic one as it will include the final batch of [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] draft products. His run during his tenure with the Crimson Tide will never be matched as he has produced a first-round pick every year for the last 15 years and a staggering 44 total first-round picks. Even though the draft is still about two months away, Pro Days and the Combine will be upon us before you know it and it’s getting to be that time of the year.
Draft experts are already widely regarding this draft as one of the best ones in recent memory, especially at the quarterback position. ESPN Insider and NFL Draft Analyst Field Yates currently projects that Alabama will have three former players elected in the first round of this year’s draft.
The first Alabama player Yates expects to come off of the board is EDGE [autotag]Dallas Turner[/autotag] as he says, “Turner became an instant star at Alabama when he recorded 8.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2021, and he could have a similar ascension in the NFL. With his unique burst, length and power to rush the passer, he has a skill set that translates well to the pro level.”
Two picks later Yates expects CB [autotag]Terrion Arnold[/autotag] to be selected saying, “Arnold snagged five interceptions and broke up 12 passes in 2023 as a key member of Alabama’s defense. He plays through the ball in coverage, consistently making receivers earn their catches. Arnold also has a self-confidence to his game that shows up on his tape in a positive way.
Finally, Yates projects OT [autotag]JC Latham[/autotag] to be the last first-round pick of Nick Saban’s legendary career. Yates says of the monster tackle, “Lathatm is on the short list for the strongest player in the class, as the imposing right tackle consistently puts opponenets on the ground in the running game. The value of the right tackle position is getting closer to that of the coveted left tackle spot — a team has used a top-10 pick selection on a future right tackles for three straight years.”
I agree with Yates assesment that all three of those guys will be first-round picks, but I was surprised he did not include [autotag]Kool-Aid McKinstry[/autotag] on the list. I would be apalled if Kool-Aid is available on day two of the draft.
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