ESPN’s wild NFL mock draft has 6 Alabama stars in first round

Alabama players and the first round of an NFL draft go hand-in-hand. This 2021 nfl mock draft by ESPN projects there will be six on night 1.

The NFL draft gets closer and closer, which means teams are up against the clock in terms of picks, trades and numerous other decisions.

One thing that is almost always certain: the Crimson Tide showing up on night No. 1 of the draft.

ESPN’s Todd McShay predicts there will be six Alabama stars in the first round. His mock drafts includes a few trades, which makes things a little more interesting.

Here’s where they land:

Another trade rumor involving Tua Tagovailoa surfaces

Former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could be on the move, but not to Houston Texans. CBS Sports writes that one of the top potential.

Former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had a rocky start to the beginning of his professional career with the Miami Dolphins.

After being second string on the depth chart to start the 2020 season, Tagovailoa was the starter for nine games. He completed 64.1% of passes for 1,814 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Miami failed to earn a playoff berth, and Tagovailoa went 6-3 as a starter.

He has been compared to two other rookie quarterbacks, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, but he did not perform at as high of a level.

The Dolphins are only a few pieces away from being regular playoff participants, one of which is a solid quarterback.

Miami has been cited as one of the teams expected to make a run for disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Rumors on that situation have come and gone with little information available.

However, the Dolphins also are being linked as a potential trade partner with the Seattle Seahawks for Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson.

There hasn’t been any official word on Wilson being on the trading block, but rumors point to him being discontented over the current state of the team.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports listed the top 13 potential destinations for Wilson; the top landing spot is Tagovailoa’s current home of Miami.

“There’s a reason the Dolphins have been linked to Deshaun Watson, and there’s at least a small reason coach Brian Flores felt the need to use Ryan Fitzpatrick as a “relief pitcher” for rookie Tua Tagovailoa in 2020,” writes Benjamin. “Miami isn’t yet sold on its long-term QB plans. The ‘Phins have plenty of money. They have lots of draft capital. They have Tua to dangle in trade talks. Wilson, meanwhile, seems like a safe bet to sign off on a potential move to Miami, which is a far cry from Seattle in terms of weather but also boasts a roster ready to compete in 2021 and beyond. Can’t you just see Russ in the Dolphins jersey now?”

5 realistic landing spots for DeVonta Smith in 2021 NFL draft

DeVonta Smith won a national championship, the heisman trophy and much more in 2020, but where will he begin his NFL carrer?

Former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith was a relatively quiet role player on the team for three years. Sure, he put up numbers, but he was in a wide receiver room that consisted of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle.

In his final season with the Crimson Tide, Smith blew up.

He finished his collegiate career as the most decorated receiver in college football history, with the 2020 Heisman Trophy capping it all off.

Smith is undoubtedly a first-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft, but the real question is: where will he begin his professional career?

Here are five realistic landing sports for the Heisman-winning wide receiver:

Latest USA TODAY NFL mock draft predicts 8 Alabama players in first round

The 2020-2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was very good, but now most of the players will be pursuing professional careers in the NFL

With the NFL season officially over, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the 2021 NFL draft order has been set.

College football players from across the country await to see where their professional careers will begin, and NFL fans look forward to seeing who could be the next star in their teams.

Luke Easterling of USA TODAY put together a mock draft that has a record-breaking eight Alabama stars in the first round.

Ranging from defensive playmakers to offensive juggernauts, the Crimson Tide makes up 25% of the first round in this mock draft.

Here’s where they land;

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian Barmore, DL

Christian Barmore
Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser

Barmore’s name has slid all across the first roud, beginning the season in the top 10, but now sitting a the final pick. He’s a proven difference maker up front, and with the strong defense Tampa Bay put on the field this year, Barmore would fit right in.

NEXT … Landon Dickerson

O.J. Howard, Bruce Arians are now Super Bowl champions

O.J. Howard and Bruce Arians both have connections to Alabama football. They are also both Super Bowl champions after Sunday night.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV on Sunday night. Yes, that means Tom Brady won ring No. 7, but the victory also had an impact on a couple people connected to Alabama.

First off, former Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard got his first Super Bowl ring. After totaling 114 receptions for 1,726 yards and seven touchdowns in four seasons at Alabama, Howard went on to be a first-round draft pick by the Buccaneers.

He’s been an important part of the offense for the last three seasons, but a ruptured Achilles back in October forced him out for the season. Still, he is now a Super Bowl champion.

Arians is Tampa Bay’s head coach, but many forget that he spent time at Alabama several years ago. He coached under Paul “Bear” Bryant in the early 80’s and was the team’s offensive coordinator in 1997. Over 20 years later, and he’s now hoisting a Lombardi Trophy.

Good for Arians, and good for Howard.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

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3 potential landing spots for Kenyan Drake

Former Alabama runningback Kenyan Drake is hitting free agency. Here are three teams that could make a run for the young star.

Former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake has had an interesting start to his young NFL career. After a few years in Miami, where he was originally drafted to, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.

With the Cardinals, Drake has been an effective back that has boosted their offense.

Last season, Drake tallied 955 yards on 239 carries and reached the endzone 10 times.

He is now a free agent, and there’s a chance he doesn’t sign with the Cardinals. So where could he end up?

Craig Mish and Joe Pisadia of SportsGrid listed their top-three potential landing spots for Drake.

3. Houston Texans

(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

The Texans have a lot of issues that need addressing. They have runningbacks in Davide Johnson and Duke Johnson, but nothing long term in either of the two guys. While the rest of the team fills out, why not try and acquire a solid runningback that likely won’t break the bank?

NEXT … A familiar team

Super Bowl LV: Two former Alabama players have a shot at rings

Two former Alabama standouts are looking to get Super Bowl rings on Sunday. And regardless of the outcome, one will achieve that goal.

Super Bowl LV is set to get underway on Sunday. Two of the league’s best teams, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs, are set to face-off to close out the NFL season.

Despite the fact that Alabama has more players in the NFL than any other college team, there are only two former Crimson Tide standouts who will have a chance at a Super Bowl ring.

If Tampa Bay wins, former star tight end O.J. Howard will get his first. Unfortunately, he will not be playing in the game after missing most of the 2020 season with a ruptured Achilles.

It’s unfortunate because Howard was expected to be part of a nice trio of tight ends, including Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate, for the Bucs. In 42 career games, Howard has 105 receptions for 1,602 yards and 14 touchdowns.

For the Chiefs, former Alabama wide receiver Gehrig Dieter will be looking for a second Super Bowl ring after helping the team win one in 2019. The third-year receiver is on the practice squad, however, so don’t expect to see him on Sunday.

It’s odd that the two teams participating in this year’s Super Bowl have such a small Alabama presence. But that’s how things played out.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Roll Tide Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

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Derrick Henry named NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Alabama football continues to produce succesful NFL talent, former Crimson Tide RB Derrick Henry has been named the NFL’s 2020 offensive …

Former Alabama running back Derrick Henry continues to add to his NFL resume, as he has been named the 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

The Tennessee Titans star offensive player had a career season in 2020.

On 378 carries, Henry tallied 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the league in all three statistics.

The 2016 second-round pick has been named to two Pro Bowls and led the league in numerous categories multiple times throughout his career.

Henry has been a key member of the Titans offense, which has led them to the playoffs in consecutive years, including a 2019 trip to the AFC Championship.

Henry is the first Alabama player to win the award since 2005, when running back Shaun Alexander won the award.

Is Jerry Jeudy hinting at wanting Deshaun Watson in Denver?

No one is certain where Deshaun Watson will play in 2021, but former Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy has made it clear he would like to see Watso…

Former Alabama star wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has had a frustrating rookie season with the Denver Broncos after being selected with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

The Crimson Tide product reeled in 52 passes for 856 yards and three touchdowns. Not too impressive.

However, some are pointing blame at Jeudy’s lack of production in year No. 1 on the Brocnos starting quarterback, former SEC product at Missouri, Drew Lock.

There definitely seems to be some insecurity when it comes to Lock being the team’s starter in 2021, but Jeudy has now added onto that stress.

The constantly swirling rumors surrounding disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and his inevitable trade have now picked up a gust of wind and is blowing toward Denver.

Jeudy was a guest on a radio show, Bart and Hahn, and may have slipped up by saying he’d be very open to the possibilty of having Watson join the team.

Whether this is a slip up or not is arbitrary, it’s not uncommon for a player to think Watson is better than Lock.

Latest USA TODAY 2021 NFL mock draft has six Alabama players in first round

Latest USA TODAY 2021 NFL mock draft predicts six Alabama stars to be drafted in the first round.

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With the 2020 season completed, players have begun looking ahead toward a professional career. The Senior Bowl showcased plenty of star power, especially some high-profile Alabama stars.

The NFL has one game remaining, but 30 franchises and their fans have already been glued to mock drafts and analysis to see who their favorite team may draft.

With only a few months to go, the projections are starting to clear up, and teams are homing in on particular players.

The latest USA TODAY mock draft by Luke Easterling predicts six Crimson Tide stars will be drafted in the first round.

Here’s where they land:

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian Barmore, DL

Christian Barmore
Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser

Barmore was a leader in the defensive front for Alabama in 2020, but his draft value visibly slid from top-10 to the bottom half of the first round. The Tampa Bay defense has proven one of the strongest in the league, aiding in their Super Bowl run. Barmore would be a steal this late in the first round and has the potential to be an immediate starter and difference maker.

NEXT … Najee Harris