Category: Bama in NFL

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

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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.

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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

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WATCH: Tua Tagovailoa talks about potentially being traded

Tua Tagovailoa has had his name in the headlines recently, but not for his plays on the field. He is rumored to potentially be traded …

Former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a complicated rookie season that began with him on the bench and eventually led to a slew of interesting headlines by the end of the year.

He threw for 1,814 yards and 11 touchdowns on 64% completion, while throwing five interceptions in his nine starts for the Miami Dolphins.

Now, some are beginning to question whether Tagovailoa will begin his second year in the NFL with the team that drafted him.

Rumors are heating up surrounding a potential trade deal that could include sending Tagovailoa and draft picks to Houston in exchange for disgruntled star quarterback, Deshaun Watson.

Not a single party implicated in the rumors has spoken out about them, but hearsay and ‘sources’ have made this nearly a must-watch storyline in the NFL.

As a guest on the Dan Patrick Show today, Tagovailoa was asked how he felt about the rumors.

He answered with a precise and short answer, just as Nick Saban trained him to give.

6 Alabama players projected to go first round in latest USA TODAY 2021 NFL mock draft

USA TODAY’s latest 2021 NFL mock draft predicts six Alabama Crimson Tide stars in the first round, with Najee Harris peaking in the teens.

The first round of recent NFL drafts always seem to be littered with Alabama stars, and analysts predict 2021 won’t be any different.

Numerous offensive an defensive players have performed at a high level for the Crimson Tide in their 2020 national championship run, now they’ll have a shot at getting to play in the pros.

Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports believes that there will be six Nick Saban products selected on the first night of the draft.

Here’s where they land:

25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Christian Barmore, DT

Christian Barmore
Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser

Barmore was a name that trended more toward the top 10 before the season began. While his value may have fallen, he is certainly still worthy of a first-round selection. The Jaguars need help upfront, and Barmore will be an immediate fix.

NEXT … Jaylen Waddle & Najee Harris

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WATCH: Miami Dolphins HC shares high praise for DeVonta Smith

DeVonta Smith is participating in the 2021 Senior Bowl. Though not coaching Smith, Miami’s Brian Flores has high praise.

DeVonta Smith is one of a select group of seniors preparing for the 2021 Senior Bowl. While the game is fun, the players are mostly there for scouting reasons.

The NFL draft is a few months away, but teams are trying to gauge who they want on their radar come draft night.

With the No. 3 overall selection, the Miami Dolphins have been linked to two Crimson Tide stars, running back Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith.

Harris has the unique opportunity to be on the team coached by the Dolphins coaching staff. Smith is coached this week by the Carolina Panthers staff.

Yesterday, Smith went on NFL Network and mentioned conversations he had with his former quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, about how fun it would be to reunite and play together in Miami.

Today, Brian Flores, head coach of the Dolphins, joined ESPNU to discuss what he’s seen in Smith.

Nothing but high praise for the former Alabama star.

Flores also weighed in on Smith’s size, which some criticize by claiming he’s too small.

WATCH: DeVonta Smith talks about potentially reuniting with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami

Former Alabama football wide receiver DeVonta Smith reveals that he has spoken to his former Qb Tua Tagovailoa about reuniting in Miami.

Former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith is now practicing in Mobile, Alabama for the 2021 Senior Bowl, where all eyes are locked on some of the biggest stars heading into the NFL draft.

Smith is the most decorated collegiate wide receiver in history, and is considered by many to be the best wide receiver in the draft class.

Plenty of analysts, mock drafts and fans would like to see Smith reunited with his former quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.

The Miami Dolphins would likely need to select the 2020 Heisman winner with the No. 3 overall pick.

Smith, during an interview on NFL Network, revealed the he has spoken with Tua about the potential reunion, and claims, “We have talked about how it would be nice to run it back again.”

Mel Kiper’s first 2021 NFL mock draft has 6 Alabama players in first round

Alabama Crimson Tide stars are no strangers to being drafted in the first round. ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects six Alabama players to be sele…

With the NFL season coming to a close, and college players signing with agents, it is officially draft season.

The 2021 NFL draft is still a few months away, but players, scouts, analysts and fans are getting ready to see who is selected where.

Since many of us can’t wait until April for the real thing, mock drafts are the next best thing.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has released his first mock draft of the year, and it is loaded with Crimson Tide stars.

Here’s where they are projected to land:

30. Buffalo Bills – Najee Harris, RB

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Najee finished fifth in the final Heisman voting and was an absolute game changer for the Crimson Tide in his senior season. The Buffalo Bills have yet to find a long-term answer for the running back position. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss have not shown to be capable of being every-down backs. Najee might be the final piece needed to get the Bills to the Super Bowl.

NEXT … Mac Jones

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