Category: Bama in NFL

Former Alabama center Bradley Bozeman expected to be released by Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are expected to release former Alabama center Bradley Bozeman at the start of the new league year. Bozeman spent two seasons with the Panthers organization.

One of the top interior offensive lineman in the NFL will likely be looking for a new home for the 2024-2025 season. Former Alabama center Bradley Bozeman is expected to be released by the Carolina Panthers at the start of the league year.

Bozeman began his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. He spent four seasons with the Ravens organization. Bozeman made 49 starts and played both guard and center for the Ravens.

In 2022, Bozeman signed a one-year contract with the Panthers. Following the season, he signed a three-year extension worth $18 million. In the two seasons that Bozeman spent in Carolina, he made 28 starts.

Now, the former Walter Payton Man of the Year for the Ravens will be joining a new team with hopes of making an immediate impact. Bozeman is one of the more experienced lineman in the league. It should not take long for someone to sign the native of Roanoke, Alabama.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program and its former players in the NFL.

Former Alabama QB Mac Jones traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars trading for former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones

The [autotag]Mac Jones[/autotag] era in New England has come to an end as the Patriots have agreed to send the former Alabama quarterback to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. Over the past couple of days, several people including the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had reported that the Patriots were exploring trade options, so the move doesn’t come as a total surprise. Especially with a new head coach and staff coming to Foxborough, a clean slate seemed like the best option for both parties.

While I am sure that Jones is bummed to relinquish a starting role, I think it is the best decision for him at this point in his career. Jones is originally from the Jacksonville area, so being back in a familiar area could be exactly what he needs. During his time with New England, Jones earned a bit of a reputation as a complainer and a dirty player, so it’s probably also good for him to step out of the spot light for a year or two.

Jones is only 25-years old, he is on a rookie contract and still has the upside of a former first-round pick so there is a lot to love. With Trevor Lawrence already on the roster it is unlikely that he will see meaningful playing time, but being around a quarterback friendly coach like Doug Pederson is exactly what he needs after having very poor offensive coaching the past few years.

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Former Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy traded from Denver Broncos to Cleveland Browns

Former Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Jeudy will help add to a Browns receiving core that is led by former Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Two former Alabama wide receivers will be able to suit up alongside one another next season. Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper will be teaming up in the AFC North next season.

On Saturday afternoon, the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns agreed on a trade that would send Jeudy to Cleveland for a fifth and sixth round draft pick in 2024.

Jeudy had been linked to the Browns during previous trade deadlines. Now, he will have the opportunity to join forces with Cooper to form one of the top receiving duos in the AFC, much less in the NFL.

Jeudy spent the first four years of his professional career with the Broncos. Over the course of his career, Jeudy has reeled in 211 receptions for 3,053 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

A change of scenery was likely the best option for Jeudy moving forward. The Broncos have decided to part ways with several key assets in recent days. It seemed like only a matter of time before Jeudy was traded elsewhere. The Florida native will join one of the top offenses in the AFC and will add experience at the wide receiver position. It will be interesting to see how he performs in Cleveland.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its former players in the NFL.

New England Patriots open to trading Mac Jones per NFL Network Insider

Mac Jones may be a name to watch in trade rumors in the coming weeks

Former Alabama quarterback [autotag]Mac Jones[/autotag] was given the impossible task of replacing the legendary [autotag]Tom Brady[/autotag] in New England after being selected No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Things appeared to be working as Jones was named as Pro Bowler for the 2021 season and posted a 10-7 record while completing 67.6% of his passes for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns to 13 interceptions.

Unfortunately, the next two seasons have not quite gone according to plan in Foxborough as the team has gone 12-22 over that span and fired long-time head coach Bill Belichick. As the quarterback, most of the blame has fallen on the shoulders of Jones, despite the fact they have had one of the poorer rosters in the league for a few years now. In fact, it was part of the reason Brady left the Patriots in the first place.

Jones has been in and out of the lineup for the past season or two in favor of backup Bailey Zappe and it is getting to a point where both sides could probably use fresh starts. There have been stories of Jones getting into arguments with players and coaches, while the team has also not done him any favors. Now, with a new coach in town Jerod Mayo, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that both sides are trending in the direction of a fresh start.

There are no shortage of teams in the NFL who could use a quarterback right now and I believe there is still a lot to like about Jones. He is still on a rookie contract, you wouldn’t have trade much for him and he still has the upside of a first round pick.

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Patriots LB Matthew Judon makes pitch to two former Alabama players to join him in New England

Patriots LB makes the case for two former Alabama players to join him in New England

Over the last five to ten years, no team in the NFL has struggled more with finding skill players than the New England Patriots. Whether it was whiffing on Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith in free agency, or some bad draft picks like N’Keal Harry, the roster just simply has not been that good. Nobody knows the struggles better than former Alabama quarterback [autotag]Mac Jone[/autotag]s who has been tasked with winning with the roster.

Heading into 2024, a new leaf has been turned in Foxborough as the Pats and longtime head coach and general manager Bill Belichick parted ways. Belichick is widely regarded as the greatest coach of all-time, but hiss inability to bring in young talent was a big reason for that.

Now, Patriots superstar LB Matthew Judon is making the case for [autotag]Calvin Ridley[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Jacobs[/autotag] to join him up North. Jacobs has been one of the most productive running backs in the league over the past five years with the Raiders and would be the best New England has had in some time. Ridley has been a bit spotty as he has missed time due to personal matter and suspensions, but when he has been on the field he’d been as productive as anyone.

In 2023, Ridley posted 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns with the Jaguars. In 2022, Jacobs was the NFL rushing champion and this past season he led the way in Las Vegas with 1,101 yards and six touchdowns.

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5 ideal landing spots for former Alabama safety Eddie Jackson

Former Alabama safety Eddie Jackson was recently released by the Chicago Bears. Roll Tide Wire lists five ideal landing spots for Jackson.

Last week, the Chicago Bears decided to part ways with former Alabama safety Eddie Jackson. Jackson spent his entire NFL career in Chicago and will now join a new team for the first time in his NFL career.

A reunion does not seem likely at this point in time. By making the move, the Bears were able to clear up a lot of cap space. Meaning Jackson’s time in the Windy City has likely come to an end. He could return to the team down the line, but he will suit up elsewhere next season.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at five ideal landing spots for Jackson.

5 ideal landing spots for RB Josh Jacobs in free agency

If Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs hits NFL free agency, here are five teams that could be a good fit.

There is a chance that former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs does not return to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders do not plan to place the franchise tag on Jacobs, but the two sides have been working towards a new contract.

The two sides have been unable to agree on a long-term deal for a while now. Jacobs played the 2023 season under the team’s franchise tag.

There appears to be interest from both sides in keeping him with the franchise, but the clock is ticking and Jacobs could soon be a free agent.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at five ideal landing spots for Jacobs if the two sides decide to part ways.

REPORT: Raiders, Jacobs ‘inching towards a deal’ as NFL free agency looms

Recent reports reflect that the Las Vegas Raiders and star RB Josh Jacobs are making progress on a deal to avoid free agency.

Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs will not be franchise-tagged by the Las Vegas Raiders over the 2024 offseason after playing last season under the tag. Though this would allow the star running back to test free agency, there’s a chance the team can sign him to a new deal before he gets the opportunity.

According to a recent report from Tony Pauline of SportsKeeda, there has been some progress from both sides.

“Word late Tuesday night was the Las Vegas Raiders and running back Josh Jacobs were inching their way towards a deal which will keep the former first-round pick with the team,” writes Pauline. “Nothing is imminent but there’s a lot riding on the line – not only for the Raiders and Jacobs but also for the rest of the class of potential free-agent running backs.”

Jacobs, who was a first-round selection by the Raiders in 2019, had a rather limited season in 2023 after having a strong 2022. Last season, he played in 13 games and totaled 805 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 233 carries. He also managed to add 296 receiving yards on 37 receptions, though he was targeted 54 times.

Despite the lackluster numbers, Jacobs remains one of the best running backs in the league and should warrant a quality contract. As the March 13 start to free agency inches closer, the clock starts to tick a little bit faster on the negotiations.

The Raiders need to decide whether they want to give him a deal Jacobs is happy with to lock him down, or if they want to go a different route and possibly draft a ball-carrier. For Jacobs, he’s clearly interested in staying with the team; but should he be able to meet with other teams, there would surely be serious interest from around the league, including some from contenders looking for a game-changing running back.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Josh Jacobs and other former Alabama players in the NFL throughout the 2024 offseason.

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DeVonta Smith shocks Cam Newton with response to Iron Bowl rivalry

While on Cam Newton’s podcast, former Alabama WR DeVonta Smith says that even without Saban it will never be Auburn’s time.

Former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith let out a chuckle and a hilarious comeback when former Auburn football star quarterback Cam newton told Smith that now might be Auburn’s time

Newton stated “I think it’s our time now,” referring to Auburn being the leading football team in the state now that head coach Nick Saban has retired.

The former Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver laughed and responded by saying, “Ain’t gonna never be y’all’s time.” Newton seemed rather surprised by Smith saying this, but it’s safe to say most Crimson Tide fans feel the same way.

New head coach Kalen DeBoer will now have to take over the Alabama program, which comes with dealing with the in-state rival. The first Iron Bowl for DeBoer should be a memorable one.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

New 2024 NFL mock draft: Yates’ debuts Round 1 Alabama prospects

ESPN NFL Draft expert first-round mock prediction includes three former Alabama players

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.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.