The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine was a massive success for several former Alabama players, and now it’s time to see how mock drafts are reflecting that success.
Most recently, Daniel Jeremiah, a draft analyst for NFL.com, mocked six former Crimson Tide standouts in his latest first-round projections, which included the following players:
Miami Dolphins, No. 5: Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback
Jeremiah’s thoughts: If Tua’s medical reports continue to come back clean, he won’t get out of the top five.
Our thoughts: If Miami wants Tua, they’re going to have to trade up with either the Redskins at No. 2 or Detroit at No. 3. The positive reports on his medicals will force a team’s hand.
Arizona Cardinals, No. 8: Jedrick Wills Jr., Offensive Line
Jeremiah’s thoughts: The Cardinals re-signed left tackle D.J. Humphries in February; adding Wills would give QB Kyler Murray two athletic bookends to work with.
Our thoughts: All signs point to Arizona getting Murray more help at No. 8 overall on the offensive side of the football, whether that’s at wide receiver (CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy) or offensive line.
Las Vegas Raiders, No. 12: Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver
Jeremiah’s thoughts: The Raiders (26.2 points per game in 2019, 24th in the NFL) need to score more. Enter Jerry Jeudy.
Our thoughts: Jeudy would be everything that Jon Gruden and company wanted Antonio Brown to be in that offense. Pick No. 12 would be excellent value too.
Miami Dolphins, No. 18: Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver
Jeremiah’s thoughts: The Dolphins have needs everywhere, but it would be fun to watch Ruggs reunite with Tua to ignite a stagnant offense.
Our thoughts: Hard to imagine the Broncos passing on Ruggs if he’s available at No. 15, but their loss is Miami’s gain in this mock. Ruggs would add a much-needed speed element to the offense to complement DeVante Parker and Preston Williams.
Seattle Seahawks, No. 27: Trevon Diggs, Cornerback
Jeremiah’s thoughts: This is a perfect scheme for Diggs, who has elite ball skills.
Our thoughts: Seattle loves the length and ball skills at cornerback, but is Diggs enough of a willing tackler to keep Pete Carroll happy? If the answer to that question is yes, he should thrive.
San Francisco 49ers, No. 31: Xavier McKinney
Jeremiah’s thoughts: The 49ers will not pick here. They don’t have a single pick in the second, third or fourth round, so trading back for more selections is a necessity.
Our thoughts: Completely agree that San Francisco will be looking to move down here, but where does that leave McKinney? I do like that Jeremiah has McKinney going ahead of LSU safety Grant Delpit, who wasn’t listed in the first round.
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