Since Nick Saban took over as Alabama coach in 2007, the Crimson Tide have become a factory for producing NFL players — especially first-round picks.
Beginning in 2019, when Andre Smith went No. 6 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, Alabama has 33 first-round picks in the previous 12 NFL drafts.
During that time, the Crimson Tide have won six SEC titles and five national championships.
The 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide currently sit at 6-0 on the season and are ranked No. 1 in the country. And despite all of that success in the past 12 seasons, Alabama could have its most first-round picks in a single draft coming in 2021.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY Sports recently unveiled his midseason mock draft, and he has five Alabama stars going in the round.
Cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the earliest selection, going No. 4 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas chose Surtain’s former teammate, Trevon Diggs, in 2019.
Next, is wide receiver Jaylen Waddle going No. 11 to the Detroit Lions. Waddle solidified his draft stock before a broken ankle ended his outstanding 2020 season.
In back-to-back picks at No. 22 and No. 23, the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders went with Alex Leatherwood and Christian Barmore, respectively.
The final Alabama player selected in Middlehurst-Schwartz’s midseason mock draft is linebacker Dylan Moses to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at No. 31.
Surprisingly, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones — the leading contender for the Heisman Trophy —was not in the one-round mock draft. Five quarterbacks did go in the first round, though.
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