PFN’s latest 2021 NFL mock draft includes 6 Alabama players in first round

Chris Spooner of pro football network included six alabama stars in the first round of his latest 2021 nfl mock draft.

Alabama is a name read all too often in the first round of NFL drafts, and the program is covering mock drafts all across the country.

Pro Football Network’s Chris Spooner put together his latest 2021 NFL mock draft and it includes a healthy amount of Crimson tide stars.

Here’s where Spooner predicts teams will select the Nick Saban products on night No. 1 of the draft:

25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Christian Barmore, DT

Barmore is a key piece to the Alabama defensive front. While most mock drafts had him being selected much sooner in the first round, a slow start to the Crimson Tide defense has led him to fall a bit, but Spooner still thinks Barmore is worth the pick and could help the Jaguars defense.

Next … a star WR

Pages: 1234

7 Alabama players in first round of latest CBS Sports 2021 NFL mock draft

Seven Alabama players are projected to go in the first round of CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson’s 2021 NFl mocl draft, including QB Mac Jones.

After defeating No. 3 Georgia, No. 2 Alabama is now the only SEC program to remian undefeated through four weeks. The Crimson Tide holds claim to three top-ten Heisman hopefuls and the program seems primed to pump out plenty of first-round talent into the 2021 NFL draft.

Nick Saban is certainly no stranger to having former players selected in the first round, and CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson seems to have taken notice. Wilson’s latest 2021 NFL mock draft includes seven Alabama stars in the first round.

Here’s where Wilson predicts the Crimson Tide products will land:

29. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alex Leatherwood, OT

Leatherwood has stepped up big time into a lead role on the Alabama offensive line. After losing Jedrick Wills to the 2020 NFL draft, Leatherwood is now the go-to tackle. Wilson calls this pick potentil “insurance” in case they are unable to resign Villanueva.

Next … another Alabama QB in round one?

Pages: 1234

Matchup between Alabama, Georgia will feature handful of potential Chargers prospects

Nine prospects from the matchup between Alabama and Georgia could appeal to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The weekend is near which means that there will be plenty of football to soak in.

For Chargers fans, this would be a good time to catch some of the college football action on Saturday. One, the team is on their bye week. Two, a handful of them are already looking towards the future with Los Angeles sitting at 1-4.

One of the marquee matchups that’ll be featured is between Alabama and Georgia, which will start at 5:00 p.m. and will be televised on CBS. The showdown between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs will have a large grip of players who the Bolts could have their eyes on.

Let’s take a look at who could be drawing the team’s attention:

Alabama

CB Patrick Surtain

Surtain is touted as one of the top corners in this year’s draft class. The 6-foot-2 and 205 pounder has been lockdown, only allowing three catches for 38 yards this season. Surtain is a long, smooth athlete who has impressive instincts and ball skills. He could afford to get more involved in the run game, but overall, he has the makeup of an All-Pro cornerback.

Projected Round: Top-10

OT Alex Leatherwood

Leatherwood, the 6-foot-5 and 313 pounder, has made 31 starts so far for the Crimson Tide with 13 of them coming at right guard in 2018. Leatherwood is an excellent pass protector who possesses great size, length and physicality to grow into a very reliable tackle or guard at the next level.

Projected Round: 1st

WR Jaylen Waddle

Speed kills. Waddle, the 5-foot-10 and 182 pounder, is a pass-catcher with elite phone booth quicks and legitimate breakaway speed to threaten a defense vertically. He can line up all across the formation as well as serve as a return man.

Projected Round: 1st

WR DeVonta Smith

While Smith may not have the track speed like Waddle, the 6-foot and 172 pounders plays with a well-rounded route tree, excellent footwork, and brings the separation tactics to thrive at the next level. Through four seasons, Smith has 2,425 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Projected Round: 1st-2nd

CB Josh Jobe

Surtain is the No. 1 corner but opposite of him is another player who has proven to put the clamps on receivers. Jobe, who leads the team in passes defensed (3), has good length and size at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, reactive athleticism and ball skills.

Projected Round: 3rd-4th

Georgia

CB Tyson Campbell

Campbell, the 6-foot-2 and 185 pounder, is a physically gifted and reactive athlete with great length that possesses speed, excellent closing speed and instincts. Through three games, he has three passes defensed.

Projected Round: 1st-2nd

CB Eric Stokes

Stokes has been a ball magnet for the Bulldogs, totaling three interceptions and four passes defensed through the first three games. He now has 18 passes defended over his first two seasons. The 6-foot-1 and 185 pounder has the prototypical build for the position with speed, physicality and plus coverage ability.

Projected Round: 2nd

CB DJ Daniel

Overlooked due to the presences of Campbell and Stokes, Daniel, the 6-foot and 182 pounder, is a sub-package ace who is quick and agile with very good mirroring skills. In 2019, the JUCO transfer had eight passes defensed.

Projected Round: 2nd-3rd

G Ben Cleveland

Cleveland’s continuity has helped a partly revamped offensive line after three were drafted in this past draft. The 6-foot-6 and 342 pounder is a solid all-around interior lineman with proven durability and experience who is a strong blocker in the run game and has good awareness in pass protection. Most recently, Cleveland helped allow Georgia’s running backs to go for 202 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries last weekend against Auburn.

Projected Round: 3rd-4th

NBC Sports latest 2021 NFL mock draft predicts 4 Alabama first-rounders

NBC Sports’ latest 2021 NFL mock draft predicts four Alabama stars in the first round.

After completing Week 4 of NFL action, the 2021 NFL draft is one week closer. While the draft order isn’t set, NFL fans and front offices are starting to get a general idea of where their team stands.

Nick Saban may already have his Draft Night suit picked out, as it seems like an invite to him is almost mandatory. Like clockwork, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is likely practicing the names of a few Crimson Tide products.

NBC Sports’ Glynn Morgan put together a 2021 NFL mock draft that includes four Alabama football stars.

Here’s where they land:

29. New York Jets – Deonte Brown, G

Brown is a key member of Alabama’s offensive line on the 2020 squad. He’s not a name typically seen on mock drafts for 2021. However, Morgan believes Brown is potenitaly the strongest lineman in this draft class. A struggling New York Jets team that can’t protect their 2018 first-round quarterback could use a quality big man up front.

Next … a star wide receiver

Pages: 1234

Jags land various Gators in Draft Wire 3-round mock

The Jacksonville Jaguars were able to find their TE of the future in Draft Wire’s newest mock and he plays down the road in Gainesville.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be wrapping up the first quarter of their 2020 season and it’s been clear that 2021 should be a year where they may need to bolster their defense over their offense. Despite that, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling had the team opening up his latest mock with three consecutive offensive players, most of which still make sense for their team.

With their first selection, Easterling had the Jags replacing one Alabama left tackle with another by slotting them Alex Leatherwood to hold down things on the blindside.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars

Alex Leatherwood | OT | Alabama

While it’s understandable for the Jags to be slotted offensive players early even with their defensive struggles, this pick may be better spent elsewhere. Simply put, it feels like the Jags have way bigger issues than left tackle. Again, that’s really the case on defense, but there are also some bigger offensive needs than at left tackle.

Sure, Robinson is coming up on a contract year and has been sporadic, but it’s possible fans could be satisfied with the offensive line play when the regular season is over. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has gotten the group to play better than we’ve seen in the past although the pass protection is still a work in progress.

As for Leatherwood, my aforementioned statements aren’t to say he’s not talented. At 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, he’s a sturdy tackle who has insane strength when he clutches on to a defender. He’s shown good movement skills, too, but his technique can get in the way and that’s likely because he’s still learning the tackle position as a former guard.

The Jags’ next pick in the first round (thanks to the Los Angeles Rams) was one many fans won’t disagree with, even with there being defensive needs.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)

Kyle Pitts | TE | Florida

The Jags have struggled to find “the guy” at tight end for much of Dave Caldwell’s tenure. Whether he’s with the Jags’ front office or not in 2021, there isn’t a tight end in college playing better than Kyle Pitts right now, who currently has six touchdowns and 227 yards on the season. In fact, he’s been playing so well that it appears he won’t be available outside of the top-10, though there is plenty of football to be played.

After going with Pitts, the Jags doubled-up on Gators, landing his quarterback Kyle Trask with the selection given to them by the Minnesota Vikings.

34. Jacksonville Jaguars (from MIN)

Kyle Trask | QB | Florida

This pick, of course, hinges on what the Jags get out of Gardner Minshew II. Right now, it’s been more good than bad from the second-year signal-caller, but something we’ve stressed at the Jags Wire is to watch how Minshew looks during the back end of the Jags’ schedule. That’s when the harder opponents will take the field against them, and some even have elite defenses like the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens.

Trask was an intriguing prospect in 2019 and has looked solid in the early stages of 2020, completing just under 72% of his passes for 684 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one pick. At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, he also offers impressive size and could intrigue a new front office that inherits good draft capital if Caldwell is fired.

With their second pick in the second-round, the Jags finally addressed the defense by selecting Pittsburgh safety Paris Ford, who would clear up a huge need.

45. Jacksonville Jaguars

Paris Ford | S | Pitt

Ford is a tenacious safety who plays with emotion and could really bring some life to the Jags secondary. Scouts like his downhill ability and skills in zone, but also feel he would be fine as a single-high safety, too. Simply put, he makes a lot of sense for the Jags because he could help them with their woes against the run and struggles in pass defense.

To round up the mock draft, the Jags were slotted yet another Gator —this time on the defensive side.

76. Jacksonville Jaguars

Marco Wilson | CB | Florida

The Jags would be reuniting Wilson with their first pick from April, CJ Henderson. He’s stronger in zone than he is in man coverage and will need some work when it comes to his jam technique, but the tools are there for a team to develop if they would like.

With Easterling’s mock offering plenty to talk about, feel free to let us know on social media how you all feel about this group of prospects. Should they have gone with more offensive picks? Was it fine? Or are these simply prospects you all at home aren’t high on?

Wisconsin T Cole Van Lanen named AP Preseason All-American

Earlier today, the Associated Press released their preseason All-American team that included players who are in conferences that have pos…

Earlier today, the Associated Press released their preseason All-American team that included players who are in conferences that have postponed fall sports. The list included Wisconsin left tackle Cole Van Lanen, who was named to the second-team alongside Samuel Cosmi from Texas. Van Lanen was beaten out for the first-team award by Penei Sewell of Oregon and Alex Leatherwood of Alabama.

This is the second preseason All-American award that Van Lanen has won after he was named as a Walter Camp first-team preseason All-American. The Green Bay, Wisc. native was also added to the watchlist for the Outland Trophy and was named in the 250 player watchlist for the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

With the postponement of the fall season, Van Lanen will likely opt to prepare for the NFL Draft instead of playing in a possible spring season. He is not alone as 23 other preseason All-Americans will not be playing football in the fall, including the first-team award winner Penei Sewell.

BREAKING: Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard top AP preseason All-America team that includes 23 who won't play this fall.

Read more from @ralphDrussoAP >> https://t.co/Mn43DjKCS1 pic.twitter.com/ReFLyXfnQS

— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) August 25, 2020

If you would like to read more from BadgersWire about Cole Van Lanen’s awards from this offseason, click here.

Nick Saban offers opinion on potentially cancelling 2020 CFB season

Alabama football HC Nick Saban spoke with ESPN to offer his thoughts on potentially cancelling the 2020 CFB season due to the pandemic.

Alabama football head coach Nick Saban joins his players and spoken out in support of having a 2020 college football season.

Amid the rumors and reports about the season potentially being cancelled, or a drastic change in the Power Five landscape for the upcoming season due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Saban has spoken out.

ESPN Senior Writer Chris Low reported on what the coach said to ESPN.

“I want to play, but I want to play for the players’ sake, the value they can create for themselves,” Saban told ESPN. “I know I’ll be criticized no matter what I say, that I don’t care about player safety. Look, players are a lot safer with us than they are running around at home. We have around a 2 percent positive ratio on our team since the Fourth of the July. It’s a lot higher than that in society. We act like these guys can’t get this unless they play football. They can get it anywhere, whether they’re in a bar or just hanging out.”

His argument is similar to those of college football players promoting the #WeWantToPlay movement. He claims that the players are safer under the care and supervision of the respective collegiate program.

If the statistics weren’t enough, the six-time national champion head coach raises a question that undermines the argument to cancel the 2020 college football season.

“We also test anybody that has symptoms and have an open testing site where they can go and get tested as many times as they want or any time they feel like they need to,” Saban said. “But our guys aren’t going to catch (the virus) on the football field. They’re going to catch it on campus. The argument then should probably be, ‘We shouldn’t be having school.’ That’s the argument. Why is it, ‘We shouldn’t be playing football?’ Why has that become the argument?”

Saban wasn’t alone in sharing his thoughts with ESPN. senior running back Najee Harris and senior offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood spoke on the topic as well.

Harris commends his head coach for how he’s reacted internally to the whirlwind of reports.

“Coach Saban listens to his players and wants to hear from us first,” Alabama senior running back Najee Harris told ESPN. “He told us that none of this is about him, but it’s about us. He wants to hear our concerns, and we made it clear that we want to play and feel like Alabama is doing everything they can to make sure we can play safely.”

Leatherwood offers criticism toward the media coverage. Claiming that only the negative side is being portrayed.

“There’s a lot of noise and bad stuff out there about playing football with the virus going on, but I haven’t really seen anything about what the players want,” Leatherwood told ESPN. “We’ve been grinding all summer, and you don’t want it to be all for nothing.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Alabama football and any college football or SEC news that becomes available.

Four Alabama linemen named to 2020 Outland Trophy Watch List

Alabama Football’s Deonte Brown, Landon Dickerson, Alex Leatherwood & LaBryan Ray were all been named to the 2020 Outland Trophy Watch list

Alabama Football’s Deonte Brown, Landon Dickerson, Alex Leatherwood and LaBryan Ray were all been named to the 2020 Outland Trophy Watch list.

Squad reppin' 💪

🗒️ » https://t.co/W641eSi2aO #BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/eGGhDfQA12

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) July 21, 2020

The Outland Trophy is an annual award since 1946 awarded to the top interior lineman in college football.

There are 85 lineman listed on the watch list for this year’s award.

There have been 5 Outland Trophy winners in Alabama Football program history:Chris Samuels in 1999, Andre Smith in 2008, Barrett Jones in 2011, Cam Robinson in 2016 and Quinnen Williams in 2018.

Here’s what Alabama has to say about each 4 of these linemen:

Deonte Brown

“Powerful offensive lineman who secured the starting role at guard last season … has worked in 35 career games with 13 starts, including the final eight games of 2019 … was part of an offensive line that ranked third nationally in sacks per game last season as the unit allowed just .92 sacks per contest … provided time for Alabama’s offense that finished second nationally in scoring, third in passing and sixth in total offense … also opened holes for the Tide’s ground game with UA’s top two backs accounting for 1,665 yards to average an impressive 5.5 yards per rush.”

Landon Dickerson

“Versatile offensive lineman who anchors one of Alabama’s most veteran units … earned a starting job along the Crimson Tide’s offensive line in 2019 … started all 13 games, including four at right guard and nine at center … graded out at nearly 88 percent at the two different positions a season ago … allowed only one sack and four quarterback hurries as a junior … missed just four assignments in 727 snaps for a 99.4 percent success rate in 2019.”

Alex Leatherwood

“Elected to return for his senior season and provides the Crimson Tide with one of the top tackle prospects in the country … has seen time in 35 career games with 28 consecutive starts dating back to 2018 … made the move back to left tackle in 2019 after earning a starting spot at right guard in 2018 … graded out at nearly 89 percent in 2019, allowing just two sacks and three quarterback hurries all season … missed only seven assignments in 752 snaps for a 99.1 percent success rate as a junior.”

LaBryan Ray

“The veteran along the Alabama defensive front … has seen time in 24 career games with four starts, three of which came in 2019 prior to a season-ending injury … registered 53 career tackles with 9.5 for loss (-41 yards) and 4.5 sacks (-34 yards) … also recorded two quarterback hurries, a pair of pass breakups and one forced fumble across his first three seasons with the Crimson Tide … accumulated nine total tackles, including 1.5 for loss (-12 yards) and a sack (-11 yards), as a junior before his season was cut short due to injury.”

The winner of the award will be announced at the 2020 ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Latest 247Sports 2021 mock draft projects 5 Alabama players in first round

247Sports’ latest 2021 NFL mock draft projects five members of the 2020 Alabama crimson tide team will be drafted in the first round.

The 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football team lost a lot of talent to the 2020 NFL draft. Without Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy Henry Ruggs III and more, which members of this upcoming season’s crew will reach national headlines as potential first round picks?

Joal Ryan of 247Sports recently released a mock draft for the 2021 draft that included five members of the 2020 Alabama team.

Here’s where Ryan projects them to land:

22. Buffalo Bills – DeVonta Smith, WR

Alabama football-DeVonta Smith — Photo Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan believes that Smith and his teammate, Jaylen Waddle are interchangeable in the first round, they are that good. This would make back-to-back drafts where Alabama has two receivers selected in the first round. Ryan also states that Bills quarterback Josh Allen would be lucky to have Smith.

Pages: 123

Alabama football countdown: 70 days until kickoff

We are only 70 days from Alabama football kicking off its season against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Alabama is set to kick off its season against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Tex.) on Sept. 5. As long as COVID-19 doesn’t alter the schedule, it will be the first time the Crimson Tide has faced USC since the dominate 52-6 win back in 2016.

With it now being June 27, that means we’re only 70 days away from football season officially being back!

After coming up just short of making its fifth-consecutive College Football Playoff experience, Alabama will look to bounce back in 2020 with a strong roster and returning coaching staff.

Senior offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, who moved back to left tackle from right guard prior to last season, is currently wearing the No. 70 for the Crimson Tide.

Alex Leatherwood-Emil Ekiyor — Alabama offensive linemen Emil Ekiyor, Jr., (55) and Alex Leatherwood (70) during first half action in the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday April 13, 2019.

2020 Alabama football schedule

Sept. 5 vs. USC (Arlington, Tex.)
Sept. 12 vs. Georgia State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Sept. 19 vs. Georgia (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Sept. 26 vs. Kent State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Oct. 3 at Ole Miss (Oxford, Miss.)
Oct. 10 at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Oct. 17 vs. Mississippi State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Oct. 24 at Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Nov. 7 at LSU (Baton Rouge, La.)
No. 14 vs. UT-Martin (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Nov. 21 vs. Texas A&M (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Nov. 28 vs. Auburn (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]