Draft Wire’s latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft predicts seven Alabama players will be selected in the first round.
It’s never too early to start looking at mock drafts, especially when the 2020 Alabama football team is loaded with potential early-round talent.
USA Today’s Draft Wire posted their latest mock draft for the 2021 NFL draft and it predicts seven Alabama players will be drafted in the first round.
Here’s where those players are projected to land:
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Najee Harris
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The Alabama running back could possibly join an offense that currently houses elite talent including Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Mike Evans. Tampa’s expected starting running back for 2020 is Ronald Jones II. Their backfield definitely needs the addition of someone special, like Harris, in order to help the passing game.
23. Green Bay Packers – Jaylen Waddle
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Waddle is a player that is set to be a serious offensive leader for the 2020 college football season. His speed, elusiveness and incredible route running abilities could make him a star in his rookie season. The Packers seem to be moving away from Aaron Rodgers and toward the Jordan Love Era. Will Jaylen Waddle be Love’s first offensive addition through the draft?
Alabama is looking to make it back to the College Football Playoff in 2020. These 10 players will be crucial factors in that quest.
Alabama is fresh off its first season without making the College Football Playoff since its creation prior to 2014. In order to make it back and, once again, compete for a national championship in 2020, the Crimson Tide is going to need several players to step up.
Below is a collective list of 10 of those players who will be heavily relied on this upcoming season, and it’s likely that those included will be deciding factors in determining just how good — or how bad — Alabama will be.
First up, a second-year safety…
1. Jordan Battle, Safety
South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski (3) throws the ball as he is tackled by Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday September 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser
Jordan Battle is the only safety on the roster with starting experience after earning four starts as a true freshman in 2020. Now, he’ll be relied on as one of the leaders on defense while becoming more of a consistent playmaking presence.
Is he Alabama’s next big-time safety prospect? Absolutely.
Redshirt sophomore DL Christian Barmore is the next man up on Alabama football’s player snapshot, which highlights each scholarship player.
As we continue through the offseason, Roll Tide Wire has decided to bring fans a quick snapshot of each scholarship player listed on Alabama’s 2020 football roster.
Each day, we’ll release two player profiles giving fans a glimpse into the players who will be available this upcoming season. Whether that’s size, classification, hometowns or recruiting rankings coming out of high school, we’ve got you covered.
Also included in each article is a quick recap letting you know what to expect from that player for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.
Next up on the list is redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Christian Barmore out of Philadelphia (Pa.).
Christian Barmore, Defensive Lineman
Nov 23, 2019; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Christian Barmore (58) sacks Western Carolina Catamounts quarterback Tyrie Adams (12) during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Analysis: Christian Barmore is expected to be one of the Crimson Tide’s biggest breakout stars in 2020 after a successful redshirt freshman season in 2019. His role was mostly confined to being part of the rotation along the defensive line, although he did start one game against Western Carolina.
On the season, Barmore finished with 26 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 5 quarterback pressures and two pass deflections.
One area that the Philadelphia native will need to improve is with his consistency doing his job on a down-to-down basis, as Barmore always seemed to want to make the play. And while that mentality definitely helped him earn a larger role as the season progressed, it also may be something that holds him back if he can’t learn that he doesn’t have to make every play.
The size, strength, motor and natural ability to put pressure on the quarterback should help him continue to emerge as one of the SEC’s — and possibly the nation’s — top interior pass-rushers this upcoming season.
According to the latest mock draft by CBS Sports, there are 6 Alabama platers being predicted to be drafted in the first round.
The 2020 college football season may not have even started but conversations regarding the 2021 NFL Draft have been happening since the 2020 NFL Draft ended. According to the latest mock draft by CBS Sports, there are 6 Alabama platers being predicted to be drafted in the first round.
This past draft, Alabama had four players drafted in the first round. Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa was drafted by Miami as the fifth pick, Jedrick Wills Jr. was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the 10th pick, Henry Ruggs III was drafted as the 12th pick by the Las Vegas Raiders and Jerry Jeudy was the last Alabama player taken off the board in the first round as the 15th pick to the Denver Broncos.
Could Alabama beat that next year and have six players drafted in the first round? Time will tell, but let’s see which six players CBS Sports has being drafted, and where:
9. Miami Dolphins — WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) breaks free for a touchdown against Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas on Saturday October 12, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser
“Smith was overshadowed a bit by Alabama’s first-round receivers. With a larger platform this season, there will be no denying his talent. Smith should cement himself as a first-round talent.”
Just imagine: Devonta Smith and Tua Tagovailoa on the same team again. That would be INCREDIBLE to witness in the NFL. Last season, Smith was splitting reps with Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy, both of which were first-round draft picks. Even while splitting reps with Jeudy and Ruggs, Smith still recorded an impressive 68 receptions for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns, one of which sparked a second-half comeback against the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl. This season will be Smith’s best. Just wait.
Clint Lamb and Brett Hudson finish up the spring position breakdown series for the Alabama Crimson Tide with the defensive line.
Clint Lamb and Brett Hudson finish up the spring position breakdown series for the Alabama Crimson Tide with the defensive line. How good can the group be? Will Christian Barmore become a full-time wrecking ball? Is this the deepest position on the roster? All those questions answered and more!
