LB – Syndication Server

Alabama’s LB unit ranks top-10 in college football for 2024

Alabama’s linebackers makeup a unit that ranks inside the top 10 in all of college football!

The Alabama Crimson Tide football roster is loaded with talent for the upcoming 2024 season. By having a team full of high-quality players, head coach Kalen DeBoer should have an easy transition as he enters his first season with the program after spending the last two years with the Washington Huskies.

DeBoer is known as an offensive mastermind, so plenty of focus has appropriately been on starting quarterback Jalen Milroe and the rest of the Crimson Tide offense. However, some fans wonder how the Alabama defense will perform without legendary head coach Nick Saban, who worked closely with the team’s defense.

It will be interesting to see how the defense performs, but if there’s one thing Alabama doesn’t have, it’s a lack of talent. A recent ranking by Pro Football Focus of the top-10 linebacker units in all of college football for the upcoming 2024 season has the Crimson Tide linebackers ranked No. 6 in the nation.

“Alabama brings back both starting linebackers from a year ago in Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell. Lawson ranked seventh among FBS linebackers last year with an 88.1 pass-rushing grade. Campbell finished ninth in the SEC with 0.57 yards allowed per coverage snap.

“Jeremiah Alexander is also expected to move from edge defender to an off-ball role this year. The redshirt sophomore was a top-15 overall recruit in the class of 2022.”

As mentioned by Pro Football Focus, the linebackers who are expected to serve in key contributor roles are all returning players. The experience they have will be a big factor in the success of the unit and the defense as a whole.

Linebackers are tasked with various responsibilities and are viewed as some of the most versatile playmakers on the defensive side of the game. For the Crimson Tide to have an overall unit ranked No. 6 in the country, Alabama fans should not be too worried about how the team will perform when Milroe and the offense is off the field.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news 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.

20 best players available for Ravens on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft

Day One of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, and it was a historic night. Six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks, and 23 offensive players were selected, the most ever. Baltimore was able to land one of the top cornerbacks on the …

Day One of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, and it was a historic night. Six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks, and 23 offensive players were selected, the most ever.

Baltimore was able to land one of the top cornerbacks on the board without trading up.

Rounds two and three will play out on Friday night, and the Eagles will have two picks in Round 2 and none in Round 3.

Here is our list of the best players on the board during day two of the NFL draft.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-round post-NFL Combine predictions for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are retooling and we’ve unveiled are fourth Eagles Wire 2024 NFL Mock draft of the offseason and after the scouting combine

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is a wrap, and the results could significantly impact what happens when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around at the end of next month.

Like every team in the league, the Philadelphia Eagles closely watched this week’s action at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as they lock in their draft board.

Philadelphia currently set to have six selections in this year’s draft, and are also projected to receive four compensatory selections, which would give them ten altogether.

Here’s an updated look at how all seven rounds could turn out for the Eagles via the PFF Mock Draft simulator.

1 pending free agent the Eagles could target from each NFC team

We’re looking at one pending free agent from each NFC team that the Philadelphia Eagles could target

Free agency is about two weeks away, and the Philadelphia Eagles have several players set to hit the open market. General manager Howie Roseman has to make critical decisions to fill roster holes.

While Roseman will likely look to the free agent market for answers, several in-house free agents are candidates to sign an extension ahead of free agency.

The Birds are set to have 20 pending free agents, and with another likely retool schedule on defense, the organization could conjure up a scheme for more flexibility.

According to Over the Cap’s potential transaction chart, the Eagles can easily create $35.4 million in cap space by making these five moves.

With the new league year fast approaching, we’re looking at one pending free agent from each NFC team that could interest Philadelphia.

Two Alabama starters are expected to be top 2024 NFL draft prospects

A few Alabama football stars are expected to be the top prospects at their position for the 2024 NFL Draft class.

One of the ways Alabama football is preparing for the 2023 college football season is by focusing on replacing the impact players from last season that are no longer with the program. Some of the players that are expected to step up include edge rusher Dallas Turner and defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Both Turner and McKinstry were recently chosen as possible top prospects at their respective positions for the distant 2024 NFL draft

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller shared his picks for the top draft-eligible players at every position.

For edge rushers, it was between Turner and Jared Verse of Florida State. In the end, Miller chose Turner.

“The edge rusher debate is a tale of two stories: potential vs. known product. First, we have Turner, a five-star recruit out of high school who has started just 10 games on a loaded Alabama team. But in that time, he has produced 12.5 sacks and 60 pressures, and scouts and coaches believe the best is still to come, once he takes over Will Anderson Jr.’s place in the lineup. I really like his first-step quickness.”

Miller also quoted one NFL scouting director, who reportedly said that Turner will get some player comparisons to former Penn State standout, Micah Parsons.

As for cornerback, Miller chose McKinstry over Penn State’s Kalen King.

“McKinstry doesn’t just have the best nickname in college football — he might also be the best cover man in the sport. In 2022, he one-upped King by allowing a QBR of 13.2 — ninth in the nation among DBs who saw at least 50 targets. He hauled in one interception and broke up 14 passes. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he has the length that teams love to go along with topflight speed.”

Furthermore, One AFC scout reportedly said “McKinstry is the dude.”

Both Turner and McKinstry are expected to have strong seasons, which is not only necessary to help their expected draft profiles, but Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will need their talents and leadership to win.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2023 offseason begins to wind down.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

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 AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

NFL supplemental draft returns in 2023: A look at the Eagles’ history

The NFL’s Supplemental Draft is back for the first time since 2019 after the league granted eligibility for Purdue receiver Milton Wright. In 2021, he caught 57 passes for 732 yards and seven touchdowns for the Boilermakers.

Wright was ruled academically ineligible for the 2022 college football season and left Purdue last May.

The Supplemental Draft is for draft-eligible players who didn’t enter the selection process but cannot return to college football the same year.

There have been 46 players selected in the National Football League supplemental draft since its inception in 1977.

The supplemental draft was created in 1977 for players whose circumstances affected their eligibility and who did not enter the NFL draft during the spring.

Three players in the 1984 supplemental draft entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Steve Young, Gary Zimmerman, and Reggie White.

Predicting the Eagles’ 16-player practice squad for 2023 after OTAs

We’re taking an early look at predicting the Philadelphia Eagles 16-man practice squad after OTAs and ahead of training camp

The Eagles have concluded OTAs, and they’ll break until late July and then report for training camp as they work to shred a 90-man roster down to 53.

Howie Roseman has been open about building the roster with undrafted free agents, and the 2023 class had several big-named stars holding second-day draft grades.

Philadelphia officially welcomed seven new members to their roster with their 2023 NFL draft class, and the wealth of young talent signed to the training camp roster won’t be reduced to just that group of players.

One week after the draft, the team announced the signings of 9 undrafted rookies ahead of the minicamp.

Recent undrafted free agents who’ve had game action with Philadelphia include Reed Blankenship, Britain Covey, Josh Jobe, Corey Clement, Sua Opeta, Nate Herbig, Kayode Awosika, Joe Ostman, Jack Stoll, Brett Toth, Greg Ward, Marvin Wilson, T.J. Edwards, and future Hall of Famer Jason Peters, who originally signed with the Bills.

We previously released our updated 53-man roster predictions, and with training camp fast approaching, we’re predicting Philadelphia’s 16-man practice.

18 former Eagles to play against Philadelphia in 2023

We’re looking at the 18 former Eagles who’ll play against Phladelphia during the 2023 NFL regular season

The Eagles have the NFL’s most challenging schedule, and they’ll have several high-profile matchups against players that had success in the midnight green.

The NFL schedule construction is a unique process that’s become even more complex thanks to increased parity, spread-out star power, and several dominant teams vying for a Super Bowl every year.

After winning the NFC East, Philadelphia will play the first-place teams in the other three NFC divisions and the Chiefs and Bills.

Based on last year’s standings, the Eagles’ 17-game gauntlet features the league’s most formidable strength of schedule (.566 win percentage).

With training camp fast approaching, here are 18 former Eagles who’ll face off against Philadelphia.

Highlights of the Eagles 9 undrafted free agents

We’re collegiate highlights of the Philadelphia Eagles’ nine undrafted free agents.

The 2023 NFL draft has concluded, and after some key signings and tryout invites, the Eagles roster sits at 89 players ahead of Day 2 of the team’s rookie minicamp.

Howie Roseman has been open about previous undrafted free agent classes, with several big-named stars holding second-day draft grades.

Here are highlights of the nine undrafted free agents.

What’s next for the Eagles following the 2023 NFL draft

What’s next for the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL draft is in the books, but plenty of offseason action is still on the way for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Outside of the on-field action with rookie minicamp and organized team activities (OTAs), the NFL is also gearing up for its 2023 schedule release.

The Eagles welcomed seven newly drafted rookies to the roster, including defensive tackle Jalen Carter, edge rusher Nolan Smith, offensive guard Tyler Steen, safety Sydney Brown, cornerback Kelee Ringo, quarterback Tanner McKee and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo.

Philadelphia also signed nine undrafted free agents.

Here’s a look at the Eagles’ upcoming 2023 off-season slate, including rookie minicamp, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp.