NFL Draft: 5 Alabama prospects the Falcons should consider

The 2021 NFL draft is just over a month away and the Falcons have been linked to a number of players from Alabama, the country’s premier college football program and elite producer of pro talent.

Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones were both first-round picks because of what they accomplished while playing at Alabama. Previously, I highlighted five players from the University of Georgia the Falcons should consider in this year’s draft. On my next stop, I examine five players from the University of Alabama that would make sense for Atlanta.

Bill O’Brien hired as Alabama offensive coordinator

Bill O’Brien is the offensive coordinator at Alabama, replacing Steve Sarkisian

The Houston Texans don’t have a coach. However, someone who once held that job does have a new position.

Nick Saban announced Thursday that Bill O’Brien is the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama. O’Brien replaces Steve Sarkisian, who took the head coaching job at the University of Texas.

O’Brien was fired in the 2020 NFL regular season after an 0-4 start.

Overall, O’Brien compiled a 52-48 (.520) record with four AFC South titles, four playoff appearances, and two appearances in the AFC Divisional Round with the Texans.

“We are pleased and happy to be able to add Bill O’Brien to our coaching staff,” Saban said. “He has a wealth of experience as both an offensive coordinator and head coach in the NFL and college. Bill is one of the brightest offensive minds in football, an outstanding teacher and excellent recruiter. He will strengthen our coaching staff and give our players the best possible chance to be successful.”

O’Brien, who also was a head coach at Penn State, was thrilled.

“I am honored and excited to join Coach Saban’s staff at The University of Alabama,” O’Brien said. “I have an incredible amount of admiration for the rich football tradition at this University and the success Coach Saban has had during his time in Tuscaloosa. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with some of the best football players in the country while helping to continue the success this program has enjoyed for many years.”

He spent two years leading the Nittany Lions, posting a 15-9 overall record and a 10-6 mark in the Big Ten.

It has been reported another former AFC South head coach is headed for the Crimson Tide. Former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone is reported to be in line for the offensive line coach job in Tuscaloosa.

Quinnen Williams: Nick Saban is the greatest coach ever

New York Jets DL Quinnen Williams believes his former college coach, Nick Saban, is the greatest coach of all time.

While Quinnen Williams is excited about the prospect of playing for Robert Saleh, he still has a lot of love for the coach who helped him get to the NFL.

Williams’ head coach at the University of Alabama, Nick Saban, is one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. With another National Championship recently added to Saban’s list of accomplishments, Williams considers his college coach to be the best of them all.

“I think he’s the greatest coach of all time,” Williams said, per TMZ. “Just because, man, like, his resume speaks for itself, man.”After Alabama routed Ohio State, 52-24, in last Monday’s National Championship Game, Saban now has seven championship wins at the collegiate level, the most in the history of the sport.

The Crimson Tide went to three different title games under Saban’s direction during Williams’ time in Tuscaloosa from 2016-18. While Alabama went 1-2 in those games, it had a combined record of 41-3 across those three seasons.

“He has a list of hundreds of NFL players who are either starters or big-time superstars or big-time players under his belt,” Williams said. “To do the things that he does, and to have a consistent dynasty and a consistent winning team that he has, it’s unheard of.”

Alabama fans packed the streets of Tuscaloosa to celebrate their win against Ohio State

Alabama fans packed the streets of Tuscaloosa to celebrate the Crimson Tide’s 52-24 national championship win against Ohio State.

Report: Nick Saban considering Adam Gase for Alabama OC opening

Adam Gase will be among coaches considered for the University of Alabama’s soon to be vacant offensive coordinator position.

Some helpful connections may help Adam Gase find a new job sooner rather than later.

The University of Alabama is considering Gase, along with former Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, for the team’s soon to be vacant offensive coordinator role, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. Alabama’s current OC, Steve Sarkisian, has accepted the head coach position at the University of Texas and will take over following the College Football Playoff National Championship next Monday.

Gase is a Nick Saban disciple, having worked for the head coach at two different stops. Gase began his coaching career as an undergraduate student at Michigan State, working as an assistant to the coaching staff. Gase followed Saban to LSU, where he served as a graduate assistant before becoming a defensive assistant from 2001-02.

Alabama has one of the most potent offense’s in the nation, leading the country in yards per play (7.84) and offensive touchdowns (72). As for Gase, his offense in New York left a lot to be desired. In 2020, the Jets offense ranked 32nd in yards per game, 31st in passing yards per game, 23rd in rushing yards per game and 32nd in points per game.

Chargers add playmaking wide receiver in 2021 NFL mock draft

The Los Angeles Chargers passing game would be deadly.

The Chargers’ wide receiver room looks fairly stout heading into the 2020 season. Led by Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Los Angeles has a dynamic duo. The rest of the unit is made up of Andre Patton, Jason Moore, rookies K.J. Hill and Joe Reed.

But the continuity with the team’s top wideouts remains to be seen. Allen’s contract expires after the season, and Williams is slated to become a free agent the year after. As for the rest of the group, they have yet to prove themselves.

That is why Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox sent Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle to L.A. in his latest 2021 NFL mock draft, giving quarterback Justin Herbert a valuable weapon.

Wow. @AlabamaFTBL's Jaylen Waddle hit 21.88 mph. Tyreek Hill's top ball carrying speed this year is 21.95. #lookout pic.twitter.com/XICpb84aDE

— Logic Sports (@LogicSports3) November 25, 2018

Overshadowed by Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy, Waddle finished with 45 catches for 848 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. He followed that up with 33 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns this past season.

Waddle is also a dangerous return man as he led the FBS with a 24.4-yard average on punt returns in 2019 and earned SEC special teams player of the year honors, along with adding three career special teams touchdowns.

Waddle would give the Chargers offense something that they have not had in awhile, which is a pass-catcher with elite phone booth quicks and legitimate breakaway speed.

Los Angeles has an outstanding defense, but their offense still needs some pieces in order to be successful for years to come, which is why they could benefit from giving their young signal-caller more premiere options to distribute the wealth to.

C.J. Mosley expects big sophomore year from Quinnen Williams

Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley expects big things from his fellow University of Alabama alum, Quinnen Williams, in 2020.

While Quinnen Williams didn’t enjoy the rookie success that’s expected from the No. 3 overall pick, the Jets aren’t giving up on him and his potential. Neither is fellow University of Alabama alum C.J. Mosley.

When asked by reporters during a video conference on Wedneday who he thought could be a potential breakout player in 2020, Mosley didn’t hesitate when he name-dropped Williams.

“He fought through injuries early, so he missed a few games,” Mosley said. “But if you look back at his career at Alabama, he didn’t play a lot, so I think he still has a lot of raw talent in him. I think the more he learns, the more experience he gets on the field is going to make him that much better. … Just those little things is going to help him as he gets older. You’re not just going to learn it right off the bat.”

Mosley, no stranger to battling injuries himself in 2019, can empathize with Williams, who missed three of the first four games due to ankle and neck injuries. Battling through those injuries, Williams’ rookie season was marred with inconsistent play. In 13 games, he recorded just 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

While Williams didn’t exceed the expectations that were placed on him as a rookie, he still showed flashes of brilliance in 2019. At just 22 years old, it would be unfair to already write off Williams. He has just 13 career games to his name and, as Mosley noted, with experience should come more success.

It’s expected that Williams will be the Jets’ starting left defesnive end in Gregg Williams’ 3-4 scheme. While he should see an uptick in the 46 percent of defensive snaps he saw as a rookie, he still has ongoing legal ramifications that could affect his playing time right off the bat. Back in March, Williams was arrested at LaGuardia Airport in New York and was charged with illegal possession of a handgun after trying to board a flight with a Glock 19 on his person.

Right now, the coronavirus pandemic has prevented Willaims from having his day in court. After an original delay, Williams was looking at a late-June court date at the earliest. Since then, there has no update. Williams is also subjected to a possible punishment under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

4 things to know about Jets undrafted free agent DB Shyheim Carter

Here are four things to know about Jets undrafted free agent DB Shyheim Carter, who played his college football at Alabama.

Shyheim Carter has always been versatile. Between playing on both sides of the football in high school and playing every position in the secondary for Alabama, Carter has excelled thanks to his football I.Q. and his all-around play.

And yet, he wasn’t viewed as a surefire NFL prospect. Not having a pro day certainly hurt Carter, but he signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent. The hope now is that Gregg Williams can make something out of the adaptable Carter.

Let’s get to know Carter a bit better with some things to know about the undrafted free agent out of Alabama.

Spurning LSU for Alabama

Shyheim Carter became an Alabama fan-favorite before ever stepping on the field for the Crimson Tide.

Adding fuel to an already intense college football rivalry, Carter made headlines during the recruiting process, saying that he did not like his home state team, LSU. He never gave the school any thought and they weren’t even in his final three.

“I just don’t like ’em,” Carter told SEC Country’s Alex Martin Smith when asked about LSU. “There’s something about ‘em I just don’t like. I mean, LSU’s a great school, phenomenal school, but it’s just something personal I don’t like about ‘em.”

Pages: 1234

Jets pick Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy in Todd McShay’s post-combine mock

Jets opt for Jerry Jeudy over Andrew Thomas in Todd McShay’s post-combine mock draft.

With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine behind us, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay released his latest mock draft on Tuesday.

With Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills Jr. off the board, McShay has the Jets addressing their need at wide receiver with their first-round pick, selecting Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy over Georgia’s Andrew Thomas.

Here’s McShay’s explanation for the pick:

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Jets go offensive line here. But rather than reaching here after those three tackles went off the board, let’s get Sam Darnold someone to throw to — especially since Robby Anderson might suit up elsewhere in 2020. Jeudy is a masterful route runner and tracks the deep ball extremely well. He’d be an instant target for Darnold in a passing game that was one of four to average fewer than 200 yards and score fewer than 20 touchdowns last season.

McShay, who knows Douglas from when the two were teammates at the University of Richmond, hints that offensive line could very well be the pick here. Many continue to believe and would be surprised if the Jets go any other route than offensive tackle.

McShay is a lot lower on Thomas than other draft analysts and pundits. He believes that after Becton, Wirfs, Wills, Josh Jones and Austin Jackson, there is a “big, big dropoff,” noticeably leaving off Thomas. However, he appears to be alone on that front. Thomas only helped himself with his combine performance and presumably would be the Jets’ choice with the 11th pick in this scenario.

As for Jeudy, he is universally viewed as the best wideout in this year’s draft class. In 2019. Jeudy was among the top receivers in the country, starting all 13 games and leading the University of Alabama with 77 receptions for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns to repeat as a first-team all-conference pick.

In Jeudy, the Jets would be getting a unique talent who can aid Sam Darnold’s development right away. He’s a route-running technician who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Between his ball tracking ability and breakaway speed, the Jets would be getting an immediate lift at the receiver position.

2020 NFL draft: Jets take No. 1 WR with first pick in USA Today’s latest mock

In USA Today’s post-national championship mock draft, they have the Jets selecting Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy with the No. 11 overall pick.

With the college football season over after Monday’s championship, mock draft season is in full swing. With the order set for 28 of 32 NFL teams, USA Today released a post-College Football Playoff mock draft.

Fans of NFL teams that are deprived of talent can view the draft as a measure to improve their team’s homegrown talent as well as providing hope for the future. As for Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas, his work is cut out for him when it comes to improving Gang Green’s roster.

Douglas gets to make his first draft choice as the head honcho of the Jets’ scouting department come late April. With the No. 11 overall pick, USA Today has the Jets taking Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.

Here’s the explanation for the pick:

With the top three offensive tackles off the board at this point, Gang Green might need to take an alternate route to provide relief for Sam Darnold. Getting a true No. 1 target in the savvy and reliable Jeudy might allow Darnold to make quicker —and better—decisions.

With few linemen suitable at No. 11, the Jets get a potential top wideout. In this mock, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr., Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs are all off the board before the Jets make their selection.

Instead of pressing the panic button and reaching for an offensive tackle like Louisville’s Mekhi Becton or Houston’s Josh Jones, Douglas stays put and takes the best player remaining on the Jets’ draft board.

Jeudy would immediately become the No. 1 WR that the Jets have been lacking. At No. 11, New York would be getting one of the best prospects in the country.

The Alabama product is a route running technician. Jeduy is one of the quickest players in the nation and has elite footwork and an innate ability to create separation at the point of attack. In Alabama’s spread offense, Jeudy lined up as both an outside WR and in the slot.

In Jeudy, the Jets would be getting a unique talent who can aid Sam Darnold’s development right away. Every time he touches the ball, he’s a touchdown waiting to happen. Between his ball tracking skills, breakaway speed and catch awareness, the Jets would be getting the full package at wide receiver.