Heading into the pre-draft process, Alabama's long NFL Draft streak appeared to be in jeopardy.
For 17 consecutive NFL Drafts - all the way back to 2009 - Alabama has had at least one player selected in the first round. For the 2026 class, QB Ty Simpson and OT Kadyn Proctor are the Crimson Tide's best bets, and both came to Indianapolis at the Combine as fringe-first round picks.
Both had a lot of work to do in front of scouts to solidify their standing on day one of the NFL Draft. They both left Indianapolis feeling pretty good about their chances and have lessened the worry of Alabama's draft streak coming to an end.
Ty Simpson and Kadyn Proctor feel locked into the first round after strong NFL Combine performances
Simpson was one of the stars of the combine. He impressed, as expected, during the interview process. He displayed the football acumen that is his greatest asset. But scouts needed to see him perform well during his throwing session on Saturday.
And he did. Simpson showed he could make all the throws while displaying excellent footwork. The former Alabama signal-caller seems like a lock to be the draft's QB2 behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, and after his performance, it's difficult to see him falling out of the first round now.
There are a lot of QB-needy teams in the draft, and with Mendoza widely expected to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, Simpson could go a LOT higher than many thought, potentially sneaking into the Top 10.
As for Proctor, he showed up to the Combine slimmed down to 352 pounds after playing the majority of his Alabama career at 370+. He displayed his rare athletic ability with an insane 32.5-inch vertical leap, which is believed to be the highest vertical ever recorded at the combine for a player who weighed over 350 pounds.
The former Alabama left tackle showed a willingness to move inside to guard if asked by an NFL franchise, which makes him even more desirable due to his versatility. Proctor could be a plug-and-play starter at guard for a team while he preps to eventually kick outside to tackle.
Proctor had some inconsistent tape during his three seasons manning the Crimson Tide's blindside, but his athleticism and raw physical tools will make him well worth the first-round pick investment, especially in the second-half of the opening round.