Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) runs toward Oklahoma Sooners ball carrier during the second half of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight the annual NFL Draft happens live from New York City, and for the fifth straight year two or more Alabama players are expected to go in the first round. Those first round possibilities aren’t the only Crimson Tide players expected to be drafted over the next three days, however. Let’s take a look at all of the draft possibilities in crimson.
Ha’Sean “HaHa” Clinton-Dix, FS
HaHa Clinton-Dix is considered the top safety in this year’s draft and will likely join Mark Barron as yet another Alabama safety drafted in the first round. Both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay of ESPN have Dix ranked as the top safety in the draft and both have him going in the first round of the draft. Kiper has predicted the St. Louis Rams picking him at #13, while McShay has predicted the Chicago Bears at #14 to take him.
CJ Mosley, ILB
The leader of the Alabama defense CJ Mosley is considered one of the top linebackers in the draft, and the top inside linebacker. Kiper has Mosley as the #1 ranked inside linebacker, calling him “easily the top guy on the list.” Kiper has predicted that the Miami Dolphins will select him at #19 and McShay thinks the Green Bay Packers take him at #21.
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT
Before the 2013 season Kouandjio was considered as almost a lock as a first-round selection, but after poor workouts and some health concerns Kouandjio may have actually fallen completely out of the first round. Kiper has him listed as the #5 offensive tackle in the draft behind Auburn’s Greg Robinson, Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews, Michigan’s Taylor Lewin, and Notre Dame’s Zack Martin. Still Kiper has predicted that the Carolina Panthers will take him at the end of the first round at #28 in one of his drafts though not the most recent. McShay doesn’t have him going in the first.
AJ McCarron, QB
The record-breaking, national championship-winning, All-American AJ McCarron has not been able to shake his “game manager” label, though he has said that teams have told him that they have him ranked at #1. Jon Gruden agrees with that assessment. Still, Mel Kiper has him ranked as the #6 QB in the draft behind Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Central Florida’s Blake Bortles, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, Fresno State’s Derek Carr, and even Eastern Illinois’ Jimmy Garoppolo. Still Kiper has predicted that the Arizona Cardinals will select McCarron in the second round at #52 overall.
Adrian Hubbard, OLB/DE
The top pass rusher of the Alabama defense for the past two years Hubbard is ranked in the top 10 outside linebackers by Kiper. NFL.com has him projected as a 3rd or 4th round selection, while draft website draftcountdown.com has him ranked as the #11 OLB in the draft.
Anthony Steen, OG
Over the past three or so years Steen was one of the most consistent players across the Alabama offensive line. An All-American in 2013, Steen is ranked as the #11 guard by draftcountdown and NFL.com has projected him as a 4th or 5th round selection citing his size as a problem for him.
Kevin Norwood, WR
There was no receiver more dependable over the years for AJ McCarron, making clutch catch after clutch catch. He hopes to become a clutch receiver in the NFL, but is ranked the #23 receiver in the class by draftcountdown.com. NFL.com has him projected as a 3rd or 4th round selection, though his stock has begun to rise over the past month or so due to his strong workouts for teams.
Ed Stinson, DE
One of the most underrated members of the Alabama defense in recent years, Stinson has never missed a game nor a practice in his career, according to Nick Saban. His bullish strength has him rated as a 3rd or 4th round projection by NFL.com, though their experts have said of him, “Very impressive strength and power. Can play anywhere along a “30” front. An underrated cog in a defense, Stinson could play a long time in the league and might never receive his due outside the building.” Draftcountdown.com has him ranked as the #11 defensive end in the class.
Jeoffrey Pagan, DE
As with Stinson, NFL.com has him projected as a 3rd or 4th round selection while draftcountdown.com has him as the #21 defensive end in the class. Pagan was a bit of a surprise as he declared early for the draft, but will likely get a chance to prove himself in the NFL.
Vinnie Sunseri, SS
The most surprising early jump to the draft of all the Alabama players, Sunseri is projected as a sixth or seventh round selection while draftcountdown.com has him ranked as the #15 safety in the draft. He is coming off of a serious knee injury but he is an excellent special teams player, which is where he will likely be able to make a team early.
Deion Belue, CB
A two-year starter at Alabama Belue is the #29 ranked cornerback by draftcountdown.com and is projected as a 7th round or undrafted player by NFL.com. Belue has battled a lot of injuries at Alabama and will likely have to be a solid special teams player to make a team.
Cody Mandell, P
Mandell improved every single year at Alabama and became one of the best punters in the country his senior year. Still, Mel Kiper has him ranked as the #6 punter in the draft and draftcountdown has him #4. NFL.com has him projected as a seventh round selection or undrafted. He will still likely make a team and could end up doing in the NFL exactly what he did at Alabama, working his way to being a top punter for a team.
The NFL Draft starts at 7:00 (central) with only the first round being shown. Tomorrow the 2nd and 3rd round will be shown on both ESPN (6:00-7:00 PM) and ESPN2 (7:30-10:30 PM) with the rest of the draft happening Saturday from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM on ESPN. The NFL Network will also be showing the draft at the same times as well.