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Tide Football: Grading the Alabama NFL Draft Prospects

By Kevin Brooks

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as the Tennessee Titans make their pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as the Tennessee Titans make their pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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All seven of these superstars are potential first-round Alabama NFL Draft selections. Which one will be the cream of this year’s crop?

Every good coach knows that if you want championships, you must have quality players. And there is no better coach in America at spotting Alabama NFL Draft-quality football talent than Nick Saban.

When Coach Saban stepped off that private jet in Tuscaloosa in 2007, Alabama recruiting was sub-par to put it mildly. Coming off of the probation era with lackluster on-the-field performances, most elite football players chose other universities to continue their football careers. The only elite players that came to Alabama during the probation era were players that wanted to wear Crimson, and there weren’t enough to go around to win titles.

Nationwide recruiting sites and Crimson Tide fans salivated at the thought of all the talent were going to flock to Alabama. Four national titles and numerous first- and second-round NFL Draft picks later, the proof is in the pudding.

The 2017 NFL  Draft is soon to come, and here is an analysis of Alabama’s premier NFL prospects fresh out of the Nick Saban NFL football factory.

Alabama NFL Draft Prospect No. 7: TE O.J. Howard

Alabama NFL Draft
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs the ball against Clemson Tigers safety T.J. Green (15) during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

If you were to Google image search “tight end”, this prospect’s photo should be next to the definition.

This towering 6-foot-6, 251-pound Prattville native who has arms the size of some men’s legs quickly established himself as a dominant tight end from day one – earning the right to play as a freshman with a respectful 14 catches for 269 yards. In 2015, Howard finished the season with 38 catches for 602 yards.

One main reason Howard earned playing time and has kept it for four years is because he is a dynamic blocking tight end. If you are in need of a stud high-end tight end with blocking abilities and who can catch some clutch passes in tight games, I’d sign this guy.

Howard’s best NFL fit is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jameis Winston needs all the help he can get.

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