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Alabama Football: Two Reasons 2018 NFL Mock Drafts are important

By Ronald Evans

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) reacts after winning the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) reacts after winning the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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2018 NFL Mock Drafts have several Alabama football players projected in the first round. Learn what 2017 Tide opponents have top picks as well.

Why would an Alabama football fan pay any attention to “Way Too Early” NFL Mock Drafts? If you follow recruiting carefully, you need to know what Tide underclassmen are likely to be NFL early draft entries.

Knowing the draft prospects of 2017 opponents is also a good way to measure the challenge in playing those teams. Plus it is fun knowing how highly the 2017 Tide players are rated.

Three respected 2018 Mock Draft sources are used for this post.

cbssports.com; si.com; and walterfootball.com

From these three sources, seven 2017 Alabama football players are projected as 2018 first round picks.

CBS Sports

  • No. 5 Pick – Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • No. 25 Pick – Ronnie Harrison
  • No. 26 Pick – Da’Ron Payne
  • No. 32 Pick – Anthony Averett

Sports Illustrated

  • No. 5 Pick – Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • No. 11 Pick – Calvin Ridley
  • No. 16 Pick – Da’Shawn Hand
  • No. 24 Pick – Ronnie Harrison

Walter Football

  • No. 8 Pick – Calvin Ridley
  • No. 13 Pick – Minkah Fitzpatrick
  • No. 30 Pick: Bo Scarbrough

Here is a breakdown of projected first round 2018 draft picks for each 2017 Tide opponent.

Florida State

  •  Derwin James – Safety – projected as No. 4; No. 8 and No. 15
  • Tavarres McFadden – CB – projected as No. 9; No. 13 and No. 25

LSU

  • Arden Key – LB, DE – projected No. 3; No. 4 and No. 4
  • Derrius Guice – RB – projected No. 13; No. 22 and No. 29

Texas A&M

  • Christian Kirk – WR, KR – projected No. 6; No. 14 and No. 27
  • Armani Watts – S – projected at No. 31 and No. 32

Mississippi State

  • Martinas Rankin – OT – projected No. 21 (by Walter Football and SI)

Auburn

  • Jarrett Stidham – QB – projected No. 19 by Walter Football

Stidham is a 2017 redshirt sophomore and will eligible for the 2018 NFL Draft.

We have two takeaways from the “Way Too Early” information. Alabama football has another tough schedule in 2017. While teams win games rather than a few elite players, the disparity in elite player numbers is noteworthy.

In the data we evaluated, Alabama has seven 2017 players projected as 2018 first round picks. Five Alabama football opponents have a total of eight players. Seven 2017 Alabama football opponents have zero projected 2018 first round picks.

Next: 5 Best SEC Quarterbacks not named Jalen Hurts

There are more NFL Draft analysts than there are total members of SEC football staffs. Somehow, most of them are gainfully employed. The sources used for this post are solid but don’t be surprised to read about other players, chosen by other sources.

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