For the last couple of weeks, the Bama Hammer staff has been making our predictions for former Tide players and certain NFL teams. All those posts are linked below. This post tries to tie those carefully researched opinions together into something close to a consensus.
The first round is laid out with exact picks. Rounds two through seven are assigned to other former Crimson Tide players, without designating a specific team.
- Tua Tagovailoa – Ignoring the craziness about Tua, either the Dolphins at No. 5 or the Chargers at No. 6 take Tua. If that does not happen, the Jaguars cannot pass on him at No. 9
- Jedrick Wills – Wills or Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs will be the first tackle chosen. Look for Wills at No, 4 to the Giants or No. 8 to the Cardinals or No. 10 to the Browns.
- Jerry Jeudy – There has been buzz of trading up to get Jeudy. If that does not happen, he should go No. 11 to the Jets, No. 12 to the Raiders or No. 13 to the 49ers.
- Henry Ruggs III – Ruggs will be in the same area as Jeudy or perhaps falling to No. 15 and the Broncos. It has been rumored some teams are concerned about his route-running. Given he can out-run nearly every other NFL player, a need to polish route-running should not be an issue.
- Xavier McKinney – Recognized as the top safety in the draft, the Cowboys at No. 17 look probable. If the ‘Boys’ opt to fill another need with a cornerback or edge rusher, the Dolphins are a possibility at No. 18, as are the Jaguars at No. 20 and the Dolphins again at No. 26.
- Trevon Diggs – There could be as many as 8-10 cornerbacks taken in the first round. Cornerback is the most needed position for up to eight teams. It is hard to identify eight corners with more NFL potential than Diggs. The Jags at No. 19 are a possibility, the Vikings at No. 22, the 49ers at No. 31 and the Chiefs at No. 32