Alabama Football: Top 30 NFL Draft prospects of the Nick Saban Era

Alabama football’s top 30 NFL Draft prospects: 6-4

6. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver

Amari Cooper filled in the footsteps of Julio Jones, a tough task for anyone. Although his play style was very different, Cooper had enough success to become a Heisman finalist. He could use his routes and speed to catch almost any deep ball behind the defense. That was his skill. Somehow, he would beat every corner and safety to the end zone on a go route by at least two seconds. The Oakland Raiders saw something in Cooper and drafted him fourth overall. He was good with the Raiders, but I wouldn’t call him great. The scheme fit wasn’t perfect, and he had to deal with multiple head coaches. He was a resurgence in his NFL career after being traded to the Cowboys, and he was just signed to one of the highest-paying NFL contracts for a wide receiver in history. It’s safe to say that he’s doing very well.

5. Trent Richardson, Running Back

Richardson went third overall in his draft. Do you know how confident an NFL team has to be in your success for you to go that early? Zeke Elliot didn’t even go that early. Richardson was supposed to be everything the Cleveland Browns needed to turn the franchise around, but he was having a below-average career. He was then traded to the Colts, and this is where his career took a nose dive. He played in a couple of other leagues, but he remains one of the biggest NFL draft busts of all-time.

4. Marcel Dareus, Defensive End

Dareus was a mauler for Alabama football, and he has had a quality NFL career. He didn’t turn out to be the all-time great like many expected, but he has made plenty of money from multiple teams. He’s still in the league, but he has never been a top-tier defensive linemen.