Alabama Football: A different way for Tide fans to consider NFL Draft

There are some Alabama Football fans who don’t have a favorite NFL team or they have a few favorites chosen by how many former Tide players are on a roster. Even the majority of Alabama football fans who do root for a certain NFL team, also root for other teams in games because of particular former Crimson Tide players.

Alabama Crimson Tide fans are glad when Derrick Henry, Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Josh Jacobs, Calvin Ridley, and dozens of other former Tide stars do well.

In the group that roots more for Alabama players rather than certain NFL teams, the NFL Draft can be approached differently. Instead of rooting for a certain team to choose a certain Alabama player, with a certain pick – think how high the Crimson Tide 2021 NFL Draft class could do as a group. In effect, it is looking at the NFL Draft through Crimson glasses.

Looking at the widely circulated needs of each NFL team, each Alabama player can be viewed by the range of NFL teams needing their skills. For example, as many as five to seven teams have the need for a first-round quarterback. Since Trevor Lawrence is locked in as the first selection, that leaves five or six teams for Mac Jones. Mac could be chosen at No. 2 to the Jets, No. 3 to the 49ers, No. 8 to the Panthers, No. 9 to the Broncos, No. 15 to the Patriots or No. 20 to the Bears.

Wanting what is best for Mac, most Alabama football fans want to see him selected by the Jets or the 49ers. It is hard to believe he would be available past the Patriots at No. 15. But whether Jones is the second QB selected or the fifth, it will be a big win for Mac and Alabama Football.

A similar situation holds for DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Alabama football fans will challenge anyone who contends LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase is the top wide receiver in the Draft. We know that distinction belongs to DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle. Both those guys should go between No. 4 to the Falcons, down to No. 18 to the Dolphins. While Tide fans know both deserve to be chosen in the top seven or so picks, it would not be a disaster if one of them slides to No. 18 and pairs up with Tua.

Crimson Tide fans are sure Patrick Surtain II is the best cornerback in the Draft. The range for PSII is probably from Atlanta at No. 4, down to Arizona at No. 16.

Najee Harris and Christian Barmore may not have as many interested teams because of their positions. Barmore can play multiple defensive line positions but doesn’t match the NFL’s standard edge rusher profile. Late in the first round, he could go the Bills or the Bucs.

The best fit for Najee in the first round is at No. 24 to the Steelers or the next pick if the Jags choose a running back with the No. 25 pick.

If not surprise first-round selections, Landon Dickerson and Alex Leatherwood should be solid second-round picks. Dylan Moses and Deonte Brown could go in the second as well and should not drop below the third.

NFL Draft pundits may be right in predicting other outcomes. But Alabama football fans can wish for eight former Crimson Tide players to go in the first round and 14 in the Draft’s full seven rounds.