NFL Draft: Nine former players worked out at Alabama Football Pro Day

Nine former Alabama football players worked out on Wednesday in front of dozens of NFL scouts and team officials. Two more former Crimson Tide players, still recovering from injuries did not work out but talked with NFL Draft team representatives.

Including injured wide receiver, Jameson Williams, three of the 11 players are projected as having a chance to be first-round selections in April’s NFL Draft. Others will be drafted in the subsequent rounds.

For good reason, Evan Neal received the most attention. He will be drafted high in the first round and has a good chance to be the first offensive lineman selected. Neal skipped workouts at the NFL Combine, so the NFL experts were anxious to see him in action. All reports are Neal passed every test.

The other former Tide player wowing NFL teams is inside linebacker, Christian Harris. First at the Combine and again on Wednesday, Harris showed he has the size, speed and quickness to be a top NFL linebacker. Edge rushers are expected to dominate the Draft’s first round. Among traditional linebackers, Harris has done so well in workouts, he might be one of the first two chosen in the Draft.

Seven more former Tide players had much to prove in Wednesday’s workouts. In some cases, they are trying to prove to be worthy of a draft selection. Most of them were trying to enhance their Draft positions. More than any other player, the Alabama Pro Day was essential for LaBryan Ray. When the Combine took place, Ray was still recovering from the latest of his many injuries as a Crimson Tide player. Wednesday was his chance to impress.

One report stated Ray’s 40-time was an unofficial 5.13. Chase Goodbread reporting for the Tuscaloosa News stated Ray was not satisfied with his time at unofficially, 4.88. What Ray will look toward next will be invitations from teams for pre-Draft workouts at team facilities.

Slade Bolden had the good fortune of Bryce Young throwing to him in the workouts. Bolden made one tremendous catch but also dropped a pass. Young showed the NFL guys why he should be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Crimson Tide Probable and Possible NFL Draft Selections

Other Crimson Tide players who participated were Brian Robinson Jr., Jaylin Armour-Davis, Phidarian Mathis, Chris Owens and Daniel Wright.

Nick Saban’s good friend, Bill Belichick was in the house. So were other NFL head coaches, Mike McCarthy and Matt Rhule.