Which Alabama football players will go in the first round?
The 2022 NFL Draft is on the horizon, and there are two Alabama football players who have a great chance of going in the first round. Evan Neal was seen as a lock to go first overall. Even if he slips, he will be going in the top 10. After him, Jameson Williams is set to be one of the first receivers taken. A handful of teams desperately need another receiver, and the speed of Williams sets him apart.
We’ll know for sure where these players will land soon, but this is a mock draft that predicts what will happen. Just to be abundantly clear, these are predictions of what I think will happen. I do not agree with all of these picks, but this is where I see the draft going.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
2. Detroit Lions: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
3. Houston Texans: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
4. New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Here is where Neal comes off the board. While I see him as the best tackle in the class and worthy of being the first player drafted, Ekwonu is getting a lot of love. Ekwonu is a great talent, but I believe that the athleticism of Neal will help him become an elite tackle in the NFL. He also played three different positions for Alabama football, which is why he would be valuable to a team like the Giants.
6. Carolina Panthers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
7. New York Giants: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
8. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
9. Seattle Seahawks: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
10. New York Jets: Drake London, WR, USC
11. Washington Commanders: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
12: Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
13. Houston Texans: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
This would pair the former Alabama football quarterback with another receiver from Tuscaloosa. The Eagles need to support Hurts, and this move is a great way to do just that. It would not shock me if a team like Green Bay or Kansas City tried to trade up for Williams, but he falls into Philly’s lap.
16. New Orleans Saints: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
18. Philadelphia Eagles: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
19. New Orleans Saints: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
21. New England Patriots: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
22. Green Bay Packers: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
23. Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
24. Dallas Cowboys: Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
25. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
26. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
28. Green Bay Packers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
30. Kansas City Chiefs: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
32. Detroit Lions: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
So, two Alabama football players go in this NFL Mock Draft. Three quarterbacks are taken, but plenty of teams still have question marks. What can the Chiefs do to get another great receiver? Who will surprise us in the first round and make an insane pick?
Without trades, it is hard to make solid predictions. Either way, this is how I have it shaking out.