The 2022 NFL Draft was not a banner year for Alabama Football. It would have been considered a great success by most college football programs, but the standard in Tuscaloosa is different.
In what was a ‘down’ year for Alabama Football, seven former Alabama Crimson Tide players were drafted in 2022. By comparison, for the Alabama program, the most stellar NFL Draft years were in 2018 when 12 former Crimson Tide players were drafted, and in 2021 when six of the Tide’s 10 players drafted were selected in the first round.
That first-round number will not be matched in the 2023 Draft, but a new Crimson Tide record could be set. Three or four former Alabama players are expected to be chosen in the first round on Thursday. When the Draft ends on Saturday, there is a good chance the new single-year draft record for the Crimson Tide will hit 13.
Below is a summary compiled for numerous mock drafts, projecting where each of 13 former Alabama players will be drafted. It is important to remember that except for the first pick every year, no one outside NFL team rooms, knows where players will be chosen. First-round projections are fairly accurate in terms of what players will be selected, but less accurate in knowing the choices by teams. One reason why is late trades. Another reason is NFL teams are adept at misdirection, trying to cloud their intent.
Once any Draft reaches day three, accuracy in mock draft projections falls apart. In order for the Crimson Tide to set a new single-year draft record, it is likely a couple of guys will have to be selected in round seven. Predicting round seven is no more than a wild guess.
Alabama Football – 2023 NFL Draft
- Bryce Young – No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers
- Will Anderson Jr. – As high as No. 2 to the Texans or No. 3 to the Cardinals, but not below No. 8 to the Falcons
- Brian Branch – In the middle of the first round, look for Branch to be selected around No. 16. If he slides, the Cowboys at No. 26 or the Eagles at No. 30 could keep him in the first round.
- Jahmyr Gibbs – Late first round or early second round for Gibbs
- Henry To’o To’o – Third round
- Tyler Steen – Third round
- Jordan Battle – Third round
- Emil Ekiyor – Third round
- Byron Young – Third round
- Eli Ricks – Third round
- Cam Latu – Rounds five through seven
- DeMarcco Hellams – Round six or seven
- D.J. Dale – Round six or seven
Compliments of 247Sports, check out the Crimson Tide’s complete NFL Draft history.
There is a chance that of the first 100 players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, ten will be former Alabama football players.