If people were hoping that the talent level in Tuscaloosa had dropped post-Nick Saban, well, that's just wishful thinking. Early looks at way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Drafts indicate there's a ton of talent remaining in the cupboard for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama.
Alabama had fewer than usual eligible players in the 2025 NFL Draft, but more than anything that's because of how many draft-eligible players they retained. Guys like LT Overton, Domani Jackson, and Parker Brailsford, who would have been picked within the first 100 selections last week, chose to return to Tuscaloosa for another season.
If early mock drafts are any indication, the 2026 draft will look a lot more like Crimson Tide fans have gotten used to.
AtoZSports' Travis May put together a handy consensus big board from across all the reputable early mocks for 2026. In the top 64 - which correlates with the first two rounds of the NFL Draft - Alabama has the most prospects with six:
3. OT Kadyn Proctor
16. DE LT Overton
40. S Keon Sabb
43. LB Deontae Lawson
56. CB Domani Jackson
63. C Parker Brailsford
Alabama's NFL Draft streaks appear to be in no danger of ending
Alabama's streak of 17 consecutive NFL Drafts with at least one first round pick appears to be in no danger of ending in 2026. The Tide's top draft prospect as things currently stand is former 5-star OT Kadyn Proctor. Proctor took a sizeable leap as a player from his freshman-to-sophomore seasons and most early mocks have him as OT1.
In at least one early mock, Proctor is projected as the No. 1 overall pick.
LT Overton could have declared for this draft and probably would have been taken in the 2nd Round. He returned for his senior season hoping his ability to get into the backfield turns into major production in 2025. He was one of the best players in the country last season at getting there, but struggled to finish. If he improves that this year, he could be a 1st Team All-American and a 1st Round pick.
Alabama has had seven straight drafts with multiple 1st Round picks.
DBs Keon Sabb and Domani Jackson lead a talented secondary for the Crimson Tide. With Jackson's track-speed, he's got a real chance to work himself into the 1st Round range, too. He was a steady presence for the Tide a year ago leading a young group of corners. Sabb showed his ball-hawking ability before going down with a season-ending injury against Tennessee.
Deontae Lawson would have been in this draft if he didn't suffer a torn ACL in Alabama's loss to Oklahoma. The latest update on Lawson's status was pretty optimistic.
Parker Brailsford is probably the best center in the country and will be the preseason favorite to win the Rimington Award. He's a bit undersized in NFL terms, but he's one of the best players in the country, pound for pound.
Along with the guys listed, there are several other Alabama players who have a chance of working themselves into position. OG Jaedan Roberts, WR Germie Bernard, and S Bray Hubbard could be in store for big seasons that cause them to fly up draft boards.
There are then some third-year players who could use big junior seasons to catapult up draft boards. DT James Smith and LB Qua Russaw are the most likely.
Then, there's QB Ty Simpson, who has the physical tools and will be under a microscope as the Tide's projected starter.
DeBoer has the talent, and he has the coaches for Alabama to be one of the best teams in the country and a serious contender for the national championship.