King of the 2024 NFL Draft: Nick Saban or Kalen DeBoer?

Former Alabama Football coach Nick Saban will continue to be a star of the NFL Draft. Along with celebrating the Crimson Tide's 2024 Draft haul, Saban will be highlighted as 'the expert' as an ESPN commentator. While the Draft takes place, Saban will join Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pete Thamel, Laura Rutledge, and Field Yates.

For Saban, the 2024 NFL Draft will be both an encore and a debut. A coach no more, Nick's last Alabama Crimson Tide draft class will enhance his status as the all-time King of the NFL Draft.

A current NFL Draft King cannot be anointed in one draft cycle. At least two drafts will be needed for credibility. Poll college football fans about a future NFL Draft King and many names will be mentioned; Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning, Lincoln Riley, Steve Sarkisian, and others. Not on the minds of many college football fans is Kalen DeBoer. By Saturday afternoon, DeBoer may become the top coach in the 2024 Draft. There are strong indications more former Washington players will be drafted, than Crimson Tide or Georgia Bulldogs' players.

Nick Saban's NFL Draft resume is expected to add four, 2024 first-round selections and four more former Crimson Tide players drafted in later rounds. Kirby Smart is also projected to have eight Georgia players drafted, but only one in the first round.

Eleven of Kalen DeBoer's former Washington players are projected to be drafted, including three first-rounders. Leading the field to become the current NFL Draft King may be the guy some doubted could recruit in the SEC. The 2024 NFL Draft and Alabama's 2025 signing class should indicate in Alabama's new era, the Crimson Tide will continue as a recruiting powerhouse.

Alabama Football 2024 NFL Draft Projection

Note: This seven-round projection is provided NFL.com's Chad Reuter.

• Alabama Crimson Tide First Round - No. 10, JC Latham to the Jets; No. 12, Dallas Turner to the Broncos; No. 17, Terrion Arnold to the Jags; No. 25, Kool-Aid McKinstry to the 49ers.

• Alabam in 4th and 5th Rounds - 4th Round, No. 111, Jermaine Burton to the Jets; 4th Round, No. 117, Chris Braswell to the Bears; 6th Round, No. 155, Will Reichard to the Rams and 5th Round, No. 166, Justin Eboigbe to the Giants.

Another tidbit to be enjoyed by Alabama fans is the projection for Auburn. The Aubies' draft class is projected to include one, 3rd rounder and three, 6th rounders; all defensive players.