As we head down the stretch of both the college football and NFL season, mock drafts from tons of different experts begin to pop up as fans look at who their teams could be looking at and where.
Nick Saban is no stranger to first round picks, having produced 49 of them in total and 44 in his time at Alabama. However, only once has he reached the mark of five in the same draft (Alabama actually had six in the 2021 draft).
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller and his latest mock draft, it could be another productive draft season out of Tuscaloosa, with Miller projecting five Crimson Tide players in the first round.
The first one off the board was EDGE rusher Dallas Turner, who Miller predicted 6th overall to the Tennessee Titans. Turner was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 by league coaches.
Dallas Turner is a monster.
It’s almost not even fair 😤
— Steven (@stevenxvision) December 12, 2023
Next may be seen as a bit of a surprise to some due to who he could go ahead of, but Terrion Arnold comes off the board at 11 (ahead of Kool-Aid McKinstry) to the Atlanta Falcons. Arnold has been nothing short of phenomenal in 2023, taking an absolutely massive leap from last season.
Terrion Arnold! 🔒🔒🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/iHJdQMlDYb
— WeAreDBnation (@WeAreDBNation1) November 11, 2023
After Arnold comes McKinstry, who Miller had at 16th to the Indianapolis Colts. McKinstry has been a factor on the defense since his freshman year in 2021, developing into a star last season and continuing with solid play through 2023.
Great angle of Alabama CB Kool Aid McKinstry playing press coverage. Currently ranked as a Top 20 prospect on TDN’s Top 100 !!! #RatedProspect
pic.twitter.com/4QRlUVil3j— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) October 21, 2023
21st overall to the Green Bay Packers was junior offensive tackle JC Latham, another guy who lived up to the billing as a 5-star prospect. Latham has allowed just four sacks in three years at Alabama and has been a steadying presence at the right tackle position.
The grip strength from Alabama RT 65 JC Latham is legit. He locks on, sinks into the ground and prevents the defender from getting any closer to the QB. pic.twitter.com/3ElqMRFRor
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 7, 2023
The final first rounder that Miller had in his mock was Turner’s EDGE counterpart Chris Braswell, who has had a career year in his senior season in 2023. Braswell is a guy who trusted the process, stuck around, and earned a bigger role each season because of it. He had 8 sacks this season and was named second team All-SEC by the Associated Press.
Tim Smith, Chris Braswell…elite hands. pic.twitter.com/j5yf8BEiUd
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) October 23, 2023
Miller projected him 31st overall to the Baltimore Ravens.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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