Five Takeaways from Alabama at the 2022 NFL Draft

With the New York Giants taking offensive lineman Evan Neal seventh general, Alabama’s streak of getting a participant drafted within the first spherical reached 14 years, tying the report set by the Miami Hurricanes from 1995-2008. On this span, Saban and Alabama have had 41 gamers chosen within the first spherical. It is a streak that’s sure to proceed subsequent season (however we’ll get to that later.)

Huge receiver Jameson Williams was additionally picked within the first spherical Thursday evening. He went twelfth general to the Detroit Lions. It marked the sixth Alabama receiver taken within the first spherical courting again to 2018. 

Despite the fact that it did not come anyplace near matching the six first-round choices Alabama had in 2021, Williams and Neal’s choices confirmed the depth of riches Alabama is ready to churn out and develop 12 months after 12 months. 

This could come as no shock, however the 4 groups on this 12 months’s School Soccer Playoff reached that time as a result of they have been loaded with NFL expertise and have been among the many groups to listen to their names known as essentially the most typically this weekend. Alabama, Cincinnati, Georgia and Michigan mixed to have 36 gamers drafted this 12 months. 

Contemporary off their first nationwide title in over 40 years, the Georgia Bulldogs have been the story of the draft with 15 gamers picked, setting a contemporary draft report. Cincinnati had 9 gamers chosen with seven from Alabama and 5 from Michigan. 

4 of the primary seven picks of the draft have been from CFP groups, every representing a distinct faculty (Travon Walker at No. 1 from Georgia, Aiden Hutchinson at No. 2 from Michigan, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner at No. 4 from Cincinnati and Neal at No. 7 from Alabama.) Total, this 12 months’s CFP subject produced 10 first spherical draft picks.

In complete, Alabama completed with seven gamers drafted. Neal and Williams went within the first spherical, John Metchie III (No. 44 general, Houston Texans) and Phidarian Mathis (No. 47 general, Washington Commanders) went within the second spherical, Christian Harris (No. 75 general, Texans) and Brian Robinson Jr. (No. 98 general, Commanders) went within the third, and Jalyn Armour-Davis (No. 119 general, Baltimore Orioles) was the one Day 3 choice from Alabama. 

Relying on whether or not or not you depend Jalen Hurts in 2020, Alabama has had at the least 10 gamers drafted annually courting again to 2017. Due to the NFL draft manufacturing facility that Alabama has grow to be, this will appear to be a down 12 months to Crimson Tide followers. 

To place it into perspective in present phrases, Auburn had one participant drafted and Texas had zero. In previous phrases, previous to Saban’s arrival in 2007, the final time Alabama had seven or extra gamers taken in a single draft was 1987. Saban has achieved that feat 12 occasions within the final 13 years. 

Edge rusher Christopher Allen and cornerback Josh Jobe have been projected to get drafted on Day 3. Each gamers have been hampered by accidents all through their Crimson Tide careers and slid off draft boards and into free company. 

Allen signed an UDFA take care of the Denver Broncos, and Josh Jobe signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Whereas each Allen and Jobe might have elevated the Alabama draft complete, typically free company may be higher for a participant than a late-round choose as a result of it permits them extra say in the place they find yourself. Allen and Jobe landed in locations the place they’ll battle for roster spots. 

LaBryan Ray and Slade Bolden additionally signed offers as undrafted free brokers with the Patriots and Ravens respectively.