While the NFL Draft arrives next month, football fans are in the midst of receiving mock drafts from various sources on media outlets. For the University of Alabama, head coach Nick Saban intends on continuing a successful run of placing guys in the first round of the venue.
He has produced 22 first-round picks since 2009 and per the latest mock draft from NFL media analyst Bucky Brooks, Saban has positioned four guys for first round status in this year’s draft.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Denver Broncos
Even with retaining Bradley Roby and Chris Harris at both corner spots, losing Aquib Talib in free agency hurts for the Broncos. Aside from Darian Stewart, who totaled six interceptions combined in the last two seasons, Denver does not have a high-end safety in its back five.
Minkah Fitzpatrick would provide the team with a ball-hawking defender, secure tackler and occasional blitzer on different packages. He was the recipient of both Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe national awards at Alabama, following his career of nine picks (four touchdowns).
Broncos have the 5th overall pick.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Not only does it question the health of Sam Bradford, but Arizona is also not particularly sold on Mike Glennon either. Expect for the Cardinals to draft a quarterback in the middle rounds, but it will take a receiver early on for 15-year veteran Larry Fitzgerald to mentor.
Fitzgerald, 34, will play his last season in the fall as he had success in being both a deep threat and slot receiver. Listed at 6-feet and 189 pounds, Calvin Ridley did the same thing at Alabama.
His receptions dropped from 89 in his freshman season to 63 in 2017, but Ridley still brought in a team-high 967 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He recorded 224 catches for his career, coming second in Crimson Tide history to Amari Cooper (228) with 2,781 yards and 19 scores.
With it losing John Brown, Arizona needs to pair another route runner with J.J. Nelson.
Cardinals have the 15th overall pick.
Da’Ron Payne, DT, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta is starting to develop a nucleus on defense with Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, Deion Jones and Keanu Neal, yet it still needs one more big play defensive lineman.
Alabama was one of the nation’s best run stopping defenses in each of the last three season, due to having a 311-pounder in Da’Ron Payne clogging the middle. The 6’2″ specimen amassed 103 career tackles – including 53 in 2017 with one for loss, one sack and eight quarterback hurries.
Payne, a native of Birmingham, Ala., was credit with an interception and a touchdown reception in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Clemson. In a division that has Drew Brees, Jameis Winston and Cam Newton at quarterback, having an intense defensive tackle is huge.
Falcons have the 26th overall pick.
Rashaan Evans, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
After making the playoffs in 2017 and giving Blake Bortles a contract, Jacksonville will be in the market for an inside linebacker. Eleven-year veteran Paul Posluszny announced his retirement this offseason, following a season-low 61 tackles with six for loss and 1.5 sacks in 16 games.
It returns Telvin Smith and Myles Jack, but Rashaan Evans could be the piece to complete the Jaguars’ front seven. He possesses instincts, lateral quickness, edge-bending skills and coverage skills.
Evans drew the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans at Alabama’s Pro Day; however, Jacksonville has the players needed to make a Super Bowl – should it draft him.
He posted 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, seven quarterback hurries and three pass breakups last season, as the Crimson Tide won a national championship over Georgia.
Jacksonville has the 29th overall pick.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
