With Monday being the final day to use a franchise tag on players, the NFL will enter free agency next week.
Although most teams enjoying building their program through the draft, getting some quality veterans off the market can provide an avenue to a potential Super Bowl.
For the University of Alabama, nine former athletes under Nick Saban find themselves testing free agency in search of a bigger contract.
The quartet of Mark Ingram, T.J. Yeldon, James Carpenter and D.J. Fluker represent offensive stars, while C.J. Mosley, Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix, Landon Collins, Kareem Jackson and Mark Barron are defensive leaders.
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Carpenter, formerly of the New York Jets, is the lone one with a Super Bowl championship – winning a ring in 2013 with the Seattle Seahawks.
Ingram, Mosley and Collins have anchored their respective teams at different positions. Prior to last season, Ingram totaled four 1,000-yard performances from scrimmage (2014-17) as a running back for the New Orleans Saints – including two 1,000-yard rushing campaigns in 2016 (1,043) and 2017 (1,124).
Mosley (Ravens) and Collins (Giants) led their respective teams in tackles throughout their young careers, following the former being selected in 2014 and the latter in 2015.
Jackson, Clinton-Dix, Barron, Fluker and Yeldon have also managed to carve out some success amongst the professionals. Whichever team has the cap space is going to make an effort to sign these players, especially with how each one brings a winning mentality from Saban to the NFL.
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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.
