Alabama football has its second defensive lineman from its 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship team to grab a payday from the National Football League.
Da’Ron Payne, a native of Birmingham, Ala., signed a massive four-year contract worth $90 million for the Washington Commanders – making him the second highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. Dalvin Tomlinson, a native Georgian, has signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns – ending his tenure for the Minnesota Vikings. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Tomlinson’s contract with the Browns is worth $57 million, including $27.5 million guaranteed.
Sources: The #Browns are expected to sign former #Vikings DT Dalvin Tomlinson, landing their coveted big-time defenders on Day 1 of free agency. He gets a 4-year deal worth $57M with $27.5M guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
Tomlinson got taken in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. After four seasons with the Giants, he spent the last two years with the Vikings. Tomlinson has 288 career tackles, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 93 games between the Giants and Vikings. He dominated football and wrestling at Henry County High School before arriving at the University of Alabama in 2012. Tomlinson became one of the most underrated defensive linemen of the Nick Saban era. He sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in both knees in college, but Tomlinson remained productive.
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He recorded 22 tackles, 4.5 stops for loss, a sack, and two quarterback hurries in 2014.
His production increased every year, especially in the 2016 season, where Saban had his best defense. Tomlinson collected a career-high 62 tackles in 2016. He turned in 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, seven quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He assisted the Crimson Tide to two national championships (2012, 2015) in the BCS and CFP eras and four Southeastern Conference Championships.
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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.
