ESPN highlights Alabama players expected to replace Tide first-round picks

ESPN college football writers provided their thoughts on who will replace the Alabama football players taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Crimson Tide had two former players taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Tyler Booker was taken at No. 12 overall by the Dallas Cowboys. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Jihaad Campbell as the No. 31 overall pick.

Booker started at left guard for Alabama for 12 games and one at left tackle.

The Crimson Tide have multiple players competing to replace Tyler Booker at guard including Geno VanDeMark, Kam Dewberry and Olaus Alinen. VanDeMark and Dewberry are the most likely options to win the position battle, but ESPN’s Eli Ledbetter is giving Dewberry the edge ahead of the summer.

“The edge going into the summer belongs to Dewberry, the 6-foot-4, 345-pound lineman who made five starts in 32 career games with the Aggies,” Eli Lederman wrote. “However, Alabama’s thin guard depth likely means both Dewberry and VanDeMark will be critical to a successful fall in Tuscaloosa.

Campbell led Alabama football in tackles during the 2024 season. It will be a tall task replacing the hybrid and athletic linebacker. ESPN believes Alabama will lean on Justin Jefferson to replace the production of the first-round pick.

“He (Jefferson) gives the Alabama defense both experience and production after playing in 12 games (three starts) last season and recording 60 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and two sacks, and forcing a fumble,” Chris Low wrote.

Alabama football now looks to turn the page and develop some more first rounders in Tuscaloosa.

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