Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft features Bama players

Although the 2023 college football season is still 45 days away, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid has already put together an early 2024 NFL Mock Draft featuring three Alabama players going in the top 10. JC Latham, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Dallas Turner could be in for some impressive seasons if this comes to fruition.

Way Too Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0:

• Two QB race at the top
• Strong OL and DL classes
• CB group has potentialhttps://t.co/tCU7ZhjX5r

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) July 6, 2023

6. Tennessee Titans – JC Latham, OT

The Titans addressed the offensive tackle position this past April when they selected Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski with the 11th pick. In addition to having Skoronski, they also signed former 2019 Eagless first-round draft pick Andre Dillard during the offseason. It’s hard to imagine them going offensive tackle in the top 10 two years in a row, but getting some dependable protection for potential franchise quarterback Will Levis could be their top priority. “He is a bruiser in the run game and surprisingly nimble for a 6-foot-5, 330-pound blocker, but he must reduce the 11 penalties he took in 2022,” said Reid.

9. Las Vegas Raiders- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB

“At 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, he allowed only 4.0 yards per attempt as the primary defender (tied for ninth best in the country), broke up 14 passes (tied for eighth best), and allowed zero touchdowns last season. He stands out in man coverage, but he’s also a savvy zone defender with the ability to quickly read and react,” said Reid. Barring any major setbacks it seems as if McKinstry is a lock to go early in the draft, and Vegas would be the perfect fit for the lockdown cornerback. The Raiders’ defense ranked 24th in passing defense and interceptions, and the First-Team All-SEC corner would be an immediate upgrade over Duke Shelley and David Long Jr.

10. Chicago Bears- Dallas Turner, Edge

Although the Alabama defensive line has big shoes to fill with the departure of Will Anderson Jr, his replacement Turner has NFL-level talent as well.  “Turner is raw and hasn’t quite figured out how to consistently string pass-rush moves together, but at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, he has impressive physical traits and upside. He enters the 2023 season as the key part of the Alabama defensive front after recording 35 pressures and four sacks last season,” said Reid.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, Alabama also had three selections in the first round, Bryce Young went No. 1 to Carolina, Will Anderson went No. 2 to Houston, and Detroit took Jahmyr Gibbs at No.12. Some would consider this to be a bit of a let down by Bama standards, but at least one Alabama player has been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft for the past 14 seasons.

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