After The First Quarter Of The NFL Season, How Are Our Tide Rookies Shaping Up?

Alabama’s Early Impact:

CB - Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys took Diggs in the second round with the 51st overall pick after his selection to the 2019 All-SEC team. Though the Cowboys have had a difficult start to their campaign, 1-3, a bright spot from their defense has been Alabama’s 23 year old rookie. Thru three games Diggs secured 17 total tackles, two pass deflections, and a touchdown-saving forced fumble in week three.

WR - Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

Alabama’s only two Biletnikoff winners, Amari Cooper (’14) and Jerry Jeudy (’19), continue to prove themselves as offensive weapons for their respective organizations. After being selected by the Broncos with their first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft (Rd: 1 Pick: 15), Denver expected “JJ4” to provide an instant impact in offensive efficiency. The Broncos have struggled keeping a healthy offense together in 2020 and are missing their starting quarterback; Nonetheless, Jeudy has managed to come away with 15 catches for 234 yards and a TD, despite the offensive woes.

OT - Jedrick Wills, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland decided to solidify their protection for QB Baker Mayfield in 2020 by picking up the All-SEC lineman, Jedrick Wills Jr., with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. Wills, after turning 21 years old during the offseason, was named as the Browns’ starter at left tackle and has played in each outing of the season. Not only did he earn the opportunity to cover Mayfield’s blindside as a rookie, but he also managed to make an appearance in one of his QB’s many commercial advertisements at the beginning of the season.

Other Rookies From The Capstone:

WR - Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders

The Alabama-native and speedy wideout, Henry Ruggs III, worked his way into to history before leaving Tuscaloosa by landing himself at the No. 3 spot on the school’s career receiving TD list. After arriving in Las Vegas, Ruggs III earned his starting spot at WR1 for Jon Gruden and the newly located Raiders. Thru two games, Ruggs III has four catches for 59 yards.

DT - Raekwon Davis, Miami Dolphins

A Mississippi native and 2017 All-SEC interior lineman, Raekwon Davis was the show to watch for many during his time in Bryant-Denny Stadium. After putting up 19.5 tackles for a loss, along with 10 individual sacks at Alabama, the Miami Dolphins selected the 23-year-old with the 56th overall pick of the NFL Draft, during the second round. Davis has seen time in all of Miami’s appearances on the campaign and has a total of five tackles thru three games.

LB - Anfernee Jennings, New England Patriots

One of the brightest stars on the defensive side for Nick Saban in recent years, linebacker Anfernee Jennings, was taken during the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the perennial-champion, New England Patriots. Though the Dadeville, Alabama-native has only seen time in a single outing his rookie year, his potential gets higher and higher each week he spends with the vastly successful organization.

QB - Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Arguably, the best QB to ever suit up for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Tea Tagovailoa, was taken by the Miami Dolphins in the first round, with their fifth overall pick. At Alabama, the “Hawaiian Prince” cemented his name into the Crimson Tide history books by holding records for: Passing yards in a single season (3,966 yds, 2018); Passing TDs in a game (6 TD, 2019 v. Ole Miss); Passing TDs in a season (43 TDs, 2018); and Passing TDs in a career (87 TDs, 2017-2019). His situation with the Dolphins, however, is fairly controversial. While Tua has yet to take snaps for Miami, pressure from Dolphin fans and sports media members across have all made convincing arguments for the organization to start the Alabama rookie

S - Xavier McKinney, New York Giants - Injury (Foot)

LB - Terrell Lewis, Los Angeles Rams - Injury (Knee)