
Crimson Tide Draft Stock Update
Despite a so-called "slow" year when it comes to Alabama players in the NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide still sent eleven of its former stars to the annual NFL Combine and dominated headlines like it has for the last decade under Nick Saban.
From Evan Neal completely owning his media session, to Jameson Williams and John Metchie giving positive reports on their injury rehab, here is a breakdown of what each player accomplished this year at the combine.
First Rounders
Evan Neal
Evan Neal absolutely dominated headlines on Thursday when he took to the podium and, despite not looking an ounce past 285, informed reporters he weighed in at just under 340 lbs. ahead of the event. The noticeably slimmer Neal talked about the potential of being selected first overall and expressed his excitement to join the league. While the behemoth tackle chose not to participate in any drills, he certainly walked away from the week a winner.
Read More: Evan Neal Impresses at NFL Combine | https://tide1009.com/evan-neal-impresses-at-nfl-combine/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Stock Value: Top-3
Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams came to the combine with just one goal in mind. The former Buckeye turned Crimson Tide legend arrived in Indy simply to inform teams and reporters of the positive outlook on his recovery. Williams suffered a torn ACL in the national title game against Georgia, and many speculated his draft stock would suffer. While an injury certainly never helps one's chances of being selected highly, positive medical reports mean teams should have nothing to worry about.
Read More: Jameson Williams Provides Positive Update on His Rehab | https://tide1009.com/jameson-williams-provides-positive-update-on-his-rehab/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Stock Value: Top-15
Mid-Rounders
Christian Harris
Christian Harris did exactly what the former four-star did in his time at the Capstone: impress with his athleticism. Harris ran the second fastest time of all linebackers in the 40-yard dash, clocking in at a blazing 4.44, all while standing at 6-foot-1, 226 lbs. Harris could very easily find himself scooped up by a team in the early part of the second round with such an impressive performance at this year's combine. Having only played linebacker for a few years, Harris excels in versatility and could be a prospect that a team can mold to their needs.
Stock Value: Early Second Round
Phidarian Mathis
Phidarian Mathis was an absolute force for the Crimson Tide in his final season from the defensive line and projects to do much of the same in the NFL. The 6-foot-3, 315 lb. defensive tackle participated in just three drills at the combine, but did meet with the Buffalo Bills who hold picks in the fourth and fifth rounds where Mathis could likely be available.
Stock Value: Late Third Round
Jayln Armour-Davis
Jayln Armour-Davis, much like Harris, is a well of potential waiting to be tapped into. He showed flashes of being an elite cornerback in his lone season as a starter at Alabama, but was unable to put it together consistently. In his chance to show off the athleticism that allowed him play at Alabama underexperienced, Armour-Davis put up a very impressive performance. The former four-star ran an official 4.39 40-yard dash which was tied for seventh best among cornerbacks. While he will likely not hear his name called in rounds one or two, Armour-Davis could be the steal of the draft for someone in the third or fourth round.
Stock Value: Early Third Round
John Metchie
John Metchie, like Williams, is coming off of an ACL injury suffered late in the season. Also like his fellow "Ryde-Out", the Ontario native came to the combine with good news regarding his rehabilitation and left as one of the biggest winners of the week. While Metchie lacks the blazing speed of a player like Williams that would solidify him as a first round selection, he is an extremely reliable target that could certainly find his role as a second or third option in a team's receiving corps.
Read More: Jameson Williams and John Metchie Win the Combine | https://tide1009.com/jameson-williams-and-john-metchie-win-the-combine/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Stock Value: Mid Second Round
Brian Robinson, Jr.
What you see is what you get with Brian Robinson, Jr., and for some teams, that could be a much needed addition to their running back room. For Robinson, while he lacks the same eye-popping numbers as some of his counterparts, he had an excellent showing at the combine, running a 4.53 40-yard dash. Someone looking for a consistent power back that can eat up a lot of carries should look no further than the Tuscaloosa native. In his lone season as starter at Alabama, the former Hillcrest Patriot ran for over 1,300 yards with 14 touchdowns and was named first team All-SEC, showing his explosive power every chance he got.
Stock Value: Fourth Round
Late-Rounders
Slade Bolden
Slade Bolden, similar to Robinson, is someone that teams are aware of what they are getting with. Slade was never a star on Alabama's offense in his four seasons, but rather a reliable target that could be counted on in many short yardage situations. At the NFL Combine; however, Bolden did not help his stock much by running the slowest 40-yard dash of all wide receivers at 4.66 seconds. Ahead of the yearly event, Bolden was already trending towards being a late round pick, but his performance could put his draft stock in jeopardy.
Stock Value: Seventh Round/UDFA
Josh Jobe
Unlike Armour-Davis, Josh Jobe has a lot of experience at the cornerback position; however, much like his crimson counterpart, Jobe also struggled to put it all together at times. A two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Jobe is an extremely physical defender that can easily throw receivers off of routes. The former four-star out of Connecticut, still nursing an injury from the SEC title game, did not participate in any drills at this year's combine, but still projects as a day three selection.
Stock Value: Fifth Round
LaBryan Ray
LaBryan Ray joined Alabama in 2017 as a five-star out of Huntsville, AL, and after some promising flashes as a freshman, was unable to ever stay healthy throughout his Crimson Tide career. Ray dealt with major injuries in each season he was at Alabama, but still managed to attract the attention of the NFL, earning his combine invite. At the combine, Ray did not participate in any drills, but instead talked with the media and met with teams. For a player that once had as much promise as Ray, injuries have derailed his young career and could be the reason he is not drafted.
Stock Value: Seventh Round/UDFA
Christopher Allen
Christopher Allen is another player who dealt with many injuries in his time at Alabama, but could still hear his name called in the NFL Draft. Allen is viewed by many as a raw prospect with many nice traits but in need of development. While he would unlikely be a day-one impact player for a team, given some time to adjust and learn, Allen could make an excellent addition to a team's linebacking unit.
Stock Value: Sixth/Seventh Round