Four Alabama Players Make the First Round in 2022 Mock Draft
The draft order below are from SportsLine's Super Bowl odds.
#1 New York Jets- EDGE Kavyon Thibodeaux/Oregon
The consensus top player in next year's draft should go first overall no matter who's picking. As many holes as the Jets have, they shouldn't look at need with this pick and just go best player available. Pairing Thibodeaux with Carl Lawson gives them a 1-2 punch off the edge for years to come and adds to their current rebuild.
#2 Jacksonville Jaguars- OT Evan Neal/Alabama
The only way to guarantee success for a young quarterback is to give him weapons and protect him. As of right now, the Jaguars have not found a way to protect this year's first overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence. Giving Lawrence a massive and athletic tackle he can trust like Alabama's Evan Neal will do wonders for his career. Neal is a 6-foot-7 350 pound tackle that can move himself and people. From day one, he will be the best tackle in this division.
#3 Houston Texans- CB Derek Stingley Jr./LSU
Houston, we have a problem. The top quarterbacks we thought were locks to go top five aren't playing like top five players currently. Luckily, but unluckily the Texans have more holes to fill than just at quarterback. They could use some young talent in the secondary. Kareem Jackson is getting older and has moved to safety and Johnathan Joseph has retired. Enter Derek Stingley Jr. the best corner in college football since he stepped on LSU's campus. Stingley is a long corner who can take the opposing team's number target completely out of the game. In today's NFL, that's a valuable asset.
#4 Detroit Lions- WR Chris Olave/Ohio St.
With the Lions drafting this high, one would think Detroit needs a QB, but that's not the case. They have former first overall pick Jared Goff. He's playing well enough to get another season under center for Detroit. He just needs a true number one receiver. He has a strong left tackle in Penei Sewell and a quality back in D'Andre Swift. It's time the Lions get a receiver to bring it all together.
#5 New York Giants- QB Carson Strong/Nevada
If the Giants are picking this high and Daniel Jones is struggling to prove he's the Giants' quarterback of the future, Dave Gettleman is about to usher in a new era of Giant football with possibly back-to-back first round selections, starting with a new QB. Carson Strong is looking like he has taken over the No. 1 quarterback in this year's draft class. Strong, coming off a season where he caught a lot of people by surprise and now he's a Heisman favorite.
#6 New York Giants(from CHI)- OT Zion Nelson /Miami(FL)
Now to do something for Carson Strong that they didn't for Daniel Jones, protect him. The Giants find their tackle to play opposite Andrew Thomas for years to come in Zion Nelson. Nelson is a strong run-blocking machine and can create lanes for star running back, Saquon Barkley.
#7 Atlanta Falcons- QB Matt Corral/Ole Miss
Even without Julio Jones, the Atlanta Falcons still have a lot of offensive fire power. Going with a younger QB could maximize their talent while its still in its prime. Corral might have proved worthy of this draft selection with a valiant effort against over top ranked Alabama this weekend.
#8 Cincinnati Bengals- OL Kenyon Green/ Texas A&M
The Bengals add to a young talented offensive line with this selection. Green is versatile lineman with great feet and strength. He is a plug-and-play starter at any of the interior spots.
#9 Philadelphia Eagles- DL DeMarvin Leal/Texas A&M
Texas A&M with another top ten first round selection. DeMarvin Leal is a versatile pass rusher who started his career as a defensive end kicked inside because of team need. Leal made the transition look easy as he has been giving guards and centers trouble in the interior. The Eagles already have Derek Barnett and Fletcher Cox. This d-line could be scary next season.
#10 Washington Football Team- QB Malik Willis/Liberty
Malik Willis could be QB1 closer to the draft. He certainly has the potential to be special. The small-school prospect can beat you will his legs and as his arms. The former Auburn Tiger could be what Washington needs to complete its team.
#11 Pittsburgh Steelers- QB Sam Howell/North Carolina
This season might be the last we see of Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers have Dwayne Haskins and Mason Randolph already in place, but neither have seen much action in Pittsburgh. This is perfect time to hit the reset button at quarterback.
#12 Philadelphia Eagles- OT Darrian Kinnard/Kentucky
Eagles could in position to address both sides of the ball through the trenches. Kinnard is a tackle that's rising up draft boards. The Eagles need to protect Jalen Hurts to give him a real shot at being the quarterback of the future.
#13 Indianapolis Colts- OT Sean Rhyan/ UCLA
This is a deep tackle class and the need for top offensive line talent is even greater with the influx of young quarterbacks in recent years. The Colts need to protect their investment, Carson Wentz.
#14 New England Patriots- WR Garrett Wilson/Ohio St.
Ohio State has struggled offensively this season but is still loaded on the outside with exceptional talent at receiver. Garrett Wilson is just as talented as his teammate Chris Olave and has tremendous upside. Giving Mac Jones a receiver like Wilson to grow with could resume the Patriots dynasty.
#15 Minnesota Vikings- DE George Karlaftis/Purdue
The Vikings have always had top notch bookends and that doesn't stop now. They still have Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen, but they're getting older. One of them likely won't be on the team next season. Karlaftis might be the perfect replacement.
#16 OT Ikem Ekwonu/ N.C. State
After electing not to draft OT Rashawn Slater in the 2021 NFL draft and going with South Carolina's corner Jaycee Horn, the Panthers stay in-state for its tackle of the future. Ekwonu is a interesting o-line prospect who he spent time all across the offensive line. He might find a home at tackle in Charlotte.
#17 S Kyle Hamilton/ Notre Dame
The Raiders get a steal with this selection. Kyle Hamilton is a elite prospect with top five potential. He only falls this far because other team's needs at other positions.
#18 New York Jets- OL Jaxson Kirkland/ Washington
The Jets have a chance to have the biggest set of tackles in the league next season with this selection. Kirkland is a 6-foot-7 mauler of a offensive lineman. He and Mekhi Becton could provide Zach Wilson with plenty of time to throw the ball.
#19 New Orleans Saints- CB Kaiir Elam/Florida
The Saints are slowly rebuilding the defense to Super Bowl caliber. Pairing Kaiir Elam with Marshon Lattimore and veterans such as Cam Jordan and Malcolm Jenkins could do the trick.
#20 Denver Broncos- EDGE Drake Jackson/USC
There's no questioning Von Miller is getting older, but you couldn't tell by the way he is playing and leading Denver's defense. Why not draft his replacement during last few great years?
#21 Tennessee Titans- CB Andrew Booth Jr./Clemson
#22 Los Angeles Chargers- DE Aidan Hutchinson/Michigan
#23 Dallas Cowboys- CB Ahmad Gardner/Cincinnati
#24 Arizona Cardinals- RB Isaiah Spiller/Texas A&M
#25 Miami Dolphins- OL Tyler Linderbaum/Iowa
#26 Cleveland Browns- WR John Metchie III/Alabama
#27 Baltimore Ravens- DL Phidarian Mathis/Alabama
#28 Green Bay Packers- WR Treylon Burks/Arkansas
#29 Buffalo Bills- WR George Pickens/Georgia
#30 Detroit Lions- QB Spencer Rattler/Oklahoma
#31 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- EDGE Kingsley Enagbare/South Carolina
#32 Kansas City Chiefs- LB Christian Harris/Alabama
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The 2021 Alabama Football Schedule in Photos