2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Alabama player projections (Feb. 24)

If you can believe it, we’re barely over two months away from the 2023 NFL Draft. After seeing only two of its former players go in the first round (Evan Neal and Jameson Williams) in last year’s draft, Alabama is hoping to see three, maybe even four go on Day 1 come April. There’s a good chance that happens, too.

If you’re looking for a more detailed schedule, you can find that below.

• Round 1 (Thursday, April 27)
• Rounds 2-3 (Friday, April 28)
• Rounds 4-7 (Saturday, April 29)

As things sit, Alabama has double-digit players who could realistically get taken at some point during the draft. Some are projected to go much higher than others, but there’s a nice blend of Day 1, 2 and 3 talent out of Tuscaloosa that’s available for NFL teams. Below, we’ve put together a Crimson Tide roundup for several of the more prominent mock drafts out there.

Note: Most early mocks include the first round only, but there are a few that go into Day 2. They’re sorted by most recent.

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QB Bryce Young

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/23) – Indianapolis Colts (No. 1)

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Indianapolis Colts (No. 1)

Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports (2/23) – Indianapolis Colts (No. 4)

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – Las Vegas Raiders (No. 1)

NFL Staff, The Athletic (2/23) – Indianapolis Colts (No. 1)

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/22) – Houston Texans (No. 2)

Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/22) – Chicago Bears (No. 1)

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (2/21) – Houston Texans (No. 2)

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/20) – Houston Texans (No. 2)

Todd McShay, ESPN (2/15) – Indianapolis Colts (No. 1)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Houston Texans (No. 1)

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (2/7) – Houston Texans (No. 2)

Matt Miller, ESPN (2/6) – Indianapolis Colts (No. 1)

Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (2/3) – Houston Texans (No. 2)

Mel Kiper, ESPN (1/25) – Indianapolis Colt (No. 4)

Damian Parson, The Draft Network (1/25) – Houston Texans (No. 2)

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/23) – Houston Texans (No. 2)

Projected range: Top 5 (Nos. 1-4)

Most common teams: Texans, Colts

Quick thoughts: From the looks of all these mock drafts, Young is going to be playing in the AFC South. The only question is where? There are positives and negatives to both landing spots. Indianapolis has in a dome, the new head coach (Shane Steichen, former Eagles OC) did a great job with former Alabama QB Jalen Hurts and the OL has some quality pieces.

On the flip side, Houston has a former Alabama LB DeMeco Ryans as its new HC, Young’s former to target (John Metchie III) is there and Christian Harris is expected to become one of the leaders of that defense. Plus, he’d have one of the best left tackles in the NFL in Laremy Tunsil to go along with whoever the Texans selected with their second first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/23) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports (2/23) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – Seattle Seahawks (No. 5)

NFL Staff, The Athletic (2/23) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/22) – Chicago Bears (No. 4)

Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/22) – Seattle Seahawks (No. 5)

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (2/21) – Seattle Seahawks (No. 5)

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/20) – Chicago Bears (No. 1)

Todd McShay, ESPN (2/15) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Chicago Bears (No. 4)

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (2/7) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Matt Miller, ESPN (2/6) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (2/3) – Chicago Bears (No. 1)

Mel Kiper, ESPN (1/25) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Damian Parson, The Draft Network (1/25) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/23) – Chicago Bears (No. 1)

Projected range: Top 5 (Nos. 1-5)

Most common teams: Cardinals, Bears

Quick thoughts: Similar to Young, there just isn’t a whole lot of variety as far as landing spots for Will Anderson Jr. Between the first three picks (Chicago, Houston and Arizona), many expect it to be some combination of Young, Anderson and Georgia DL Jalen Carter. Some have Anderson falling to Seattle at No. 5, but no where I’ve seen has him dropping out of the top 5.

The Bears ranked No. 32 in the NFL last season with only 20 sacks. Meanwhile, the Cardinals weren’t too far ahead, checking in at No. 23 (36 sacks). With J.J. Watt set to retire, Arizona must replace its sack leader (12.5) from 2022, which makes either Anderson or Carter all the more important. Both teams could use the former Alabama edge rusher, but I’m not thrilled about either.

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DB Brian Branch

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/23) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Philadelphia Eagles (No. 14)

Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports (2/23) – Detroit Lions (No. 18)

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – Buffalo Bills (No. 28)

NFL Staff, The Athletic (2/23) – Green Bay Packers (No. 13)

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/22) – Green Bay Packers (No. 13)

Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/22) – New York Jets (No. 13)

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (2/21) – Baltimore Ravens (No. 22)

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/20) – Seattle Seahawks (No. 20)

Todd McShay, ESPN (2/15) – Seattle Seahawks (No. 20)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (2/7) – New York Jets (No. 13)

Matt Miller, ESPN (2/6) – Green Bay Packers (No. 15)

Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (2/3) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)

Mel Kiper, ESPN (1/25) – Philadelphia Eagles (No. 30)

Damian Parson, The Draft Network (1/25) – New York Jets (No. 13)

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/23) – Green Bay Packers (No. 15)

Projected range: Day 1 (Nos. 13-30)

Most common teams: Packers, Jets, Buccaneers

Quick thoughts: Now we’re starting to get into some variety. NFL mock drafts across the internet are all over the place with Brian Branch. Sure, his range is fairly consistent, but he’s being projected to eight different teams in the first round. With there only being 27 teams with at least one selection in the first round, that’s almost a third of the teams.

My favorite landing spots for him would either be Baltimore or Philadelphia, but I would mind Buffalo or New York either. The Bills put such an emphasis on their safeties that I think Branch’s skillset would be highlighted. Seeing Branch in the same secondary as Sauce Gardner could be fun, too. At the same time, let’s keep stacking former Alabama players in Philly.

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RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/23) – Philadelphia Eagles (No. 30)

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Las Vegas Raiders (No. 38)

Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports (2/23) – Los Angeles Rams (No. 37)

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – Cincinnati Bengals (No. 29)

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/22) – Atlanta Falcons (No. 57)

Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/22) – Kansas City Chiefs (No. 31)

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/20) – Arizona Cardinals (No. 34)

Todd McShay, ESPN (2/15) – Buffalo Bills (No. 27)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Las Vegas Raiders (No. 38)

Matt Miller, ESPN (2/6) – Detroit Lions (No. 55)

Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (2/3) – New Orleans Saints (No. 30)

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/23) – Philadelphia Eagles (No. 31)

Projected range: Day 1-2 (Nos. 27-57)

Most common teams: Eagles, Raiders

Quick thoughts: Similar to Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs is also all over the place. Granted, that’s somewhat to be expected once you get later in the first round. But what we do know is that the former Alabama RB is going to be one of the first players taken at his position (likely behind Texas RB Bijan Robinson). That’ll put him in position to be yet another Crimson Tide runner with a chance at a starting gig.

With Las Vegas set to lose Josh Jacobs in free agency, there suddenly becomes a need at the position. Former Georgia running back Zamir White can potentially bring more of that power element, but I believe running a tandem between him and Gibbs would be quite effective. The Bills have been searching for a back like him though, so that’s interesting as well. Philly uses too much of a committee approach for my liking.

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DB Jordan Battle

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/23) – Buffalo Bills (No. 59)

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Green Bay Packers (No. 45)

Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports (2/23) – San Francisco 49ers (No. 100)

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – Cincinnati Bengals (No. 61)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 88)

Projected range: Day 2 (Nos. 59-100)

Most common teams: None

Quick thoughts: Not every mock draft above included more than the first round, but most of them that did had Jordan Battle being taken sometime on Day 2. Similar to another Alabama safety in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Battle doesn’t do anything on an elite level. He is, however, a steady and balanced safety who should be a starter early in his career.

I don’t see a scenario where he climbs into the first round because he’s not a splashy player, but I also can’t envision a scenario where he falls into Day 3. Considering the Packers once drafted Clinton-Dix in the first round, it’d be somewhat poetic if they selected Battle in this draft. With Jordan Poyer set to hit free agency, Buffalo makes a lot of sense, too.

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LB Henry To’oTo’o

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Atlanta Falcons (No. 75)

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – Detroit Lions (No. 49)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Miami Dolphins (No. 51)

Projected range: Day 2 (Nos. 49-75)

Most common teams: None

Quick thoughts: I learned a hard lesson with former Alabama LB Mack Wilson Sr. Despite premier coverage ability and a modern day skill set overall, he fell all the way to the fifth round. I won’t make that same mistake with To’oTo’o, so I’ll acknowledge the very real possibility that he could fall to Day 3. With that said, I like him somewhere in the third round, but it needs to be in the right system.

The good news for To’oTo’o is that he’s a really intelligent player. He might be the most impressive linebacker physically, but he understands his role and the roles of those around him. That should help him eventually become a starter, even if the ceiling is never very high. The Falcons could lose former Alabama LB Rashaan Evans in free agency, but I think To’oTo’o would fit great in Miami.

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DL Byron Young

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – Buffalo Bills (No. 60)

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/20) – Dallas Cowboys (No. 58)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Chicago Bears (No. 64)

Projected range: Day 2 (No. 58-64)

Most common teams: None

Quick thoughts: How many interior defensive lineman has Alabama seen drafted in the second round during the Nick Saban era? Honestly, it feels like 30, but really, it’s closer to 6-7. Phidarian Mathis, Christian Barmore, Raekwon Davis, Dalvin Tomlinson, A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed were all taken in the same range some of these mocks have Young going.

The jury is still out Mathis due to a season-ending injury during his rookie season, but all of these guys have turned out to be good players. I’d expect Young to do the same. I’d actually use similar descriptions to the things I said about Battle as a safety. Young is balanced and steady, but I don’t think he’s elite in any one area. Neither were a lot of these other Alabama defensive linemen coming out though.

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CB Eli Ricks

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/22) – Dallas Cowboys (No. 58)

Projected range: Day 2 (No. 58)

Most common team: Cowboys

Quick thoughts: Well, this is something I saw coming. Granted, there’s still time for Ricks to climb draft boards. Personally, I think there’s a lot of upside to taking him on Day 2, but I also still believe he would’ve been better suited returning to Tuscaloosa. It would be cool to see Ricks eventually starting opposite another former Alabama CB in Trevon Diggs though.

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OL Tyler Steen

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Indianapolis Colts (No. 79)

Projected range: Day 2 (No. 79)

Most common team: Colts

Quick thoughts: I really like the idea of Steen getting some Day 2 love. I came away impressed with a lot of the things I saw and heard about him down at the Senior Bowl earlier this month. His lack of elite length could hurt him, but I do believe there’s a possible NFL starter here, whether that’s at tackle or guard. Don’t be shocked if the buzz to continues to grow as the draft grows closer.

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Note: We also included former Alabama linebacker Drew Sanders for those fans who are curious to see where he’s being projected.

Former LB Drew Sanders

Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/23) – Dallas Cowboys (No. 26)

Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire (2/23) – Seattle Seahawks (No. 25)

Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/23) – New England Patriots (No. 47)

NFL Staff, The Athletic (2/23) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/22) – Dallas Cowboys (No. 26)

Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/22) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/20) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19)

Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13) – Denver Broncos (No. 68)

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (2/7) – Atlanta Falcons (No. 8)

Matt Miller, ESPN (2/6) – Minnesota Vikings (No. 23)

Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (2/3) – Dallas Cowboys (No. 27)

Damian Parson, The Draft Network (1/25) – Detroit Lions (No. 56)

Projected range: Day 1-2 (Nos. 8-68)

Most common teams: Cowboys, Buccaneers

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