Deep dive into Alabama's offensive players drafted during Saban era

Nick Saban has been the head coach at the University of Alabama for 15 seasons now.

In that time, he’s achieved remarkable success in almost every way that success is measured. Six national championships, eight conference championships and almost a 90% win percentage are just a few highlights from his impressive list of accomplishments.

Heck, Saban might see his losses at Alabama (currently at 25) get doubled by his first-round picks (currently at 39) before it’s all said and done. Folks, that’s unheard of.

In total, 106 players who wore Crimson have been selected so far with another double-digit group expected to be added in the 2022 NFL Draft. Of the players drafted, 48 have been on offense with two more specialists. Today, we’ll break down those offensive guys position-by-position.

Quarterbacks (4)

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
2	0	2

Day 1: Mac Jones (Round 1, 2021); Tua Tagovailoa (Round 1, 2020)

Day 2-3: AJ McCarron (Round 5, 2014); Greg McElroy (Round 7, 2011)

Overview: Alabama has seen four of its nine starting signal-callers drafted during the Saban era. Yes, those first two were mid to late-Day 2 selections with only five career starts between them. But things seem to be trending in a much better direction as of late, as we have seen an Alabama quarterback taken on Day 1 in each of the last two draft cycles.

Right now, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones are both current starters. Meanwhile, AJ McCarron has made a nice decade-long career out of being a quality backup for multiple franchises.

What’s next: Unfortunately, the two-year streak of Alabama quarterbacks being drafted will come to an end in April, but that’s only because Bryce Young isn’t draft-eligible this spring. If NFL decision-makers can get past his size, there’s a strong possibility that he’ll hear his name called No. 1 overall in 2023.

Running Backs (11)

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
4	6	1

Day 1: Najee Harris (Round 1, 2021); Josh Jacobs (Round 1, 2019); Trent Richardson (Round 1, 2012); Mark Ingram (Round 1, 2011)

Day 2-3: Damien Harris (Round 3, 2019); Bo Scarbrough (Round 7, 2018); Derrick Henry (Round 2, 2016); Kenyan Drake (Round 3, 2016); TJ Yeldon (Round 2, 2015); Eddie Lacy (Round 2, 2013); Glen Coffee (Round 3, 2009)

Overview: In 15 years under Saban, Alabama has seen 10 of its running backs selected on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft, including four in the first round. Some of those never quite lived up to the draft hype (Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, TJ Yeldon, etc.), but it can be argued that the Tide have two of the league’s top 5 players at that position.

Derrick Henry is well on his way to Canton and could’ve been the first player in NFL history to have back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons. Unfortunately, a foot injury derailed that possibility, and yet he still managed to rush for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in only eight games.

Najee Harris has only been in the NFL one season, but he’s already considered one of the league’s premier running backs. Plus, Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris are both considered reliable players and strong starters. At this point, the good far outweighs the bad at this position.

What’s next: Brian Robinson is projected to go anywhere between late Day 2 and early Day 3 come April. From there, he’s got a great shot at becoming a valuable member of a backfield committee, depending on where he ends up. The next high draft pick at the position, however, could be Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

Wide Receivers (9)

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
7	1	1

Day 1: Jaylen Waddle (Round 1, 2021); DeVonta Smith (Round 1, 2021); Henry Ruggs III (Round 1, 2020); Jerry Jeudy (Round 1, 2020); Calvin Ridley (Round 1, 2018); Amari Cooper (Round 1, 2015); Julio Jones (Round 1, 2011)

Day 2-3: ArDarius Stewart (Round 3, 2017); Kevin Norwood (Round 4, 2014)

Overview: Wide receiver is clearly one of Saban’s strongest positions as far as putting guys into the NFL. The hit rate on those pass-catchers also remains strong. Julio Jones was the first to get drafted, and he’s already put up Hall of Fame numbers with 13,330 receiving yards and 61 scores on 1,368 catches.

Really, there have only been two receivers we can say fell short of expectations.

ArDarius Stewart only lasted two years in the league after being a Day 2 selection, and Henry Ruggs III only counts because of poor choices he made off the field. The jury is still out on Jerry Jeudy given draft position, but the improved play at the quarterback position should help him get to WR1 status.

What’s next: Normally, Alabama receivers have a strong chance of going in the first round. Only two of the nine that have been drafted since 2008 have fallen to Day 2 or 3. But this year, we might see something a little bit different with Jameson Williams, John Metchie and Slade Bolden all projected to go on different days.

Tight Ends/Fullbacks (5)

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
1	1	3

Day 1: O.J. Howard (Round 1, 2017)

Day 2-3: Irv Smith Jr. (Round 2, 2019); Jalston Fowler (Round 4, 2015); Michael Williams (Round 7, 2013); Brad Smelley (Round 7, 2012)

Overview: Alabama tight ends and fullbacks haven’t fared that well in the NFL. However, that’s mostly due to injuries with O.J. Howard and Irv Smith Jr. unable to stay healthy. Hopefully, that changes in 2022, as both players are still young with plenty of promise and potential.

What’s next: Cameron Latu is going to get drafted in 2023, it’s just a matter of which day. Personally, I think he can go on Day 2 if he’s able to show more consistency with his hands. He’s got great size (6-5, 244), blocks well as an in-line option, can be flexed out wide and does good work in the red zone.

Offensive Line (19)

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
8	5	6

Day 1: Alex Leatherwood (Round 1, 2021); Jedrick Wills (Round 1, 2020); Jonah Williams (Round 1, 2019); Ryan Kelly (Round 1, 2016); Chance Warmack (Round 1, 2013); D.J. Fluker (Round 1, 2013); Barrett Jones (Round 4, 2013); James Carpenter (Round 1, 2011); Andre Smith (Round 1, 2009)

Day 2: Landon Dickerson (Round 2, 2021); Deonte Brown (Round 6, 2021); Ross Pierschbacher (Round 5, 2019); Bradley Bozeman (Round 6, 2018); Cam Robinson (Round 2, 2017); Arie Kouandjio (Round 4, 2015); Austin Shepherd (Round 7, 2015); Cyrus Kouandjio (Round 2, 2014); Mike Johnson (Round 3, 2010); Antoine Caldwell (Round 3, 2009)

Overview: Similar to running back, Alabama’s offensive line selections have been hit or miss. Players such as Ryan Kelly, Jonah Williams, Jedrick Wills and even Cam Robinson have all proven to be quality starters after being Day 1-2 picks. We’ve also seen a lot of guys, especially high-round picks, fail to live up to the hype.

Chance Warmack, D.J. Fluker and Cyrus Kouandjio immediately come to mind.

Surprisingly, only one offensive lineman selected in the third round or later has emerged as a quality starter, and that’s Bradley Bozeman. After starting multiple seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, the 2018 sixth-round pick signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.

What’s next: If there’s one offensive lineman who shouldn’t have an issue living up to his draft status, it’s projected top-10 pick Evan Neal. The IMG Academy product checked in at the NFL Combine at an impressive 6-7 1/2, 337 pounds, and he’s got the athleticism to complement his rare combination of measurables.

Chris Owens could also get a look as an undrafted free agent due to his versatility.

Specialists (2)

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
0	0	2

Day 1: None

Day 2-3: Thomas Fletcher (Round 6, 2021); JK Scott (Round 5, 2018)

Overview: Alabama doesn’t see many of its specialists drafted, but there have been a couple.

After spending some time out of the league, JK Scott is back on an NFL roster after signing with the Los Angeles Rams earlier this month. Meanwhile, Thomas Fletcher is battling for the snapper job with the Carolina Panthers.

What’s next: More than likely, the Crimson Tide will see its first kicker drafted — at least during the Saban era — in 2023 with Will Reichard. In 33 career games, the former Hoover (Ala.) standout has converted 176-of-178 extra points (98.9%) and made 40 of his 49 field goal attempts (81.6%).