Criticism of Alabama Draft Picks in NFL Is Hugely Overblown
The video is almost too good to believe.
Trent Richardson, then a freshman, took a routine handoff from Greg McElroy against Arkansas in the middle of the second quarter. The Razorbacks defense swarmed in the backfield, but Richardson used his raw power and strength to break at least five tackles in the backfield before galloping 52 yards for an electric touchdown run.
Thus began the legend of Trent Richardson. Two years later, when he came out for the draft, he seemed as close to a sure thing as there was at running back. He was big (5'9", 228 lbs), fast and quick.
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But three seasons after he was taken with the No. 3 overall pick in 2012, he hasn’t made much of an impact with two different teams. He’s the poster child for criticisms that Alabama players are overrated in the NFL.
They’re too tired or don’t benefit from the precise Nick Saban coaching, the argument goes.
But those arguments don’t take the entire picture into account, and they’re too hyperfocused on a small sample of failings instead of the big picture, which is that a lot of former Alabama players are thriving in the NFL. It’s a tired argument that can hopefully be put to rest sooner rather than later.
"I mean, who does it better? I'm a little bit confused," Saban recently told USA Today Sports’ Nate Davis. "I don't know if it's just the expectation that these guys are all supposed to be something unique. "I'm kind of proud of what our players have been able to accomplish when they leave here."
To answer Saban’s question, few do it better than Alabama.
According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Alabama has 47 players on an active NFL roster. That puts the Crimson Tide at No. 5 behind only football powerhouses Miami, Florida State, LSU and USC.
That includes players who came from the so-called dark years of Alabama football, when it was on probation in the early 2000s and struggling through mediocrity. Only in the last few years have the Crimson Tide caught up.
Per Davis, since 2009, the year Saban won his first championship at Alabama and Richardson made that famous run, the Crimson Tide have had 41 players drafted, tying them for top honors with LSU.
At the moment, no one is putting players into the NFL better than Alabama. And there’s no indication that will change anytime soon.
It had eight players drafted last season, including two in the first round. CBSSports.com currently lists 10 Alabama players with a grade of 7-FA or higher.
The Crimson Tide just pulled in their fifth straight No. 1 recruiting class, per 247Sports. The talent is going to continue to churn through Tuscaloosa.
And, sure, while there have been a fair share of players who haven’t panned out in the NFL, it hasn’t been widespread in the least. For every Trent Richardson there are more players having success. Alabama players are thriving at the next level.
Just this year, former linebacker C.J. Mosley finished second in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first year. Eddie Lacy continued his strong career after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year last season.
Dont’a Hightower capped a standout year in New England by making the defensive play of the Super Bowl—before Malcolm Butler one-upped him one play later—tackling Marshawn Lynch on the 1-yard line to set up Butler's game-winning interception.
Julio Jones is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Dre Kirkpatrick has faced criticism as one of Alabama’s draft busts but finished a big year with two interceptions of Peyton Manning. The list goes on and on.
Alabama players also deal with higher expectations than most. The Crimson Tide are one of the most high-profile teams in college football, competing for championships seemingly every year.
It happens in recruiting. Some recruiting experts admit they’ll rate a player a little higher if Alabama offers or starts pursuing him. Alabama has the track record of winning and developing top talent, so it makes sense that if it is pursuing a kid, he’s probably pretty good.
It’s a similar effect in the NFL. Mel Kiper Jr. has said that the mid- to low-round picks probably get a “half-a-round bump up” just because of the school they went to. That in turn puts more pressure on them to succeed and under an even more intense microscope for people to point out their failures if they don't work out.
It’s easy to focus on the Richardsons, Mark Barrons or, say, Dee Milliners of the world who don’t pan out. But that’s a fact of life in the NFL.
A look at the big picture shows that Alabama is doing just fine sending players to the next level.
Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes and reporting were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.
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