NFL Draft 2011: Where Alabama's Boys May Land
Powerhouse schools like Alabama always have multiple players being drafted into the NFL each year. After the championship run, seven Crimson Tide players were picked up by teams, while several others on the team dabbled as undrafted free agents.
This year there won't be quite as many, but three players are almost guaranteed to go in the first round. They may not play for the Tide anymore, but after what they did for the team, it's exciting to see where they end up in their post-collegiate careers.
What teams are looking at Alabama's players this year? Let's look at them in reverse draft order.
The Longest Shot: Wide Receiver Earl Alexander
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First up is Earl Alexander.
The odds of him getting signed as a free agent are slim, let alone being drafted. He's currently listed between 400-500 when ranking best players draft eligible.
Alexander was an active member of the team but never really produced much. After playing in a lot of games over his four year career, he never managed to crack double digits in catches.
He does, however, have an ideal body to be a wide receiver. At 6'4", 215 lbs., he just might be able to sneak into some team's camp.
Tight End/H-Back/Fullback/Swiss Army Knife: Preston Dial
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When Colin Peek graduated Preston Dial finally got his chance to show what he had in 2010. He only had 25 receptions for 264 yards, but those are really good numbers for a tight end, and most of those catches were at critical moments.
He's not the fastest tight end (he ran a 4.84 at the combine) but he has the size shuck players in the secondary. He's also a bit more agile than a typical tight end. He can just about do it all.
He's a very aggressive blocker and the Tide squeezed every drop out of him doing so. He also had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, showcasing how great he is at run-blocking.
He's a top 250 talent, and even if he doesn't get drafted he's sure to make it somewhere as an undrafted free agent.
What team would pick him up, though, is anybody's guess.
Possible the Smartest Quarterback Alive: Greg McElroy
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Greg McElroy is listed by many as a top 150-200 talent.
He's not the ideal quarterback, he doesn't quite have the zing on his throws that teams prefer and he won't be burning anybody with his wheels.
'Bama's messy red-haired son has a set of other strengths that are sought after.
First off, he's smart. He scored a 48 out of 50 on the Wonderlic. Now, the Wonderlic isn't everything, but it's an excellent display of how quickly the player can think. There have been good quarterbacks with low Wonderlics, and bad quarterbacks with high Wonderlics. Vince Young reportedly scored a six. Look how he turned out.
The Wonderlic also gives a good measure of a players ability to learn a playbook. Having a backup that knows the playbook by heart is invaluable.
McElroy also played in a pro-style offense, which is very sought after by some coaches seeking an easy transition.
The San Francisco 49ers are rumored to be quite fond of TCU quarterback Andy Dalton, but they are still the most likely team to take McElroy. He would fit in perfect with a west coast offense.
I wouldn't be suprised to see the Patriots take him, either. Head coach Bill Belichick likes smart quarterbacks.
Whatever happens, Greg McElroy may be the biggest steal of the year. He should be picked up before the 4th round is over. It's very possible, though, for him to spend his career as a backup, but he's the ideal backup.
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Offensive Tackle: James Carpenter
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Over the past two years not much was said about James Carpenter. You only hear about an offensive lineman when he's playing poorly. Most of McElroy's sacks this year didn't come from James' side of the ball.
After starting at left tackle for the Tide the past two years, Carpenter was able to turn a few heads. He's listed by most as a top 100 talent, and a top 10 at offensive tackle.
He doesn't quite have the skill set, size, or foot speed to excel as a left tackle in the NFL, but he's a shoe-in at right tackle.
It would be a shock to see him still on the board when the fourth round begins.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely give him the once-over.
Everyone needs a reliable lineman.
Heisman Winner: Mark Ingram
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'Bama's golden boy Mark Ingram brought a unique skill set to Alabama. While he lacks top-end speed he has a greater burst than most running backs. He had the fastest 10-yard split at the combine. That's a first down, fellas.
As the consensus No. 1 running back in the draft, there are several teams in the market for a workhorse like Ingram, but most wouldn't spend a first round pick on one.
The Miami Dolphins, however, have a dire need for a good running back, and almost every draft-head out there has them picking up Mark Ingram with the 15th overall pick.
His father played there for a few years and Nick Saban coached there, so he has higher than average ties to the team. That might not even count for anything, though.
Juuuuuuuuulio
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Julio Jones battled nagging injuries through much of his career, but he finally broke the 1000-yard mark this past season.
He is the consensus No. 2 wideout in the draft, just behind Georgia's A.J. Green. Jones would fit into certain schemes better than Green, however. Julio is certainly the better blocker of the two.
He also stole the show at the combine, and did it all on a broken foot. He's officially a cyborg anyway with that metal plate in his hand.
Green will still come off the board first, which will leave Julio ending up in St. Louis. The Rams need a weapon for the young Sam Bradford, and Julio is about as weaponish as you can get. With the talent between the two of them they could create something of legends.
And the Top Prospect from Bama: Marcell Dareus
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Even a less than stellar year due to an ankle injury couldn't stop Marcell Dareus from raising eyebrows.
He's tough, physical, has a motor that just wont quit, and he's in an excellent position; several teams this year are switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3.
Dareus can play as either a tackle or and end on the defensive line, a highly marketable quality.
His opponent, Nick Fairley, was listed as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the draft prior to the combine. Dareus, however, showed up to the combine and wowed the pants off everybody. Most now consider him to be the top prospect over the one-year-wonder Fairley.
The Denver Broncos filled their need at corner by resigning future hall of famer Champ Bailey, so it's not likely they will pick up Patrick Peterson with the second overall pick.
They are moving to a 4-3 defense this year because of their atrocious run-stopping last year, and they need a reliable, risk-free prospect, and Dareus is perfect for them.
There are many teams this year that will be drafting a lineman in the first round, so in the unlikely event the Broncos don't take Dareus, someone else will snag him.
Next Year Will Have a Whole New Crop
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Well, that's it for players getting paid this year.
The 2011 season is sure to see several 'Bama players prove they are NFL worthy, and some already have.
Who else is excited about watching them do it?
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