Getty Images Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young speaks with the media at the 2023 NFL Combine.
The Alabama Crimson Tide sent more than a dozen players to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, and though just a few are widely considered first-round prospects, most, if not all, of the group should expect to hear their name called when the draft arrives April 27-29.
From the likely No. 1 overall selection to a bevy of valuable depth players, this year’s Crimson Tide draft class is quite strong.
Take a look at where each of the Tide’s top prospects stands following combine, which was held February 27-March 6.
Projected Day 1 Picks (Round 1)
Bryce Young: If Young, a quarterback, is taken as the No. 1 overall selection, it would be only the second time in program history, after Harry Gilmer, who was the top pick in 1948. Young, who won last season’s Heisman Trophy, is projected to go as one of the first few picks in the draft, after odds-on favorite C.J. Stroud of Ohio State. Young measures in at 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds. Despite his not working out at the combine, he is still regarded by many as the top quarterback in the class, if not the top player overall. “What really separates Young … is his intangibles,” according to Pro Football Focus.
Will Anderson Jr.: Anderson, unlike his former quarterback, chose to participate in many workouts and display his skills as an edge rusher. The former five-star recruit posted a 4.6-second time in the 40-yard dash, putting him in a league with other elite edge rushers. At least one mock draft projects him going No. 3 overall. “Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson left little doubt as to who the best non-quarterback prospect in the draft is,” wrote Jeremy Layton of The New York Post.
The agility of Will Anderson on full display in these positional drills.
Not only is he quick off the snap, but he’s a smooth operator in space. Helps him a lot in pursuit.
Brian Branch: Branch, a cornerback, was a former top-five high school player in his native state of Georgia. At the combine, he posted a 4.58 second 40-yard dash and a 10.5-foot broad jump, as well as 14 reps on the bench press, which was tied for eighth at his position. The hard-hitting defensive back prospect is projected by many to be selected in the mid- to late first round. “In every way, Branch checks the boxes of what you’d want in a defensive back,” according to The Athletic’s Diante Lee.
Projected Day 2 Picks (Rounds 2-3)
Jahmyr Gibbs: The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket running back lit the college football world on fire after transferring to Alabama in 2022. At the combine, he showed exactly why the Tide was so interested in ever bringing him in. Gibbs posted a blazing 4.36 second 40-yard dash time and showed off his elite footwork in several workouts, running through drills with ease. Though Gibbs dominated the combine, the value for running backs is at an all-time low, so the speedster is projected to be a second round pick, despite his elite talent.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ footwork is TOO smooth 😳
The Alabama RB said last week that he believes his game compares to that of Alvin Kamara.
Eli Ricks, Jordan Battle and Byron Young: While these three players were present at the combine, none of the trio did much to improve or hurt their individual draft stocks. Ricks, a cornerback, created a memorable moment when he told reporters he felt like he should be the first overall pick himself, but did not anything in terms of working out. Battle, a safety, participated in some drills and workouts, posting a 4.55 second 40-yard dash and 17 reps on the bench press. Young, a defensive end, opted for the vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and bench press where he posted middle of the pack numbers on each. As of now, these three players look to be late day two selections.
Projected Day 3 Picks (Rounds 4-7)
Tyler Steen: Steen’s draft stock varies widely among projections, so it’s likely the former Vanderbilt Commodore offensive lineman will hear his name called sometime on Day 3. Steen participated in the vertical jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle and the bench press. While his numbers were somewhat pedestrian in many events, he posted the fourth most reps on the bench press of all offensive linemen with 31.
Cameron Latu: Latu, citing a hamstring issue, did not participate at this year’s event, but did interview with teams. The tight end impressed scouts with a solid performance at the Senior Bowl in January, but his stock remains in the early to mid day three range for many of the draft’s top analysts.
Emil Ekiyor, D.J. Dale and Demarcco Hellams: Ekiyor, prior to the combine, was viewed by many as a late-round pick who could provide depth at guard. But after participating only in the bench press and posting one of the worst results among offensive linemen, the former Crimson Tide leader could be in jeopardy of not hearing his name called at all. The same goes for Dale, a tackle, and Hellams, a safety, who both posted subpar numbers in the events they participated in.