Through the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, Alabama has sent 9 former players to the National Football League. Today we recap the NFL Draft.
Marlon Humphrey goes No. 16 to Baltimore Ravens in NFL Draft
Marlon Humphrey became the first Alabama player selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday night when he was taken with the No. 16 pick in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens. His selection extends Alabama’s streak of nine straight years with at least one first-round selection, the longest active streak by any school.
Last season, Humphrey earned first-team All-America honors by the Football Writers Association of America after recording two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and five pass breakups. He was part of an Alabama secondary that finished No. 24 in pass defense, allowing opponents 197.9 yards per game through the air.
A redshirt sophomore last season, Humphrey leaves the Crimson Tide after just two seasons at Alabama. Marlon is the son of former Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey, who played five seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins.
Jonathan Allen goes No. 17 to Washington Redskins in NFL Draft
Jonathan Allen became the second Alabama player selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday night when he was taken with the No. 17 pick in the first round by the Washington Redskins. Allen is the first Crimson Tide defensive lineman selected in the first round since Marcell Dareus was taken with the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft by the Buffalo Bills. He joins Marlon Humphrey who was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 16th overall pick as Alabama players selected in this year's draft
Allen wrapped up a successful season last year, earning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Ted Hendricks Award and Lombardi Award. He earned unanimous All-American honors, leading Alabama in sacks (10.5) and quarterback hurries (15). Allen finished tied for second on the team with 16 tackles for a loss and recovered three fumbles, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He was also voted one of Alabama’s four permanent team captains by his teammates.
Projected as a possible top-five pick, one reason for Allen's fall in the draft might have been due to injury concerns. The 6-foot-3, 286-pound defensive lineman has dealt with labral tears in both of his shoulders which have left him with moderate arthritis. However, Allen was informed by doctors that effects from the condition shouldn’t arise until 15-20 years down the road.
O.J. Howard goes No. 19 to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL Draft
O.J. Howard became only the seventh tight end since 2007 to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night when he was taken with the No. 19 overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former Alabama standout becomes the first Crimson Tide tight end to be selected in the first round since 1978 when Ozzie Newsome was selected with the No. 23 pick overall by the Cleveland Browns. Howard joins Marlon Humphrey (No. 16, Baltimore Ravens) and Jonathan Allen (No. 17, Washington Redskins) becoming the third Alabama player taken on the night.
Howard was selected as a third-team All-American by The Associated Press and earned second-team All-SEC honors after recording 45 receptions for 595 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-6, 251-pound tight end excelled in both of Alabama’s national championship games the past two seasons, tallying four catches for 106 yards and one touchdown last season and five catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns the year before.
Hailed for his abilities as both a blocker and a pass catcher, Howard is viewed as the most complete tight end in this year’s draft class.
“I think you’re going to get a great receiver, but you’re also going to get a complete guy that can block well,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said of Howard during the Tide’s pro day. “I think he’s done really really well in how he’s represented himself at the combine and in these workouts.”
Reuben Foster goes No. 31 to San Francisco 49ers in NFL Draft
After a long wait, Reuben Foster is finally off the board. The former Alabama linebacker was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 31 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, becoming the fourth Crimson Tide player to hear his name called Thursday night.
Foster joins Marlon Humphrey (No. 16, Baltimore Ravens), Jonathan Allen (No. 17, Washington Redskins) and O.J. Howard (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) as Alabama tied a SEC record with four players selected in the first round.
The 49ers traded with the Seattle Seahawks to move up to the 31st pick.
Foster, the winner of the Butkus Award, earned unanimous All-American honors, leading Alabama with 115 tackles while tallying 13 tackles for a loss, five sacks and eight quarterback hurries. He was also voted as one of Alabama’s four permanent team captains by his teammates.
While there is no question of what the 6-foot, 229-pound linebacker can do on the field, numerous off-the-field issues might have caused Foster to slip in the draft. The linebacker underwent surgery on a torn right rotator cuff earlier this offseason, preventing him from participating in the NFL combine. He was then sent home from the combine after getting into a heated argument with a hospital worker and later admitted to failing a drug test due to a diluted urine sample.
During an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, Foster said his shoulder is at “100 percent” and that he will be ready for training camp. He also defended the failed drug test, attributing it to being sick and drinking an excessive amount of fluids before the combine.
NFL Network reported Thursday night that Foster's medical re-check revealed more serious issues with his shoulder.
Cam Robinson goes No. 34 overall to Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Draft
Cam Robinson became the first Alabama player taken on Day 2 of the NFL Draft on Friday when he was selected with the No. 34 overall pick in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The offensive lineman is the fifth Crimson Tide player to be selected in this year's draft, joining Marlon Humphrey (No. 16, Baltimore Ravens), Jonathan Allen (No. 17, Washington Redskins), O.J. Howard (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Reuben Foster (No. 31, San Francisco 49ers) who were all selected in the first round Thursday night.
Last season Robinson earned the Outland Trophy and the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy after leading an Alabama offensive line that helped the Crimson Tide average 38.8 points per game. The 6-foot-6, 322-pound offensive lineman also earned unanimous All-American honors. Robinson started at left tackle for every game of his three-year college career and was voted as one of the Tide’s four permanent team captains by his teammates last season.
Robinson is projected to move to either guard or right tackle at the next level.
Ryan Anderson goes No. 49 overall to Washington Redskins in NFL Draft
Ryan Anderson is teaming up with Jonathan Allen in Washington D.C. The former Alabama linebacker became the second Crimson Tide player taken on Day 2 of the NFL Draft on Friday when he was selected with the No. 49 overall pick in the second round by the Washington Redskins.
Anderson is the sixth Alabama player to be selected in this year's draft, joining Marlon Humphrey (No. 16, Baltimore Ravens), Allen (No. 17, Washington Redskins), O.J. Howard (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Reuben Foster (No. 31, San Francisco 49ers) and Cam Robinson (No. 34, Jacksonville Jaguars).
Anderson earned All-SEC honors last season, leading Alabama with 19 tackles for a loss while compiling nine sacks and 10 quarterback hurries. He also returned an interception for a touchdown and forced four fumbles, recovering two.
The 6-foot-2, 253-pound linebacker didn’t receive as much recognition as some of Alabama’s other star players but was viewed as one of the biggest leaders in the Tide’s locker room last season.
Dalvin Tomlison goes No. 55 overall to New York Giants in NFL Draft
One of the Alabama's biggest forces on defense last season is headed to the Big Apple. Dalvin Tomlinson became the seventh Alabama player off the board when he was selected with the No. 55 overall pick in the second round by the New York Giants. Tomlinson joins Marlon Humphrey (No. 16, Baltimore Ravens), Jonathan Allen (No. 17, Washington Redskins), O.J. Howard (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Reuben Foster (No. 31, San Francisco 49ers), Cam Robinson (No. 34, Jacksonville Jaguars) and Ryan Anderson (No. 49, Washington Redskins) as fellow Alabama draftees.
Alabama's seven selections tied the record for most draftees by a school over the first two rounds of a single draft.
An underrated part of Alabama's defense last season, Tomlinson collected 62 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, with three sacks, seven quarterback hurries and four pass breakups. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive lineman was especially dominant in stopping the run, as 55 of his tackles game on running plays.
Tomlinson has plenty of athleticism for his size. He was a three-time heavyweight wrestling champion in high school, a sport he claims helped him perfect his technique on the defensive line.
Tim Williams goes No. 78 overall to Baltimore Ravens in NFL Draft
The wait is finally over for Tim Williams. The former Alabama linebacker will join Marlon Humphrey in Baltimore as he was selected with No. 78 overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night.
Williams became the eighth Alabama player selected in this year's draft, following Humphrey (No. 16, Baltimore Ravens), Jonathan Allen (No. 17, Washington Redskins), O.J. Howard (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Reuben Foster (No. 31, San Francisco 49ers), Cam Robinson (No. 34, Jacksonville Jaguars), Ryan Anderson (No. 49, Washington Redskins) and Dalvin Tomlinson (No. 55, New York Giants).
A dangerous pass-rusher off the edge, Williams earned second-team All-SEC honors last season, tallying nine sacks, 16 tackles for a loss and 12 quarterback hurries. At one time he was projected to be a first-round pick. However, concerns over his ability to contribute outside of being a pass-rusher as well as off-the-field issues caused his draft stock to take a hit.
Williams admitted to failing multiple drug tests while at Alabama. He was also suspended for the first half of the game against Kentucky last season after being arrested on a misdemeanor gun charge.
ArDarius Stewart goes No. 79 overall to New York Jets in NFL Draft
ArDarius Stewart became the ninth Alabama player selected in this year's NFL Draft when he was taken with the No. 79 pick overall in the third round by the New York Jets.
The wide receiver joins Marlon Humphrey (No. 16, Baltimore Ravens), Jonathan Allen (No. 17, Washington Redskins), O.J. Howard (No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Reuben Foster (No. 31, San Francisco 49ers), Cam Robinson (No. 34, Jacksonville Jaguars), Ryan Anderson (No. 49, Washington Redskins), Dalvin Tomlinson (No. 55, New York Giants) and Tim Williams (No. 78, Baltimore Ravens) as Alabama draftees.
Last season Stewart earned All-SEC honors, leading Alabama in receiving with 864 yards and eight touchdowns on 54 catches despite playing in just 12 games. Serving as the leader of the receiving unit, he was praised not only for his pass-catching abilities but also as a blocker. He embraced the unit's "assassins" nickname, often carrying an axe or a sledgehammer on the sidelines.
