Dominance Series: First-Round Draft Picks
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Over the week on BamaInsider.com, our staff will highlight the dominance of Alabama football. Today, we continue the series with First-Round Draft Picks, examining Alabama's success in the NFL Draft.
Overview
It's hard to describe with words the dominance Alabama has displayed in the NFL draft recently. Numbers do the Crimson Tide a little bit more justice.
Alabama has had a player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft the past nine seasons, dating back to 2009. Over that span, the Tide has produced 22 first-round picks, the most of any school in the nation. This past draft was no different, as Marlon Humphrey, Jonathan Allen, O.J. Howard and Reuben Foster were all taken on the first night, allowing Alabama to tie the SEC record for most first-round selections in a single draft.
Outside of holes at noseguard and quarterback, you could seemingly make a starting offense and defense with the first-rounders selected under Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Imagine a starting secondary of Marlon Humphrey, Dre Kirkpatrick and HaHa Clinton-Dix. What about a linebacker unit featuring C.J. Mosley, Dont'a Hightower and Reuben Foster.
On the offensive side, the Tide could line up Andre Smith, James Carpenter, Ryan Kelly, Chance Warmack and D.J. Flucker across its offensive line. Add Julio Jones and Amari Cooper at wide receiver, O.J. Howard at tight end, Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram at running backs, and it wouldn't matter who is throwing the ball.
| Year | Player/Position | Drafted | Rivals ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 |
Marlon Humphrey/DB |
No. 16, Baltimore Ravens |
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2017 |
Jonathan Allen/DL |
No. 17, Washington Redskins |
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2017 |
O.J. Howard/TE |
No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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|
2017 |
Reuben Foster/LB |
No. 31, San Francisco 49ers |
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2016 |
Ryan Kelly/C |
No. 18, Indianapolis Colts |
|
|
2015 |
Amari Cooper/WR |
No. 4, Oakland Raiders |
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|
2014 |
C.J. Mosley/LB |
No. 17, Baltimore Ravens |
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2014 |
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix/DB |
No. 21, Green Bay Packers |
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2013 |
Dee Milliner/DB |
No. 9, New York Jets |
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2013 |
Chance Warmack/G |
No. 10, Tennessee Titans |
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2013 |
D.J. Fluker/OT |
No. 11, San Diego Chargers |
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2012 |
Trent Richardson/RB |
No. 3, Cleveland Browns |
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2012 |
Mark Barron/S |
No. 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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2012 |
Dre Kirkpatrick/CB |
No. 17, Cincinnati Bengals |
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2012 |
Dont'a Hightower/LB |
No. 25, New England Patriots |
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2011 |
Marcell Dareus/DT |
No. 3, Buffalo Bills |
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2011 |
Julio Jones/WR |
No. 6, Atlanta Falcons |
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2011 |
James Carpenter/OT |
No. 25, Seattle Seahawks |
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2011 |
Mark Ingram Jr./RB |
No. 28, New Orleans Saints |
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2010 |
Rolando McClain/LB |
No. 8, Oakland Rainders |
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2010 |
Kareem Jackson/CB |
No. 20, Houston Texans |
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|
2009 |
Andre Smith/OT |
No. 6, Cincinnati Bengals |
What's made them successful
There’s no doubt recruiting has been important to the Tide’s success. Half of Alabama’s 22 first-round selections under Saban were rated as five-stars coming out of college. Smith was the No. 2 overall player in the 2006 class, while Jones (No. 4 overall in 2008), Fluker (No. 3, 2009), Richardson (No. 6, 2009), Clinton-Dix (No. 7, 2011) and Marlon Humphrey (No. 9, 2014) were all former top-10 players in their respective classes as well.
However, Alabama has also shown an ability to develop talent at the next level. Kelly, Warmack and Marcell Dareus all entered the Tide’s program as three-star recruits. All three went on to help Alabama win national championships before moving on to the NFL.
Alabama has had some draft busts along the way, namely Richardson and cornerback Dee Milliner. However, there are also several former Crimson Tide players starring in the NFL. Hightower and Jones played instrumental roles for the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons respectively during last season’s Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Cooper looks to be one of the games most promising young stars. With four former Alabama players in this year’s first-round class, more Tide superstars appear to be on the way.
What to expect this season
Alabama's first-round dominance doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay projects the Tide to break this year's SEC record of four first-round picks with five next season.
McShay has wide receiver Calvin Ridley leading the bunch going No. 5 to the Minnesota Vikings. Following Ridley is defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 10 to the Miami Dolphins), running back Bo Scarbrough (No. 14 to the Philadelphia Eagles), defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (No. 18 to the San Diego Chargers) and defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne (No. 32 to the New England Patriots).
Other potential first-rounders on the Tide's roster include linebacker Rashaan Evans, safety Ronnie Harrison and JUCO transfer Isiah Buggs.
Alabama Football Dominance Series By BamaInsider.com