Mel Kiper Jr. gives his take on several potential Alabama draftees
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper released his latest NFL mock draft Thursday with four Alabama players projected to be selected in the first round.
In what he called a “great class” for Alabama, Kiper tabbed defensive Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 6, New York Jets), receiver Calvin Ridley (No. 8, Chicago Bears), defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne (No. 17, Los Angeles Chargers) and linebacker Rashaan Evans (No. 28, Pittsburgh Steelers) as first-rounders in this season’s NFL Draft.
Fitzpatrick, the Chuck Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award winner last season, is widely thought to be one of the most polished prospects in this year’s draft. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound defensive back was one of Alabama’s four permanent team captains this season and finished fourth on the team with 60 tackles and third with eight tackles for a loss.
“Minkah Fitzpatrick’s one of the best players in this draft,” Kiper said. “He can play corner, he can play safety, a slot, everything. He’s got it all.”
Kiper was also very complimentary of Ridley, who was the first receiver taken in his mock draft. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound wideout was by far Alabama’s biggest receiving threat this past season with 63 receptions for 967 yards and five touchdowns. He also pulled in the game-tying touchdown against Georgia in the fourth quarter of the College Football National Championship Game.
“Calvin Ridley I pushed up to 8. I think in most drafts he’d be probably more of a mid-first, but in this draft, he’s the best receiver,” Kiper said. “That’s what the Bears need.”
Perhaps no Alabama player helped himself more than Payne, who skyrocketed up draft boards after earning defensive MVP honors in both the Sugar Bowl and the national championship game, combining for eight tackles and an interception between the two games. According to Kiper, the 6-foot-2, 308-pound defensive tackle is the next in a line of great Alabama defensive linemen to make it to the NFL.
“Da’Ron Payne was a key guy all year for them,” Kiper said. “They needed that. They needed a guy to be like Marcell Dareus, A’Shawn [Robinson] and [Jarran] Reed. He was better than that. He had a great year. I have him going to the Chargers, they have the worst per-carry average allowed in the NFL at almost five yards a carry. They had a little soft belly in the interior, and that would help them.”
The last Alabama player in Kiper’s mock draft is Evans, who finished with tied for the team lead with 74 tackles while leading the Crimson Tide with 13 tackles for a loss. Like Fitzpatrick, Evans was one of Alabama’s permanent team captains and offers leadership both on and off the field.
“There’s a wide range on Evans, who I think is a heck of a player,” Kiper said. “He can play inside, he can get after the quarterback, he can move outside for some pass-rush situations. I think Evans is a guy if he’s there at Pittsburgh’s selection at No. 28 he’d be a heck of a choice.”
Kiper was also asked about running back Bo Scarbrough, who decided to forgo his senior season at Alabama despite a somewhat disappointing year last season. Scarbrough finished with 596 yards and eight touchdowns on 124 carries. During Alabama’s news conference to announce juniors declaring for the draft, he did not reveal his draft grade.
“He runs a little high, does have the injuries, but he did have some really productive games last year,” Kiper said. “I think you’re looking at probably a fourth- through sixth-round pick… I think he can make an NFL team, but I think he goes somewhere on Day 3, probably in that 4-6 range, I’d even say 5-6.”
On the other hand, Kiper praised junior running back Damien Harris for his decision to stay at Alabama for his senior season. Harris led the Crimson Tide with 1,000 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He also ranked No. 12 in the nation averaging 9.64 yards per carry.
“I think that was a wise move on his part,” Kiper said. “He did not finish strong and had a lot of games where he had one big carry that led to him having a high average per carry.”
Kiper was also asked about All-American center Bradley Bozeman, who was also a permanent captain for Alabama this past season. While Kiper commended the senior for a solid college career, he said Bozeman in unlikely to be selected in the draft.
"I think Bozeman is just an over-achieving college center,” Kiper said. “Did a heck of a job for Alabama and got the most out of his ability. I think the limitations will lead to him probably being an undrafted free agent, late-rounder, priority free agent. He'll have to battle and scratch and claw to get onto a roster."
Bozeman will be one of four Alabama players on the South roster for next week’s Senior Bowl. The offensive lineman will join defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand as well as cornerback Levi Wallace and punter JK Scott. Evans and cornerback Anthony Averett were also thought be participating in the game but were announced as scratches on Thursday. Linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton will attend the event, but will only participate in interviews while recovering from a season-ending knee injury.
The Senior Bowl will kick off in Ladd-Peebles Stadium at 1:30 p.m. CT on Jan. 27. The game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network.