Skip to main content

New on SI: Alabama Has Record-Tying Six First-Round Picks

The Alabama NFL factory continues to churn out blue chip prospects at a record-setting clip.

View the
original article to see embedded media.

Every season, Alabama sends a surplus of talent to the NFL draft. This year, the Crimson Tide has taken that tradition to record-setting heights.

Six Alabama players were taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft Thursday night, tying the all-time record by Miami in 2004.

When the Canes Ruled the Draft: The Year Miami Had Six First-Rounders

Wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith each went in the top 10 to the Dolphins and Eagles, respectively, joining former Alabama quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II also went in the top 10, getting picked by Denver at No. 9.

After speculation that he could go as high as No. 3, quarterback Mac Jones slipped to No. 15, where the Patriots drafted him to compete with incumbent starter Cam Newton. The Raiders took offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood two picks later at No. 17.

The Steelers made Najee Harris the first running back drafted when they selected him with the No. 24 pick.

The strong draft showing this year continues the run of success from Alabama's 2017 recruiting class. That group has produced eight first-rounders over the past two drafts, with Smith, Jones, Leatherwood and Harris getting picked this year. Last year's draft featured 2017 signees Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, all of whom were taken in the top 15.

More NFL Draft Coverage:

Labels

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

New on SI: Everson Griffen Is Sorry for Calling Kirk Cousins ‘Ass’

His return to the Vikings is just a little awkward. He was right, though  Everson Griffen is back with the Vikings. Whether all his teammates are happy to have him back remains to be seen. Griffen was a key member of the Minnesota defense from 2010–19, averaging 7.5 sacks per season and making the Pro Bowl four times. After his most recent Pro Bowl season, in 2019, he signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys. He didn’t make much of an impact in Dallas and got traded to the Lions, where he faced the Vikings in the final game of the season. A few days after that game, Griffen shared his thoughts on his former teammate Kirk Cousins, saying he was “ass” and asking if anybody thought Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was the one who wanted Cousins in Minnesota. Now, that’s an opinion shared by a majority of NFL fans, but what makes Griffen’s tweets really weird is that they came while he was trying to get the Vikings to bring him back. Seriously! The day after the Vikings–Lions game, ...
Read more

New on SI: Dolphins Select Jaylen Waddle With No. 6 Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

After winning the national championship at Alabama, Jaylen Waddle is now heading to the NFL. View the original article to see embedded media. Jaylen Waddle went from suffering a presumed season-ending ankle injury to winning  the national championship last season.  He's now headed to the NFL after the Dolphins selected the wide receiver at No. 6 in the 2021 NFL draft.  Waddle started the 2020 college season with a bang at Alabama last fall, topping 120 receiving yards in four consecutive games to start the season. He tallied 557 yards on 25 catches, adding with four touchdowns during the stretch. Waddle missed six games after suffering a high-ankle sprain against Tennessee. He returned to the field in before suiting up for the national title game. While visibly limping at times, the wideout hauled in three catches for 34 yards. "My hat's off to him," head coach Nick Saban said when Waddled declared for the draft . "I had the same injury, so I know...
Read more

New on SI: Report: Packers GM Stands Firm, Still Against Trading Aaron Rodgers

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is contractually obligated to report to the team's mandatory three-day minicamp starting June 8. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is reportedly "still holding firm" to not trade quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, according to The Athletic .  The report cites the upcoming week as a critical point in the ongoing saga. If the team waits until after June 1 to trade Rodgers, it will save $16.05 million in cap space. Meanwhile, Rodgers is not contractually obligated to report to the team until June 8 when a mandatory three-day minicamp begins.  If the reigning MVP does not show up, he would be fined $15,515 for the first day, $31,030 for the second day and $46,540 for the third day, under the current collective bargaining agreement. Rodgers, who is under contract until 2023, has not reported to the voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) that began last week and will miss out on a $500,000 workout b...
Read more