Another year, another opportunity for Alabama to dominate th
Another year, another opportunity for Alabama to dominate the NFL draft.Though the Crimson Tide's 2022 draft cla s won't be
Blank Jersey as top-heavy as in recent years, this group has plenty of talent who project as first-, second- and third-round picks. Depending on how NFL teams draft, Alabama could produce yet another group with 10 or more draftees.MORE:There is no question who the first of those players will be: Evan Neal has a unique blend of size, athleticism and technique that should ensure he's off the board no later than 10th. Another player to watch out for is Jameson Williams, who despite tearing his ACL in the national championship game stands to be among the top wideouts taken.The Tide have other players to consider in Day 2 of the draft, including Christian Harris, John Metchie III and more. Until those picks are made official, The Sporting News projects where each player might head, and where they best fit in the 2022 NFL Draft:NFL Alabama mock draft 2022 (Getty Images) Evan Neal, OTTexans, third overall, first roundAt 6-7, 350 pounds, Neal is the most physically imposing of the three players in consideration for the top overall tackle. Despite his incredible size, he is freakishly athletic with tremendous technique and consistency in both rush- and pa s-blocking. It's po sible he slips as far as No. 5 to the Giants, but the Texans could use a player of Neal's caliber as a book-end right tackle opposite
Jeff Bagwell Jersey Laremy Tunsil. Getty Images Jameson Williams, WREagles, 18th overall, first roundWere it not for a torn ACL, Williams might garner top-10 consideration in the draft. As it stands, his blazing speed and ability to ruin opposing defensive coverages make him a first-round lock. Williams who led the FBS in 2021 with 12 touchdowns of 20-plus yards and 11 touchdowns of 30-plus yards would be an excellent addition to the Eagles' receiving corps, both as an upgrade in a make-it season for Jalen Hurts and as a complement to second-year receiver DeVonta Smith. Getty Images Christian Harris, LBEagles, 51st overall, second roundDepending on what Philadelphia does with its two first-round choices, it could use its third pick of the draft to pick up its second Alabama player in Harris. A three-year starter for Nick Saban, Harris' strengths perhaps lend themselves to more of a weak-side linebacker role. He's not as physical as previous Alabama linebackers, but has tremendous speed and agility to be a chase-and-tackle defender (as evidenced by his 4.44 40-yard dash). The Eagles need to shore up their linebacking corps and pa s rush, and Harris, who had 11 1/2 tackles for lo s, 5 1/2 sacks in 2021, could satisfy those needs without a first-round pick. Getty Images John Metchie III, WRPackers, 59th overall, second roundAnother Alabama receiver who tore his ACL, Metchie is an average-sized receiver who does a lot of things well but doesn't have any outstanding traits. That said, Metchie figures to slot in as a Day 1 contributor as long as his ACL recovery goes as planned; he's an above-average route runner with good hands and a history of running pro route trees. He can line up pretty much anywhere, providing
Houston Astros Jersey Aaron Rodgers a versatile young weapon to help displace the lo s of Davante Adams. Getty Images Phidarian Mathis, DTBuccaneers, 60th overall, second roundThe Bucs could very well addre s the defensive line in the first round, but it's po sible there won't be a first-round talent left by the time they pick 27th overall. If that's the case, Phidarian Mathis would be an intriguing second-round option at No. 60 overall: He's staunch against the run and was surprisingly effective as an uphill pa s-rusher in 2021, totaling 10 1/2 tackles for lo s and nine sacks. This is an area of need with Ndamukong Suh, Steve McLendon and Pat O'Conner's futures all tenuous in Tampa. Getty Images Brian Robinson Jr., RBBroncos, 96th overall, third roundThe Broncos are in need of another back to complement Javonte Williams now that Melvin Gordon has hit free agency. They could get that in Brian Robinson, who made the wise decision to return for his "super senior" year in 2021; he finally got the chance to shine
Roberto Osuna Jersey as the featured back after sitting behind Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris, rushing for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's a physical north-south runner who drives through tackles and has underrated pa s-catching ability. Getty Images Jalyn Armour-Davis, CBColts, 122nd overall, fourth roundJalyn Armour-Davis is a one-year starter who looks more like a project than a finished (or even developing) product. That said, he has a prototypical size (6-1, 194 pounds) and skill set that suggests he can excel in pre s-man coverage. If he can clean up some of his technique and learn to play with his back to the ball, his 4.39 speed can make him a long-term starter. The Colts may consider Armour-Davis considering they traded Rock Ya-Sin and have apparently moved on from Xavier Rhodes. Getty Images Josh Jobe, CBBills, 168th overall, fifth roundJosh Jobe turned in a disappointing senior season, which he revealed in the pre-draft proce s was partly the result of a foot injury he played through all year. That said, Jobe's size (6-1, 194 pounds) and physicality didn't make up for some deficiencies in his technique, which limits his projections: He could contribute as a Cover 2 corner, or perhaps even a safety. The Bills have a need at this position following an injury to TreDavious White and Levi Wallace's departure in free agency. Getty Images Christopher Allen, LBLions, 234th overall, seventh roundChristopher Allen has an unfortunate
Carlos Lee Jersey injury history attached to him, mi sing the entire 2018 season and all but one game of the 2021 season (which ended with Allen strip-sacking Miami quarterback D'Eriq King). That said, Allen has the size (6-4, 242 pounds) and skill set to develop into a starter, including some decent pa s-rush and coverage abilities. Dan Campbell will need to flesh out his linebacker unit more, even with the return of Jarrad Davis in 2022. Perhaps Allen warrants a seventh-round pick. Getty Images Slade Bolden, WRBuccaneers, 261st overall, seventh roundIt's just as likely Slade Bolden goes undrafted this year but the opportunity is right there for the Buccaneers to give quarterback Tom Brady a with the penultimate pick of the draft. Bolden stands to be an adequate if unremarkable slot receiver who takes what the defense gives him. Whether Tampa considers that worth its final pick of the draft remains to be seen.