Getty Image / Tim Warner
For years, Alabama dominated the NFL Draft with Head Coach Nick Saban churning out pro prospect after pro prospect as he created and then sustained an Alabama football dynasty not seen since the Bear Bryant years. As we all know, he retired following last season, and was replaced by former Washington Head Coach Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa.
While Alabama is expected to once again contend for a national title this year in DeBoer’s first season, they have a dearth of top draft-eligible prospects. So much so, in fact, that prestigious NFL Draft guru Dane Brugler completely left the Crimson Tide out of his guide of the Top 50 draft-eligible prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Brugler, who works for The Athletic, is most-known for his annual “Beast” draft preview, which is probably the most in-depth publicly available draft breakdown of anyone. While most of the mainstream focus revolves around Mel Kiper Jr.’s work at ESPN, Brugler might just be the best in the business right now.
When his first big board for the 2025 NFL Draft class came out on Wednesday, not a single Alabama Crimson Tide player was ranked in the fifty-player list.
That seems hard to believe. It’s not like they’re supposed to take a huge step back. Alabama is ranked 5th in the AP Preseason Poll. But, their best players are either underclassmen like true sophomore left tackle Kadyn Proctor or guys who may not fit the NFL prototype at their position like quarterback Jalen Milroe.
One player on the list, wide receiver Isaiah Bond, transferred from Alabama to Texas in the offseason.
That being said, I’m sure that Dane Brugler would bet on the Crimson Tide having a player get their name called in the first-round next April. There is too much talent on the roster for someone not to emerge, especially in the defensive front 7. Expect a player like Jaheim Otis or Jihaad Cambpell to quickly move up draft boards this year.
If Jalen Milroe can make improvements as a passer under the tutelage of a quarterback guru like DeBoer, his name could be called early, as well. NFL teams are pretty open to taking non-traditional quarterbacks early on as long as they show some development as a passer.
Ultimately, Alabama is a much more talented team than one that doesn’t have anyone in the top 50 NFL Draft prospects.