Alabama and first round draft picks have become synonymous in recent years at the NFL Draft. And that doesn’t appear likely to change in 2023 as three potential first rounders declared for the April 27th affair Monday morning.
QB Bryce Young, LB Will Anderson Jr, and RB Jahmyr Gibbs announced that they would be leaving the Crimson Tide to enter the Draft.
Young threw for 3,328 yards with 33TDs and only 5INTs on the year to go along with a 64.5% completion percentage. His most recent outing was a 45-20 come from behind victory over 11th ranked Kansas St. in the Sugar Bowl where he threw for 321yds and 5TDs in the win.
Were it not for his diminutive stature (Alabama lists him as 6’ 194lbs, however most scouts agree those measurements are extremely generous), Young would likely be the consensus number 1 overall selection this spring.
Instead, Young will vie for the top spot alongside Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, and Kentucky’s Will Levis, as the QB desperate Houston Texans are likely to land the first selection in April.
Joining Young atop the draft board will be LB/EDGE Junior Will Anderson Jr. Anderson totalled 51 tackles (24 solo, 27ast) with 10 sacks, while seeing regular double teams for Alabama.
The 6’4” 243lbs Georgia native projects to be a plug and play Day 1 starter in the NFL with all the physical tools scouts covet at the next level. A back-to-back Bronko Nagurski trophy winner, Anderson led the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss, while also leading the nation in pressures with 50.
While he’s likely to go in the draft’s top 3 selections, the versatile defender’s floor is a top 5 draft pick in the spring.
Rounding out the Crimson Tide’s trio of potential 1st rounders is Jahmyr Gibbs, who could flirt with late first, early second round potential at the draft.
Standing 5’11” and weighing 200lbs, Gibbs is a bruising rusher who plays much larger than his measurements would suggest. The former Georgia Tech transfer led Alabama in rushing yards with 926 while also showcasing his pass catching ability out of the backfield with 44 receptions.
Gibbs hopes to join a long list of Crimson Tide running backs currently active in the NFL. A list that includes Kenyan Drake, Damien Harris, Najee Harris, Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram, Josh Jacobs, and Brian Robinson Jr.
While Monday’s announcement only highlighted Young, Anderson Jr. and Gibbs, head coach Nick Saban remarked “There may be other guys in the future who make decisions about what they do.”
Death, taxes, and Alabama producing high level NFL talent. Some things never change.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
Photo: The University of Alabama. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.