2024 NFL Draft Preview: Key info on Alabama's top draft hopefuls
Tonight is the night several former Alabama players’ lives will change forever as the 2024 NFL Draft is set to take center stage in Detroit, Michigan, on three different TV networks.
HOW TO WATCH
Round 1 – Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC / ESPN / NFL Network
Rounds 2-3 – Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. CT on ABC / ESPN / NFL Network
Rounds 4-7 – Saturday, April 27: 11 a.m. CT at ABC / ESPN / NFL Network
Alabama has dominated the draft of late, with the Crimson Tide producing 44 first-round picks and 123 total selections in the last 15 years, more than any other college team. The impressive run under now-former coach Nick Saban will continue tonight and into the weekend, while Saban looks on from his new seat as part of ABC’s draft broadcast crew.
Last year, Alabama saw three former players go in the first round, and at least three players are expected to come off draft boards in the first 32 picks tonight, which would give UA 16 straight drafts with a first-round pick. The Tide passed Miami (1995-2008) last year for the most consecutive drafts with a first-round selection. In addition to the first-rounders, there are eight total former Alabama players ranked among the top 254 prospects by CBS Sports.
BamaOnLine looks at 10 draft prospects, their position rankings, projected rounds, pre-draft visits and quotes about them from analysts before the Chicago Bears are on the clock.
DALLAS TURNER, EDGE
Position ranks: No. 1 EDGE, No. 10 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 1, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Cardinals, Falcons, Bears, Chargers, Vikings, Giants
Notable quote: “He’s a physical freak and he jumps out. He’s one of the most explosive players in the draft this year. He’s expanded his pass rush repertoire and he’s not a one-trick pony. He plays strong at the point of attack, and he has the chance to be a dominating pass rusher.
“He has to continue to get stronger, but his numbers are freakish. He can do a lot of things. He needs to be more effective in the run game but his upside of being a dominant edge rusher is unbelievable. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the first edge player taken.” – former NFL head coach Mike Smith
TERRION ARNOLD, CB
Position ranks: No. 2 CB, No. 13 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 1, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Cardinals, Falcons, Broncos, Lions, Texans, Eagles, Steelers, Titans
Notable quote: “He has the flexibility of playing corner or nickel which is important because you don’t want a guy who you can’t move inside and play nickel. When they can do that, it gives the defensive coordinators a lot more leeway in what they can do in terms of eliminating the elite athletic wide receivers.”
“He’ll be another starting corner in the NFL. He’s got great speed and explosiveness to match any of the athletic NFL wide receivers. He’s good.” – former NFL head coach Mike Smith
JC LATHAM, OT
Position ranks: No. 5 OT, No. 19 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 1, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Cardinals, Bears, Bengals, Cowboys, Jets, Steelers, Titans
Notable quote: Bulldozer in human form with the upper- and lower-body power to forcibly evacuate run lanes and instantly upgrade a team’s ground attack. Latham’s body type is girthy, and he has elite drive-blocking talent. He has operated in a variety of run schemes but will be an average move blocker both laterally and when climbing to the second level. His pass sets are well-balanced with good initial quickness and active hands.
“He unleashes lefts and rights and mirrors effectively after contact but gets beaten by inside moves when he over-sets. He has the length and hand strength to shut rushers down but needs to become more comfortable setting diagonally rather than vertically to avoid sinking too deeply into his own pocket. Latham’s size, strength and talent give him a chance to become a heralded right tackle or Pro Bowl-caliber guard.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY, CB
Position ranks: No. 5 CB, No. 29 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 1, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Falcons, Lions, Packers, Texans, Jaguars, Giants, Eagles, Steelers, Buccaneers, Titans
Notable quote: “Three-year starter and former five-star prospect with a quirky name and consistent game. McKinstry is patient and well-groomed in matching the outside release and riding the inside release from press. He’s confident to handle business on an island and is able to stay in phase as the route travels vertically. He’s not overly fast but does play with plus acceleration to close out crossing routes or make aggressive plays on the catch point.
“As with most college corners, McKinstry will need to transition some of his open-field hand usage into quality footwork to avoid downfield penalties. He’s more aggressive in coverage than he is as a tackler and could find himself forced to prove his toughness in that area. McKinstry is more of a pure cover man than a playmaker, but his poise, intelligence and athleticism should lead him toward becoming a good outside corner with scheme versatility.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
CHRIS BRASWELL, EDGE
Position ranks: No. 7 EDGE, No. 45 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 2, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Broncos
Notable quote: “Edge defender with good size and length but limited playing time over his four years at Alabama. Braswell chose to stick it out at Alabama rather than transferring and was rewarded with a productive final campaign. He doesn’t play with great technique or anchor as an edge-setter and is average in taking on in-line tight ends at the point of attack.
“As a pass rusher, he gets off the ball with good burst and uses a variety of moves, speeds and angles to create opportunities but needs to add counters to his approach. Braswell might have a ceiling as a good 3-4 backup or average designated pass rusher with core special teams value.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
JUSTIN EBOIGBE, DL
Position ranks: No. 16 DL, No. 159 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Rounds 5-6, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Steelers, Buccaneers
Notable quote: “Tweener with solid power but below-average snap explosiveness and quickness, which prevents him from making more plays. Eboigbe plays base end and can slide inside when needed, but lacks the anchor and power associated with most Alabama interior defenders. He’s more than capable of bullying tight ends as a base end but will need to move inside as a pass rusher. Eboigbe’s NFL frame and strong pop at contact could create an opportunity for him to compete for a backup role in 4-3 or 3-4 schemes.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
JERMAINE BURTON, WR
Position ranks: No. 34 WR, No. 200 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 5, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Packers, Jaguars
Notable quote: “While the catch totals and yardage weren’t necessarily prolific, Burton’s tape is very appealing. He has pretty good size and plays bigger than he measures. He can fight through press, get physical at the break point and carve out space on 50/50 balls.
“Burton wasn’t asked to run an extended route tree, but he has the traits and ball skills to work all three levels against NFL cornerbacks. He caught a touchdown pass every 5.7 grabs during his college career, but he would have scored even more if not for some mistimed throws when he had opened the window wide. Burton’s athletic profile and ball skills create confidence that he can become a solid WR2/3 in the league.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
JASE MCCLELLAN, RB
Position ranks: No. 21 RB, No. 254 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 7/Priority Free Agent, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: Cowboys
Notable quote: “Steady three-down running back with the size and skill set that should create a roster opportunity for him. McClellan lacks explosiveness but gets it done with above-average vision and know-how. He’s quick to process his lane choice and smooth getting from cut to cut. He has good-not-great burst and appears to be better suited for gap and inside-zone runs.
“He runs with excellent pad level and loose hips, creating impressive contact balance to extend runs through contact. The numbers don’t shine in the passing game, but he’s very capable of handling all aspects of third-down football. He’s an instinctive runner with three-down talent who could end up outplaying his draft slotting on the right team.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
WILL REICHARD, K
Position ranks: No. 4 K, No. 304 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 5, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: N/A
Notable quote: “Highly experienced in high-level matchups inside the SEC and in the College Football Playoff. Reichard kicks with consistent lift. He’s as close to automatic as you will find under 40 yards and can make 50-plus yard kicks with a high success rate but has average leg strength by the standards of today’s NFL.
“Reichard needs to prove he can plant a higher percentage of kickoffs as touchbacks, but his accuracy and talent should give him a strong chance at being drafted in the middle rounds and becoming a starting NFL kicker.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
JAYLEN KEY, S
Position ranks: No. 30 S, No. 409 overall, per CBS Sports
Projected round: Round 7/Priority Free Agent, per NFL.com
Pre-draft meetings: N/A
Notable quote: “UAB transfer who started the full 2023 season for the Tide. Key has the size and play strength of an NFL safety but is not as active or consistent as he needs to be as a run defender. He’s a decent athlete and can cover straight-line routes but doesn’t play with enough route anticipation or make-up burst to contest many catches.
“Key’s physical traits work in his favor, but he needs to have a definable play trait as either a run defender or in coverage, and that seems to be missing.” – NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein
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