This year’s NFL draft was held virtually for the first time due to coronavirus concerns, but Alabama stood strong. The Tide still managed to post strong 1st and 2nd rounds. Tua was the top pick for Bama, going at #5 to Miami. Saturday, however, saw no additional Crimson Tide alum come off the board.
Four offensive players were taken during round 1, while five defensive standouts were selected through rounds 2-3. No Alabama players were selected between rounds 4-7. The Crimson Tide managed to produce its third highest number of selections in a single NFL Draft. The most it has produced was 12 during the 2018 NFL Draft.
LSU led all teams in the field, while breaking Alabama’s program and SEC record (12) by producing 14 picks. Their previous high was 9 picks, accomplished in 2014, headlined by WR Odell Beckham Jr. Joe Burrow was LSU’s top prospect this year, and was expected to go 1st overall. Cincinnati picked Burrow at #1 overall, making him the third consecutive QB picked there.
Alabama’s 2020 NFL Draft picks:
5. QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
10. OT Jedrick Wills, Cleveland Browns
12. WR Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders
15. WR Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
36. S Xavier McKinney, New York Giants
51. CB Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys
56. DL Raekwon Davis, Miami Dolphins
84. LB Terrell Lewis, Los Angeles Rams
87. LB Anfernee Jennings, New England Patriots
The Tide became the first team to produce four first-round draft picks on offense in one draft since USC in 1968. Ruggs and Jeudy became the fifth wide receiver teammates picked in the first round and the first to go in the Top 15.
Miami took Tua at number 5, making Tagovailoa the first Alabama quarterback taken in the first round since the Jets took Richard Todd with the No. 6 pick in 1976. He was also the first Alabama quarterback to be drafted in the first round under Nick Saban. That feat made him the first head coach to ever produce first-round picks at all non-specialist positions.
“We are certainly very excited for Tua and his family.” Saban remarked in a press release. “This means as much to me as any player ever for what he was able to accomplish here, not only as a player but as a person.”
While nine former Alabama players rather ecstatic to extend their careers, there were some that didn’t get the call. DBs Jared Mayden and Shyheim Carter and guard Matt Womack will have to wait for an offer.
