5 Alabama players that could be selected on Day 1 of the NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday night and as usual, there are a number of Alabama players that will likely be selected in the first round. Here’s what you need to know before Day 1:

• What: 2024 NFL Draft First Round
• When: Thursday, April 25 at 7PM
• Where: Detroit, Michigan
• Watch: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Alabama has had at least one first round pick in 15 consecutive drafts and that streak is expected to continue this year.

Let’s take a quick look at 5 Crimson Tide players who could hear their names called Thursday night + look ahead to the rest of the weekend and what other in-state colleges will be represented before the end of the draft.

Dallas Turner, linebacker

Most of the talk around the 2024 draft has been about top-level offensive talent including a quarterback class that is expected to have a major impact on the league. However, it’s not all about offense and one of the most talked about defensive players comes from Tuscaloosa.

Dallas Turner finished his collegiate career with 22.5 sacks across 38 games in three seasons at Alabama. He was one of the team captains on last year’s team and was a consensus All-American. Now, he’s expected to be a first round pick in the NFL Draft but there is some disagreement about how long he will stay on the board.

Here’s a look at some of the projections for Turner heading into draft night:

• ESPN Mel Kiper’s Big Board: 9
• ESPN Jordan Reid’s Mock Draft: 9 to the Bears
• CBS Ryan Wilson’s Mock Draft: 19 to the Rams
• The Athletic Mock Draft: 8 to the Falcons

JC Latham, offensive lineman

Latham started 25 games at right tackle during his career with the Crimson Tide. In his final season, he was named a first-team All-SEC + second-team All-American.

“Latham is a mountain of an offensive tackle who is light on his feet. I really like the way he explodes out of his stance. He’s tough at the point of attack. He blows defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game, driving and sustaining his blocks in space.”

~ ESPN’s Mel Kiper

Here’s where some of the experts believe Latham will be taken Thursday night:

• ESPN Mel Kiper’s Big Board: 11
• ESPN Jordan Reid’s Mock Draft: 16 to the Steelers
• CBS Ryan Wilson’s Mock Draft: 18 to the Bengals
• The Athletic Mock Draft: 11 to the Chargers

Kool-Aid McKinstry, defensive back

A native of Pinson, Kool-Aid McKinstry has made his name known throughout the state of Alabama for several years. The Pinson Valley star was named Mr. Football in 2020 before going on to have a remarkable three year career with the Crimson Tide.

McKinstry had a pair of interceptions and 23 pass breakups in 42 games. He also averaged nearly 12 yards on punt returns at Alabama. But his impact goes well beyond the stats, and NFL scouts have taken notice.

“McKinstry has the physical tools, and is also smart and plays with discipline. He gave up 19 receptions on 39 targets this past season for just 205 yards and one touchdown. He’s very smooth in coverage and is equally as good in zone coverage as he is in man.”

~ NFL.com

After being a highly-touted recruit in high school, McKinstry spent much of the last three years as a projected top-10 pick but that projection has lowered a bit, maybe more so out of team needs than anything else. Here’s a look at the latest projections on McKinstry, some of which have him waiting until Friday to be selected:

• ESPN Mel Kiper’s Big Board: 35
• ESPN Jordan Reid’s Mock Draft: 31 to the 49ers
• CBS Ryan Wilson’s Mock Draft: 34 to the 49ers
• The Athletic Mock Draft: 28 to the Jaguars

Terrion Arnold, defensive back

After not playing as a freshman, Arnold exceeded anyone’s wildest expectations over his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. In 25 games, he recorded:

• 108 tackles
• 20 pass break ups
• 6 interceptions + 1 fumble recovery

Arnold has put himself in position to possible be the first defensive back off the board Thursday night. Here’s what Jordan Reid had to say about the possibility of Arnold being added to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team already loaded with Alabama talent:

“The Eagles are good at forecasting future needs and getting ahead of them. They haven’t drafted a cornerback in the first round since 2002 (Lito Sheppard), but after a defensive collapse in the second half of last season, that might change. Darius Slay and Pleasant Grove native James Bradberry are the projected starters, but they will be 33 and 31 years old at the start of next season, respectively. Arnold is an effortless mover with versatility and ball skills; he had five interceptions last season.

~ ESPN’s Jordan Reid

Here’s a look at all of the projections for Arnold:

• ESPN Mel Kiper’s Big Board: 21
• ESPN Jordan Reid’s Mock Draft: 12 to the Eagles
• CBS Ryan Wilson’s Mock Draft: 15 to the Colts
• The Athletic Mock Draft: 13 to the Raiders

Chris Braswell, linebacker

Braswell is unlikely to go in the first round but it wouldn’t be a shock to see a team reach for a linebacker if they see a need to fill on the roster. Braswell is listed as the #4 outside linebacker on Mel Kiper’s Big Board.

During his time at Alabama, Braswell played in 41 games, often playing second or third fiddle to the likes of Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner. But he still made an impact, recording 10.5 sacks, forcing three fumbles and returning an interception for a touchdown last season.

Here’s where he ranks in the latest projections, all of them having him selected Friday night:

• ESPN Mel Kiper’s Big Board: 49
• ESPN Jordan Reid’s Mock Draft: 50 to the Broncos
• CBS Chris Trapasso Big Board: 35
• The Athletic Mock Draft: 75 to the Bears

What to watch for Friday and Saturday

The NFL Draft continues into the weekend with rounds 2 + 3 happening Friday night starting at 6PM. Rounds 4-7 will be Saturday, starting at 11AM.

Those in crimson will not be the only ones watching to see where their favorite players go. There’s several colleges from around the state that could be represented before it’s all said and done. Here’s a look at some of them along with their rankings on Mel Kiper’s Big Board:

• Will Reichard, Alabama, K3
• Justin Eboigbe, Alabama, DE7
• Jaylin Simpson, Auburn, S8
• DJ James, Auburn, CB14
• Carter Bradley, South Alabama, QB15
• Marcus Harris, Auburn, DT18
• Jase McClellan, Alabama, RB22
• Gunner Britton, Auburn, OG31
• Zareon Hayes, Alabama A&M, OLB33
• Mikey Victor, Alabama State, CB49
• Terrell Gardner, Alabama A&M, WR68

Which player do you want to see at the next level? Let us know your thoughts by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn!