Why the Draft Stock of an Alabama Player is Rising After Senior Bowl: All Things CW

The NFL announced invitations for the upcoming combine in Indianapolis, with former Crimson Tide players receiving the most with 13.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Feb 8, 2023 3:37 PM EST

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

The All Things CW notes column by Christopher Walsh appears in five parts each week, with the latest on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This is ...

Take 3

The list of players invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine was released on Wednesday afternoon, giving the first strong indication of how many Alabama Crimson Tide players might be drafted this year.

It's simple math. There are a minimum of 224 picks in the NFL draft each year, barring forfeited selections. However, there are always more depending on how many compensatory picks are awarded, which is why Brock Purdy was No. 262 when he became Mr. Irrelevant as the final person taken last year.

This year, 319 prospects were invited to attend the combine, which will take place in Indianapolis, Feb. 28-March 6. At least 50 won't be selected.

Alabama had 13 former players on the list, the most of any school:

Will Anderson Jr., LB
Jordan Battle, DB
Brian Branch, DB
DJ Dale, DL
Emil Ekiyor Jr., OL
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
DeMarcco Hellams, DB
Cameron Latu, TE
Eli Ricks, DB
Tyler Steen, OL
Henry To'oTo'o, LB
Bryce Young, QB
Byron Young, DL

The question moving forward will be how many of them will go through drills and workouts, or do anything more than interview with teams.

One has to think we probably won't see Anderson or Bryce Young do anything on the field as they're already widely considered to be top-five selections, and probably can't increase their draft stock any more.

It might be tough for any of the Crimson Tide players to help their chances.

One of the advantages of playing for Alabama and Nick Saban is exposure, as the team is always in the spotlight and the coach has an open-door policy when it comes to the NFL.

This was re-affirmed during last week's Senior Bowl, where everyone knows the practices with an NFL coaching staff is a lot more more important than the game. Just six of the 13 players invited to the combine were in Mobile, and no one in a high-profile position.

That's primarily why there was so little news about the Crimson Tide players. There's only so much one can say about run-stuffing defensive linemen or a safety who — and this will sound harsh but that's not the intention — will probably be the third at the position selected from Alabama.

Brian Branch, who some are calling a first-round talent, and Jordan Battle will be players to watch through the rest of the draft process. Factor in cornerback Eli Ricks, and the final day of the combine when defensive backs go through drills will be the most telling for this year's Crimson Tide draft class.

Tight end Cameron Latu was someone who hoped to turn heads at the Senior Bowl and show that he's better than some of the mid-round prospects, or even Luke Musgrave of Oregon State. He might have done that, but the player who really stepped up was Payne Durham of Purdue, who was able to successfully show different facets to his game.

Latu did fine, but he's still probably a mid-round projection with most teams.

So who fared the best among the Alabama players?

That's easy, the offensive linemen, Tyler Steen and Emil Ekiyor Jr., who both demonstrated an important quality for players who may not project to quickly challenge for starting jobs: versatility.

Ekiyor showed that he can play center in addition to guard. That'll keep him on a lot of draft boards, especially since he's so technically solid.

For Steen, though, who doesn't have ideal size or strength to play tackle at the next level, showing he can play other positions was absolutely crucial. He did that, which could help make him a day two selection (second or third round).

Our colleagues at NFL Draft Bible said of Steen: "A cerebral player who eyes shifts and stunts, Steen moves extremely well but lacks upper body strength. However, his lower body strength and bend make up for the difference, as he can blow defenders off the line—he’s a strong candidate to be the second ‘guard’ off the board."

Consequently Steen was the big winner of the Crimson Tide group in Mobile, and one of the few Alabama draft prospects riding a lot of momentum heading into Indianapolis.