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Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. Photo | Alabama Athletics
If Mock Draft Addicts Anonymous existed, I’m pretty sure my family would force me to attend the meetings. I’m not kidding. I blow through daily mock draft simulations the way a divorced dad goes through cigarettes.
And don’t expect me to stop just because this year’s NFL Draft wrapped up Saturday. Nah, now comes the good stuff.
No one has a clue about how next year’s draft will shake out. Shoot, we still aren’t completely sure who Alabama’s quarterback will be this fall. But don’t expect that to cease the ever-flowing sea of mock drafts.
And I’m here for it.
Sign me up for the way-too-early predictions and you-might-need-help mock drafts, especially with what could be an interesting Alabama draft class coming up.
After landing just two first-round selections this year, the Tide appears to have more NFL-ready talent on its roster this season. With that said, here are a few Alabama players I think will hear their names called on Day 1 in Pittsburgh next year.
Kadyn Proctor, OT
Kadyn Proctor struggled during his rookie season at Alabama but rebounded in a big way last year, serving as one of the Tide’s most dependable blockers. Now that the five-star lineman has found his footing at the college level, his biggest challenge might be sculpting his massive frame for the NFL.
Alabama lists Proctor at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds, but you’ll be shocked to learn that the team often fudges the numbers a bit to make their players look better on paper.
Proctor’s work in the weight room will be almost equally vital to his performance on the field. If the starting left tackle can play to his potential and show NFL teams he is serious about his physique, he’ll likely come off the board early next year.
Predicted landing spot — New York Giants
The Giants traded back into the first round Thursday night to draft former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Now they’ll need to protect him. At the moment, Dart is one of four quarterbacks New York’s roster, joining Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Tommy Divito. I’m not confident in any member of that bunch leading the Giants to many wins next season. That should put them in the perfect position to draft Proctor somewhere in the top 10.
Deontae Lawson, ILB
Deontae Lawson would have likely been a fringe first-rounder had he not suffered a season-ending ACL injury against Oklahoma last season. The setback saw the starting linebacker return to Alabama for a final season, which could end up improving his draft stock.
Lawson is currently viewed as one of the top returning linebackers in the nation. By next year’s draft, he’ll have three years of starting experience under his belt and will likely be a two-time team captain. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound defender has the athleticism and versatility to thrive at the next level. If he can add a bit more pass-rushing stats this fall, he should fall somewhere in the middle of the first round next spring.
Predicted landing spot — New England Patriots
First-year head coach Mike Vrabel needed to address offense in this year’s draft, but the former linebacker is going to want to solidify his defense for the future. Inside linebacker will be a need for the Patriots by next year, and Lawson’s gamer mentality should fit in with Vrabel’s hard-nosed approach.
James Smith, DT
Alabama’s elite defensive tackles have seemingly popped up out of nowhere in recent years. Just look at Quinnen Williams, Christian Barmore and Phidarian Mathis, who all used breakout seasons to propel themselves into first- or second-round selections.
It might seem like a bit of a reach now, but I’m predicting James Smith to take a similar step this fall. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defender brings elite athleticism to the defensive tackle position. He put that on display during the ReliaQuest Bowl last season, tallying a sack as part of two tackles for a loss. That performance included an equally impressive somersault celebration.
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Smith was limited this spring but should step into a prominent role on this season’s defense. He still needs to improve his discipline in pursuit, but I’m expecting a big season from the Montgomery, Alabama native.
Predicted landing spot — Los Angeles Rams
The Atlanta Falcons pass around first-round picks like sticks of gum. This year, the Los Angeles Rams were the beneficiaries of general manager Terry Fontenot’s reckless approach as they picked up the Falcons’ 2026 first-rounder for the No. 26 pick in this year’s draft.
With two first-rounders to play with next year, the Rams can afford to take a swing with a player like Smith. In doing so, they could make some draft history, as they are one of two teams yet to take an Alabama player in the first round.
LT Overton, EDGE
If college football kept a stat of getting frustratingly close to the quarterback without sacking him, LT Overton would have been among the nation’s best. According to Pro Football Focus, the five-star defender recorded 39 quarterback pressures last season, nearly twice as many as first-round pick Jihaad Campbell (20). Unfortunately, Overton only turned two of those into sacks.
Needless to say, that’s his primary goal entering his senior season.
“I felt like I left a lot on the table last year, especially sack-wise,” Overton said in March. “You know, pressures are cool and all, but what the guys really want to see is who’s really making that production. … I’m just trying to solidify that spot in the first round.”
He’ll do just that if he boosts his sacks total closer to the double-digit range this fall.
Predicted landing spot — Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens typically value versatility along the defensive front. At 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, Overton offers that by being able to play as an edge rusher or move inside as a smaller defensive tackle. The Ravens also love to take Alabama players, so this might be a match made in football heaven.
Germie Bernard, WR
I bet you were expecting to see Isaiah Horton here. After some of the nuggets I gathered from Alabama’s spring camp, it was tempting to go with the Miami transfer as a first-round selection. However, I’m expecting a breakout season from Germie Bernard instead. Well, as much of a breakout season as you can have after leading Alabama in receptions last season.
Bernard managed to snag 50 catches for 794 yards and a pair of touchdowns despite Jalen Milroe’s struggles as a passer late in the year. I’m betting he ups those totals significantly in what should be an improved passing setup this season.
Benard (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) won’t necessarily blow anyone away with his size or athleticism, but he offers a complete skill set as a receiver. He can play outside as a Z receiver or scrap with heavier defenders in the slot. He’s also a willing blocker in the run game.
He’ll need some big numbers to back up those skills, but I could see him putting together a statline of somewhere close to 65 catches, 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. That might be enough to get a team to bite late in the first round.
Predicted landing spot — Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is close but just can’t get over the hump in Buffalo. Perhaps a dependable and versatile target like Bernard is the final piece to the Bills’ quest to the Super Bowl. Buffalo will likely be picking late in the draft and could find itself in a position to take shot at the Alabama receiver.
Drink of the week — New Fashioned
We don't waste any time around here. Out with the old, and in with the new. Well, sort of. The draft is always going to be the draft, and an Old Fashioned is pretty much always going to be an Old Fashioned, no matter what you do to it.
Still, Alabama's newest draft prospects will look to put their own spin on things this fall, and that's what we're doing with this week's drink.
The New Fashioned is a play on ... you guessed it — the Old Fashioned. It's just a little sweeter.
To make it, you'll need 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of amaretto, 0.5 ounces of simple syrup and three dashes of bitters. Add the ingredients into a shaker and shake over ice. Then strain into a rocks glass to serve neat and chilled. Finally, garnish the drink with an orange peel and enjoy.
(Commercial break: My drink of the week section is now sponsored by my friends at Session Cocktails in Tuscaloosa. Session has been a mainstay in Tuscaloosa’s cocktail scene since 2019 and offers some of the tastiest drinks in town. Stop by and tell them I said hi!)
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