The Nick Saban era at Alabama officially ended with the 2024 NFL Draft. The Tide had ten players drafted through seven rounds in Detroit, three in the first round. Saban had 47 players drafted in the first round from 2009 to 2024. It is time for Kalen DeBoer to make his mark for the Alabama program. He will have a whole season to make an impression on an inpatient fanbase. DeBoer will have some help with the leaders on the team. Both quarterback Jalen Milroe and guard Tyler Booker want to help the Tide compete for a national title, even with a new coaching staff. They can, however, benefit significantly by raising their stock for the 2025 NFL Draft. Kalen DeBoer could have a great first cast of draft picks in his first season at Alabama.
Could Alabama continue success in the Draft under Kalen DeBoer?
Two Players Could Find Their Way Into The First Round
The ink hasn’t even dried yet on the names of players drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and yet, multiple media outlets made 2025 NFL Mock Drafts left and right. Don’t like it, tough Schmidt. These way-too-early Mock Drafts are how analysts and fans evaluate players early for the 2024 season and the 2025 draft. Two players for Alabama have found their names in the first-round list often.
While they are likely candidates for the bottom half of the first round, currently, it just means they will go to better teams. Milroe is projected to the Los Angeles Rams (17th or 18th overall) by Bleacher Report or by Eddie Brown of the San Diego Tribune. Fox Sports’ Rob Rang has Milroe to the Cleveland Browns with the 18th overall. The Rams have an aging quarterback and a great mentor, Sean McVay. The Browns have a ticking timebomb at quarterback. There is a lot of work for Milroe to go through to be ready for the NFL. DeBoer, however, did turn a promising, injury-prone former Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into a top-ten pick. Once Milroe develops more in the pocket and with his accuracy, he can be a problem for opposing defenses.
As for Booker, there is plenty of upside. Booker is already an established run-blocker, especially in zone-blocking. Once the Tide gets established with a new offensive line coach, Booker will be set. Booker has been projected to 32nd overall by Rang to the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs by Dane Brugler of The Athletic. Brown has Booker one pick ahead of his quarterback at 17th overall to the Chicago Bears.
Other Players That Could Be First-Round Draft Picks
Booker and Milroe are not the only Tide players who could be first-round draft picks for Alabama next April. Not many expected cornerback Terrion Arnold to be the elite cornerback to go in the first round. Three transfers that come immediately to mind are junior cornerback Domani Jackson, redshirt sophomore Parker Brailsford and junior slot Germie Bernard. Teams are looking for elite corners, stable interior offensive linemen and fast slot receivers now more than ever.
Veteran Alabama players that could be first-round picks are graduate student defensive back Malachi Moore, linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell and junior running back Jam Miller. Miller is a player who could explode under a new offense.
Could the Tradition Break in Year One?
There could be a situation where the Tide might not see a player drafted in the first round since the 2008 NFL Draft. This was after the first season of the Saban era when he didn’t have the elite talent to work with. Fast forward to this season, there is a significant amount of elite talent, but many left to transfer portal after Saban retired. DeBoer and Alabama have the talent to get players selected in this next draft, but players like Booker and Milroe have a lot to prove.
Eric Froton of NBC Sports doesn’t have a single player for the Tide in his initial Way-Too-Early Mock Draft for the 2025 Draft. This isn’t a criticism of the Tide or Booker or Milroe. There is almost a year for these players and others to get into a groove and start dominating. Milroe, Booker and DeBoer have a lot of things to prove this 2024 college football season.
