Rising Tide
April 25, 2019
By Jay Evans
The Alabama Crimson Tide have won five championships in the past decade. Nick Saban’s recruiting classes have ranked first in the country four times in the past five years. It is no coincidence that the NFL has taken notice of the talent that cycles through Tuscaloosa on an annual basis.
The Crimson Tide had the most players from one school represented in the NFL (44 players on active 53-man rosters, three more were suspended, and seven were on practice squads) at the start of last season and the number is sure to grow in the upcoming draft.
The Redskins have used their last three picks in the top 50 of the draft on Alabama players and will open the season with six former Crimson Tide members on the active roster. Five of the current “Alabama-Skins” will be starting on defense. The biggest offseason addition, Landon Collins, along with the past two first-round picks, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne – the core of the Redskins defense – are all from Alabama.
Alabama held a second “pro day” on April 2, and as Craig Hoffman of 106.7 The Fan reported no other team was more represented than the Washington Redskins. The likelihood of the Redskins drafting one the Alabama Crimson Tide available in the NFL draft isn’t overtly high, but let us take a look at a number of the players the Redskins could be of interest and how likely it is that they become Redskins.
Quinnen Williams, DT, is 6’4”, 303 lbs
Stud. Lock for the top 5. Although Quinnen may wind up a perennial all-pro, the Redskins utilized the past two first-round draft picks at the same position, from the same school, and just resigned Matt Ioannidis. We can move along. Chances of the Redskins drafting Q. Williams: 0%
Jonah Williams, T/G, 6’4”, 302 lbs
One of the safest picks in the entire draft. Supremely intelligent, Williams started as a true freshman. He won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best offensive lineman, after his junior year and elected to forego his senior season. Projected to go in the middle of round one, this pick would make a ton of sense for the Redskins. Williams could immediately fill the hole at left guard and also serve as the Redskins’ swing tackle. Jonah offers good draft value and can fill a void, but after utilizing a top draft pick on a guard four years ago the Skins may be reluctant to use another on the same position while other positions on the team can be upgraded. Chances of the Redskins drafting Williams: 7%
Irv Smith, Jr., TE
Smith is a move tight end and an adept blocker who could be the next middle of the field threat for an NFL offense. He isn’t great at any one thing. Irv needs work at sealing off the edge at the attack point in his blocking game and can improve his route running by developing his stems in the passing game. Smith has all the physical requirements (6’2”, 240 lbs, 4.6 second forty time, 110 inch broad jump, 7.32 3-cone drill) for the position and his weaknesses are teachable, making him a strong candidate in the second round. Definitely a possibility, but may not be available at pick 46 for the Redskins as Irv could be drafted early in round two. Chances of the Redskins drafting Smith: 26%
Christian Miller, OLB
Aggressive rush linebacker at a premium position who could be available at a premium value. Struggled with injuries at times throughout his time at Alabama, but Christian’s athleticism is a strength. The former five-star recruit’s father, Corey Miller, played for eight seasons in the NFL and recorded 8.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as a regular defensive contributor. Steady floor with a high upside for this day two pick. Could go as high as late round two or low as round four. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 19%
Deionte Thompson, S
Going into the season Deionte was a preseason top ten possibility in the draft, but he failed to live up to the lofty expectations. Whether due to “red-shirt junior-itis” or the talk was solely media hype, Thompson still has an extremely high ceiling and could be a gem of a prospect still available in the third round. Physically, he is on the slight side in terms of ideal height/weight, but at 6’1” and 190 lbs he is plenty big and has shown the desire to throw his whole body into the fire. Perfectly fits a single high safety system where he is able to play the ball in the air. Thompson playing opposite Landon Collins could become one of the better safety combinations in the league. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 28%
Mack Wilson, LB
Stop me if you haven’t heard this before about an Alabama prospect: Mack Wilson was a former five-star recruit. Part of the Crimson Tide machine, Mack played special teams and H-back on offense before getting the opportunity to man the middle of the defense. Wilson is a candidate to play in any defensive scheme, but might struggle to become a “splash” player, having amassed only seven tackles for loss in the past two years. The results could be a symptom of poor instincts or lack of experience. Mack is a safe pick that could be off the board between rounds two and three. He would immediately provide depth and a could be a special teams star early in his career. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 16%
Josh Jacobs, RB
Solid running back could go in first round or early on day two. Redskins will not draft a running back before round seven because of solid depth at the position after re-signing Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice coming back after his ACL injury, and Chris Thompson as the utility back. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 0%
Damien Harris, RB
See Above. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 0%
Ross Pierschbacher, OG
Versatile guard who has played 43 games for the Crimson Tide at all three interior offensive line positions. The former four-star recruit has experience and moxie, but struggles in anchoring against top competition and his weakness was exposed in combine measurables. On the field he is a fighter and worthy of a day three pick somewhere in between sixth or seventh round. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 8%
Saivion Smith, CB
An early entrant into the draft, Saivion is a well-built corner suited for a press-man scheme on the outside. At 6’1” and 200 lbs, Saivion was a former five-star recruit who initially signed with LSU coming out of high school. Smith was benched early in the season, but regained playing time due to mounting injuries in the backfield. The curious case with this cornerback prospect is he could have returned to school and with some technique improvement could be a day two pick, but there are a number of questions circling Smith’s desire and behavior. Could be chosen anywhere on day three or go undrafted entirely. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 9%
Isaiah Buggs, IDL
Buggs played the base end in the Crimson Tide defense rotation and will move inside in the NFL. After aging out of high school, Buggs went the JuCo rout before eventually catching on with Alabama. The solidly built Buggs could catch on as a rotational defensive tackle in the league, but athleticism was exposed at the combine. Poor testing will drop Buggs into the latter half of day three. Chances of the Redskins drafting: 1%
Every team in the NFL was represented at the second evaluation day and Nick Saban has encouraged teams to come to Tuscaloosa throughout his tenure. The open-door policy has stimulated growth in the program and prospects aware of increased scrutiny from the NFL has fostered healthy competition and developmental growth.
Though every team is represented at the event, the Redskins contingent was sixteen personnel deep including president Bruce Allen, VP of Player Personnel Doug Williams, Director of College Scouting Kyle Smith, Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky, and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula. The event allows further evaluation without a media presence and the Redskins had a vested interest in the April 2nd event.
There are more than 500 draft eligible prospects and the other 31 teams in the NFL will certainly consider drafting these players. The Redskins have shown a propensity for drafting Alabama players and while the chances may seem low from above they are probably higher on for the Redskins than many other draft boards.
Look for these players to be dressed in Burgundy and Gold by the end of the weekend. Both Irv Smith, Jr., in the second round, and Deionte Thompson, in the third round, are two members of the Tide that will be high on the Redskins draft board. Mack Wilson could also be a target if he slips into the third round, but other positions of greater need may supersede drafting an inside linebacker at the time Wilson will be available. Ross Pierschbacher would provide much needed depth on the interior of the offensive line in the tail end of the draft. Roll Skins!