Why NFL scouts will flock to Alabama vs. LSU

The efficiency in which Alabama produces NFL defensive linemen is without peer in college football.

In the last three drafts, six Alabama defensive linemen have been picked. Five of them — all but Da’Shawn Hand in the fourth round this year — were taken in the top 55 picks. This is nearly as impressive as the mid-2000s Miami teams that had a defensive back picked in the first round for five straight years.

That defensive line will have the attention of pro scouts on Saturday night as they hone in on the top prospects for the 2019 NFL draft. Alabama plays rival LSU in a game heavy on top prospects.

Alabama’s defensive line features another group of NFL-ready monsters.
It starts with nose tackle Quinnen Williams. He’s been Alabama’s breakout player this year as a redshirt sophomore. In the past, Alabama has used traditional big body nose tackles to occupy gaps. At 6’4 and 295 pounds, Williams is not that. Instead, he’s more of gap-shooting disruptor in the middle, though he can occupy multiple gaps. He’s proven himself both as a pass rusher and run stopper this season with 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries.

“I think any time you have really productive guys up front, especially guys that play the run well, as well as have pass-rush ability, that’s a real key to having a good defensive team because it all starts up front, in my opinion,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said about Williams during his teleconference last week. “And Q has certainly developed nicely here and is playing really well this year and has been very productive for us.”

Whether or not Williams goes pro will probably be found out in January. Redshirt sophomores rarely leave Alabama, but if Williams get a first-round grade he could go pro.

NFL players are on either side of Williams as well. Defensive end Raekwon Davis, all of 6’7 and 316 pounds, has a ton of potential and scouts eagerly watch him. Davis’ specialty is stopping the run, and he has the type of length and athleticism combination to be a first-round player.

Fellow end Isaiah Buggs has arguably the best stats of the trio with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles this season. Buggs doesn’t get as much attention as Williams and Davis, but he should project as a reliable starter as an inside lineman in the NFL.

Greedy Williams poised for the top five
The single highest rated prospect on the field will be LSU redshirt sophomore cornerback Greedy Williams. If he goes pro, Williams could end up being a top five pick like Denzel Ward and Jalen Ramsey the past few years. In the latest mock draft, that’s where he landed.

Williams has an eye for the football and making big plays. This is seemingly a routine play for Williams (via Matt Waldman’s Rookie Scouting Portfolio):

Williams has everything a team wants in a cornerback prospect. He’s listed by LSU at 6’3 and 184 pounds, but he’s probably not quite that tall. Still, he has great length and uses to break up passes. At least when teams throw at him. This season Williams has two interceptions and four pass breakups, but he’s not frequently tested on the outside. Ole Miss tried to go at Williams with star receiver D.K. Metcalf, but Williams only allowed three catches for 37 yards on nine targets.

Sidelined stars can shine
Alabama has one of the top senior running backs in the nation in Damien Harris. He surprised many — including NFL scouts — when he decided not to enter the 2018 draft.

Harris is a favorite of Jim Nagy, the new Executive Director of the Senior Bowl and former NFL scout.

Harris barely played last week against Tennessee with just three carries. He’s been Alabama’s starting running back since 2016 but barely played because of “internal reasons,” according to head coach Nick Saban.

If Harris actually starts against LSU, he has a good chance to put in a good shift in the first half. The Tigers will be without star linebacker Devin White. The Butkus Award semifinalist is suspended for the first half for a targeting penalty against Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald.

White is unquestionably the leader of LSU’s talented defense. He leads LSU in tackles with 74 this season, and is tied for second in tackles for loss with seven. White is a good react and pursuit linebacker who could end up being a top 50 pick in April.

More NFL prospects to watch
This gets lost because of the emergence of star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but he’s not the only Alabama player to make his name beginning with last year’s College Football Playoff.

Alabama safety Deionte Thompson got his first two starts in last year’s playoffs and he hasn’t looked back since. The rangy junior is the leader of Alabama’s defensive backfield this year and his draft stock is sky high. He’s Alabama’s leader in tackles with 47 on the season, and he has two interceptions and five pass breakups.

Jonah Williams of Alabama should be one of the first offensive tackles drafted if he goes pro after the season. At 6’5 and 301 pounds, Williams isn’t the biggest or most imposing offensive tackle, but he plays with good hand usage and power. He’s viable against both power and speed rushers.

Alabama senior linebacker Christian Miller will get plenty of NFL looks as well. Miller missed most of last season with an arm injury, but this year he has 22 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks working off the edge. Fellow linebacker Anfernee Jennings also missed time last season, suffering a gruesome knee injury in the Sugar Bowl. Jennings has just 14 tackles this season, and as a junior could return for another season in Tuscaloosa.

The tight end class for 2019 is shaping up to have nice depth, and Alabama junior Irv Smith is in the midst of it. Smith has stepped up his play this season, and has 22 receptions for 384 yards and five touchdowns. He’s not quite as athletic as former Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, but he’s a good route runner with nice hands. He has some added value as a prospect thanks to his history of playing H-back.

Tigers tight end Foster Moreau will get some late-round contention in the draft. Moreau is wearing the coveted No. 18 for LSU this season. However, he’s not having a big year statistically with 10 catches for 119 yards this season. But the senior has size at 6’6 and nearly 260 pounds and soft hands. He could be a nice No. 2 tight end in the NFL.

If the 2019 draft weren’t so loaded with defensive line prospects, LSU’s Rashard Lawrence would get a lot more attention. The 6’3, 317-pound end looks like he’d fit right onto a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers with his ability to set the edge.