Longtime ESPN analyst Mel Kiper has six former Alabama players projected to go in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, which will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia.
In his mock draft released Thursday morning, Kiper has defensive end Jonathan Allen going third overall to Chicago, offensive tackle Cam Robinson seventh to the Los Angeles Chargers, inside linebacker Reuben Foster 11th to New Orleans, cornerback Marlon Humphrey 18th to Tennessee, outside linebacker Tim Williams 21st to Detroit and tight end O.J. Howard 32nd to New England.
Producing six first-round picks would match Miami's feat in the 2004 draft, and Kiper isn't ruling out the possibility of seven with receiver ArDarius Stewart.
"You saw him throw the football and make that big play in the national championship game," Kiper said Thursday afternoon on a conference call. "He's another underutilized standout like Howard because of the fact that Jalen Hurts was not a prolific passer by any stretch but had a heck of a year.
"I have him right now as the sixth-best receiver and with a second-round grade, but if he tests well I think he could get into the late first."
Kiper has 14 former Southeastern Conference players projected for the first round, headed by Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, who he pencils going No.1 overall to the Cleveland Browns. He does not have a single Big 12 player in the first round.
Alabama had four first-round picks in the 2011 and 2012 drafts but provided just one first-round pick in each of the past two drafts. Receiver Amari Cooper went fourth overall to Oakland in the 2015 draft, and center Ryan Kelly was tabbed 18th last year by Indianapolis.
Miami's six first-round picks in 2004 were safety Sean Taylor, tight end Kellen Winslow, linebackers Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams, offensive tackle Vernon Carey and nose tackle Vince Wilfork.
Kiper projects the Crimson Tide to be represented in the second and third rounds by Stewart, outside linebacker Ryan Anderson and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson.
"Anderson was a great college player who knows how to get to the quarterback," Kiper said. "He's got tremendous technique. He's slippery coming off the edge. He plays incredibly hard and is always in the middle of the action. I had him in the top 25 at one point during the regular season but now have him at 34 and an early second-round grade.
"Dalvin Tomlinson doesn't get nearly enough publicity, but he can handle double teams and is a guy who got into the backfield and wreaked some havoc. He is very good against the run and can give you some versatility. I have him as the eighth-best defensive tackle in a strong defensive tackle group, and I think he is a third-round pick."
Gore finds a home
Former Alabama running back Derrick Gore, who recently announced that he was transferring for his final two seasons of eligibility, posted on social media Thursday that he had decided on Louisiana-Monroe. Gore had 18 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown this past season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.