🏈 This year's JR class may not be finished yet- Devonta Smith returning?

[bearsnest]

I couldn't agree more Josey, TL has been nothing but a disappointment much like R Davis, to me Baramore and Dale were more impressive on the front seven, were I a pro scout Jennings would be a much higher sought after target than Lewis, cant wait to see Baramore and Dale after another year of weight room beefing up then you are going to see some monsters again on Bama D line, get rid of the me's and lets move on with the we's

 

[Justneedme81]

Let's not forget one thing here folks.

When it comes to the grades these guys will get from the NFL, remember there's a limit to five per team. It's up to the school's administration which five receive those grades.

A lot of speculation on where players will end up in the draft and right now there are too many in the "discussion portal." I wouldn't relish the role of deciding who gets the grades and who doesn't.

Under the revised NFL guidelines, a college can request evaluations for only five players, with exceptions determined on a case-by-case basis; previously, there was no limit on the number of players from one team who could be reviewed.

 

[Vabama77]

It may not be good optics....but to be fair TL had legitimate injuries so I'm not gonna slam him to hard. No need to call any of these kids juvenile names

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Nick and staff have hit a gold mine with come the come to Bama and we can get you ready for the NFL over these past 10-12 years. The problem is you get many players out of the group that are more into the deal for themselves than the program. Live by the sword and die by the sword.

 

[JoshB]

My guess those getting evaluations will be Tua, Najee, McKinney, Ruggs and Moses.

 

[colbyjacks]

My guess those getting evaluations will be Tua, Najee, McKinney, Ruggs and Moses.

You think Najee gets one? I think we all assume he is gone since it doesn’t feel like he can better his draft stock by coming back. Would be a waste if that is the case. Maybe a Leatherwood or Smith?

 

[Vabama77]

I think there's waaay more kids that love the program and came for the right reasons than there are ones who come for themselves. U can see by how many come back on their bye week in nfl and the ex players who are either GAs or administrators.

 

[TerryP]

My guess those getting evaluations will be Tua, Najee, McKinney, Ruggs and Moses.

.400 hitter if this was baseball.

 

[c5vetman]

I personally don't blame Lewis for wanting to go pro, with his injury history, if I were an NFL team I'd be wary if he were to get hurt again... HOWEVER, as good as he's been called, I haven't really seen anything on the field to back it up. I've seen flashes, but he's been neutralized way too many times, whether it's double teams or even single teamed.

When Derrick Thomas was on the field, everyone knew exactly where he was at all times, didn't matter if he actually got the sack or not, he was near the ball. He could bust through the double teams, or find his way around them and still get to the QB or at least making the tackle. If TL isn't making the sack, 99% of the time, I don't even know if he was on the field or not. I know injuries have limited his play and his snap counts, but I would think that in college, if he were really a game changer, he would have changed a few more games than he has.

I think he needs another year in college, either here or somewhere else, to prove that he's worth the hype. And to add to that his apparent attitude "with no more practicing for free", I couldn't care less if he stays or goes. I do think he will be a bust in the NFL unless money is what really motivates him.

All of that said, he's gone I'd say.

The others I think may honestly consider sticking around, except Najee, I think he decided long ago he was gone.

 

[Tidestalker]

I think you look at that compared to where you could be the next year. Tua, Tuggs, Smith, and Leatherwood could ALL be within that Top 15 range next season as compared to first three rounds this year. There is simply zero room for that many guys this year to pull that kind of draft position from Alabama. Tua is a Top 5 guy. Ruggs can be a Top 10 guy, Smith can be a Top 15 guy, and Leatherwood can be a Top 10 guy. Very curious why Leatherwood ain't pulling that grade so far this year, but with one more year each of these guys are looking at multi-million dollar differences in my mind. That's strictly if we are looking at it from dollars and cents, nothing about family life, wellbeing, and the other important factors.

Tua is looking at a difference of about $15-$20M if you ask me.

That's just a huge IF.... We're talking about those 4 dudes expecting to take up over 25% of those 15 picks. This is the same draft with the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Justin Ross, Isaiah Wilson.... etc.

Now throw in the idea that even on their own team there's a couple guys that could slide into those spots. No disrespect to Ruggs or D. Smith, but Waddle is the better all around player and likely jumps into that top 15 conversation as well. If Surtain improves he's certainly in that area.

All 4 are healthy and aside from Smith likely 1st rounders. If you're gambling on that top 15, now that's a big gamble.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Projected 2020 NFL draft order: Bengals lock up the No. 1 pick

The one-win Bengals have locked up the top pick in next year's draft. Here's what the 1-32 projection looks like now.

www.espn.com

which teamss will actually draft a QB in round 1 and what is their slot


Bengals at #1...yep
Dolphins at #4...yep
Chargers at #11...yep
Tampa at #15...yep....this is my prediction for Tua......Ten Bears and Lone Waite are on the same page

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Just wishin and a hoping....
Damn i hope a bunch feel they didnt finish what they wanted...
But realistically....ummm
Got as many new stars inthe orbit... @TerryP ...thats what i really mean
If they wanna go...go! The replacements will be the future....
I wont cry over any leaving.....none...
Maybe wont be as strong vs Michigan...but next season...bama will be a power...
And the schedule wont be laughed at...

 

[BamaFan334]

That's just a huge IF.... We're talking about those 4 dudes expecting to take up over 25% of those 15 picks. This is the same draft with the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Justin Ross, Isaiah Wilson.... etc.

Now throw in the idea that even on their own team there's a couple guys that could slide into those spots. No disrespect to Ruggs or D. Smith, but Waddle is the better all around player and likely jumps into that top 15 conversation as well. If Surtain improves he's certainly in that area.

All 4 are healthy and aside from Smith likely 1st rounders. If you're gambling on that top 15, now that's a big gamble.

I agree, it's all a huge IF. Their draft status this year is a huge IF. All it takes is a small hand size, not as many reps on the bench, or .1 seconds slower in the 40 and these guys are picked up later and for a lot less money than they would with one more year of defining tape. You make my point as well with your 25% statement, because this year is even less of a chance they get near that high because their own teammates are most likely forcing them to slide.

P.S. Fields is a sissy. Known him since he was in 9th grade ball. He fared well against bad competition this year and his team was never really challenged outside of Wisconsin this past weekend. Let's see what he does when JK Dobbins isn't carrying the load. Fields coughed the ball up a ton this season. Tua runs circles around Fields, and even Lawrence if you really wanna know my true feelings.

 

[JoshB]

Projected 2020 NFL draft order: Bengals lock up the No. 1 pick

The one-win Bengals have locked up the top pick in next year's draft. Here's what the 1-32 projection looks like now.

www.espn.com

which times will actually draft a QB in round 1 and what is their slot


Bengals at #1...yep
Dolphins at #4...yep
Chargers at #11...yep
Tampa at #15...yep....this is my prediction for Tua......Ten Bears and Lone Waite are on the same page

Those are pretty safe bets but you also have to think about teams that maybe will be looking for one later in the first round. Im thinking New England might want to get one just to be safe. Tennessee will be looking. Hell, Atlanta might be looking if they can trade back and maybe pick up two 1's and a 2/3 for their early first round pick. Pittsburgh might be looking. Lots of teams could be interested in an early pick this year.

 

[Tidestalker]

I agree, it's all a huge IF. Their draft status this year is a huge IF. All it takes is a small hand size, not as many reps on the bench, or .1 seconds slower in the 40 and these guys are picked up later and for a lot less money than they would with one more year of defining tape. You make my point as well with your 25% statement, because this year is even less of a chance they get near that high because their own teammates are most likely forcing them to slide.

P.S. Fields is a sissy. Known him since he was in 9th grade ball. He fared well against bad competition this year and his team was never really challenged outside of Wisconsin this past weekend. Let's see what he does when JK Dobbins isn't carrying the load. Fields coughed the ball up a ton this season. Tua runs circles around Fields, and even Lawrence if you really wanna know my true feelings.

Points taken. And I misspoke saying they're all healthy... Obviously Tua is not.

Ultimately they've all got their own decision that is different. And ironically each individual decision can impact the others.

To me, it makes more sense for D Smith to stay if Ruggs leaves.... From everything I've read, Ruggs is going ahead of Smith, and Smith could up his targets and production next season. If Ruggs stays, his upside isn't much different than this year (aside from putting on some muscle).

Same idea with Leatherwood & Wills.... If Leatherwood were to go, it would make a ton of sense for Wills to jump over to LT and really up his value. From the reports it appears the opposite may happen... Kiper had Leatherwood at #23... He could certainly up that by coming back, but how much? It could be a slim margin with a large risk. (Wills was the #6 OT)

The Tua thing is most interesting. The injury basically ensures he can't go #1.... But barring something crazy, he ain't jumping Lawerence next year either. Buuuuut another injury or bad rehab and he could seriously fall off the map. I saw a Kiper interview today that said there is no chance Tua falls out of the 1st.... His floor is high... Right now.

Najee.... RB's are a different story. Being healthy and talented are most important.... Any more mileage and it's probably held against him

 

[TerryP]

And the schedule wont be laughed at...

In 2016 Alabama opened with USC. The Tide was widely criticized for having a weak schedule.

Today we've seen a few post referring to different rankings (IE: Vegas was one I just read over.) Ironically, as you continue on your Duke bit ... there are several metrics involved in his rankings including strength of opponents, their records, and on down the line.

 

[Tidestalker]

In 2016 Alabama opened with USC. The Tide was widely criticized for having a weak schedule.

Today we've seen a few post referring to different rankings (IE: Vegas was one I just read over.) Ironically, as you continue on your Duke bit ... there are several metrics involved in his rankings including strength of opponents, their records, and on down the line.

Isn't September is part of the season?

 

[TerryP]

Isn't September is part of the season?

Only one game was, UofSC.

The point of that post was this...Duke, by no means, was in Alabama's control and it certainly didn't keep Bama from a playoff spot.

 

[Vabama77]

USC will open in top 25 next year, UGA will be fairly high as well as Lsu. Schedule won't be a negative talking point next year, if it is then it will definitely be a sign of anti-bama agenda. As far as Jrs, I hope ruggs and Smitty stay but ruggs is mocked by everyone as mid first .

 

[It Takes Eleven]

No I didn't I think it would have been smart to keep that to himself. I wish him well but if he still has a medical issue it will be found. NFL teams will vet him will all the injuries he has had.

I have no inside information, but I think he’s hurt again. He faded so much late season. I don’t advocate the public airing, but if he is nursing a chronic issue, I hope he gets himself pro ready.