Every NFL Draft fan knows how stacked the Alabama Crimson Tide roster usually is with blue-chip prospects. With the 2022 NFL Draft approaching, Alabama’s full scouting reports are no different. In a massive group of future NFLers, Alabama’s reports are headlined by a potential No. 1 overall pick in OT Evan Neal. He’s joined by talented wide receivers in Jameson Williams and John Metchie III as potential franchise-changing players.
Alabama 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Despite injuries sustained relatively recently, both Williams and Metchie are still highly sought-after prospects. But they’re not the only future Crimson Tide NFLers.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB
Positives: Tough, intelligent ball carrier who displays the ability to take over games. Possesses outstanding vision, patiently waits for blocks to develop, and finds the running lanes. Consistently turns it upfield, shows outstanding power as well as strength in his lower body, and is rarely brought down by a single defender.
Has defenders bouncing off him and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Solid pass catcher who adjusts to errant throws and makes receptions in stride. Remains disciplined with blocking assignments.
Negatives: Plays to one speed, lacks quickness, and does not have a burst. Not a creative ball handler and struggles to turn the corner or improvise when things break down.
Analysis: Robinson is a hard-charging interior ball carrier who was a major asset last season for the Alabama offense. His game has limitations, though Robinson offers potential as a short-yardage ball carrier who can also catch the ball out of the backfield and block for his quarterback.
Want more information on Robinson? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama RB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Christian Harris, LB
Positives: Athletic defender who is a game-changing, three-down linebacker when hitting on all cylinders. Breaks down well, effectively uses his hands, and quickly diagnoses plays. Immediately picks up coverage assignments, fluidly backpedals in reverse, and gets tremendous depth on drops.
Very effective in coverage, rarely gets knocked off his feet, and possesses a burst getting to the action. Quick and fluid moving in any direction, forceful up the field on blitzes, and very explosive. Easily stays with opponents on crossing patterns and shows speed in backside pursuit.
Negatives: Misreads plays on occasion and takes himself from the action. Not a stout tackler. Disappeared for long stretches last season.
Analysis: Harris is a gifted defender who performed well during Combine workouts and comes with a large upside. Though inconsistent at times during the 2021 season, Harris played exceptionally well as a sophomore and graded out as a first-round prospect. He possesses terrific upside, comes with scheme versatility, and could be a Day 1 starter.
Want more information on Harris? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Christian Harris, Alabama LB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Christopher Allen, LB
Positives: Physically talented linebacker who breaks down well, shows good awareness, and quickly locates the ball handler. Athletic, immediately alters his angle of attack, and works hard to get off blocks. Bends off the edge, makes exceptional use of his hands, and plays with proper pad level. Moves well laterally to cover backs on passing downs and gives effort against the run. Holds his ground against blocks and is forceful on the blitz.
Negatives: Lacked great timed speed before a knee injury that cost him all but one game last season. Slow diagnosing plays.
Analysis: Allen is a nice-sized athlete who shows ability rushing the passer upfield and playing in space. He must return with no ill effects from his injury to make it out of camp next summer, but he has the tools to be an eighth linebacker on Sundays.
Chris Owens, OL
Positives: College right tackle who projects to guard or center in the NFL. Fires into blocks, keeps his feet moving, and stays square. Patient in pass protection and anchors at the point. Blocks down on opponents and smothers them from the action. Patient, keeps his head on a swivel, and seals defenders from the action.
Negatives: Struggles handling quick or nimble opponents. Not a natural knee bender. Really doesn’t finish blocks.
Analysis: Owens is a strong, wide-bodied blocker with starting experience at tackle and center. He’s a small-area lineman who could back up in a power-gap scheme.
Daniel Wright, S
Positives: Once highly-rated safety who is athletic, plays faster than his 40 time, and effectively reads and diagnoses the action. Possesses an explosive closing burst, quickly gets to the action, and brings down opponents in the open field. Moves well laterally, covers a good amount of area on the field, and displays speed out to the flanks.
Negatives: Must clean up his backpedal and ability to drive to the throw out of his plant. Struggled with serious injuries early in his Alabama career. Production was cut in half last season.
Analysis: Wright was graded as a potential Day 3 choice coming into the season, yet his play dropped off, and he must now make a roster as an undrafted free agent. He possesses the tools to be a fourth safety and has the athleticism to line up on special teams.
Evan Neal, OT
Positives: Massive college offensive lineman with positional versatility. Sets with an exceptionally wide base, bends his knees, and blocks with proper pad level. Possesses outstanding vision, sees and recognizes the blitz, and works well with linemates. Strong, anchors in pass protection, and consistently keeps his quarterback upright.
Gets movement run blocking, stays with the action, and works to finish off opponents. Properly places his hands into defenders and jolts them with outstanding punch. Makes terrific use of blocking angles. Stays square and easily seals defenders from the action.
Negatives: Lacks smooth and fluid footwork off the edge. Shows stiffness in his game and slow adjusting.
Analysis: Neal was a terrific lineman the past two seasons at both left and right tackle. He possesses the size and style to be used on the strong side, though I would guess Neal will start as a left tackle until he proves unable to handle the position. While he’s a solid prospect, he is by no means the can’t-miss left tackle some depict him to be.
Want more information on Neal? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Evan Neal, Alabama OT | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB
Positives: Athletic cornerback with outstanding size and speed. Plays to his 40 time, stays with opponents throughout the route, and shows a nice move to the throw. Effectively times his pass defenses, is most effective facing the action, and possesses a closing burst. Quickly picks up coverage assignments and battles opponents throughout the route.
Negatives: Prefers to side shuffle downfield and loses a half-step in transition. Guesses wrong, which costs him. Does a lot of face-guarding. Not a stout wrap-up tackler.
Analysis: Armour-Davis possesses the size, speed, and athleticism to play on Sundays, but he must polish his techniques. Best in a zone system or backed off the line of scrimmage. He could make an immediate impact on special teams.
Want more information on Armour-Davis? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jameson Williams, WR
Positives: Explosive receiver who was having a career campaign before going down with a knee injury during the national title game. Smooth and fluid, quickly gets into breaks, and stays low on exit. Comes back to the ball, extends his hands, and snatches the pass out of the air. Tracks the ball in the air, easily adjusts to errant throws, and makes receptions in stride.
Possesses quick and strong hands, plucks the ball out of the air, and displays solid eye/hand coordination. Immediately gets to top speed, displays good route discipline, and works to make himself an available target. Effectively uses the sidelines and plays with both balance and body control. Throws his body around the field on coverage units.
Negatives: Occasionally secures the ball against his frame, which leads to drops. Never displayed himself as a consistent deep threat and must now return from a knee injury sustained in January.
Analysis: After being a part-time receiver at Ohio State, Williams stepped into the starting lineup for Alabama and made an immediate impact. He’s a smooth wideout with excellent size as well as next-level hands. However, Williams must polish his game and return from injury with no ill effects. Williams possesses the tools to start at the next level, and my only concern is that the team that drafts him rushes him back into the lineup.
Want more information on Williams? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Jameson Williams, Alabama WR | NFL Draft Scouting Report
John Metchie III, WR
Positives: Explosive receiver who consistently made big plays in college. Sharp route runner who quickly gets off the line of scrimmage and immediately gets to top speed. Possesses outstanding quickness as well as a burst that he turns on in a single step.
Extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame, adjusts to errant throws, and catches the ball in stride. Uses his frame to protect the pass, keeps the play in bounds after the catch, and works to pick up positive yardage. Sells routes, quickly gets into breaks, and does an outstanding job following the quarterback across the field.
Negatives: Not a stout receiver, struggles in battles, and does not display strong hands. Lacks a second gear and true vertical speed. Coming off a knee injury from late last season.
Analysis: Metchie was a playmaker for Alabama and a consistent wideout who was tough to stop. He comes with average size and must show no ill effects from the injury suffered late last season. Nevertheless, Metchie has the tools necessary to develop into a solid third receiver.
Want more information on Metchie? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: John Metchie III, Alabama WR | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Josh Jobe, CB
Positives: Nice-sized corner who flashes ability. Physical, battles opponents to defend throws, and works to get his head back around to locate the ball in the air. Very effective facing the action, displays a burst to the ball out of his plant, and fires upfield to defend running plays and screens. Hard-hitting defensive back who squares into ball handlers and brings them down at the point of attack.
Negatives: Showed a lot of hesitation in his game last season and was slow reacting. Gets upright in his backpedal. Loses a sense of where he is on the field and where the opposing receiver is.
Analysis: Jobe flashed ability for Alabama, yet had a very inconsistent career and moves towards the draft with an unpolished game. He possesses the size and athleticism to play at the next level, but Jobe must really improve his ball skills.
Want more information on Jobe? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Josh Jobe, Alabama CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
LaBryan Ray, DL
Positives: Nice-sized defensive lineman who breaks down well, plays with proper pad level, and effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Agile, gets leverage on opponents, and rarely gets knocked off his feet. Resilient, fluid getting down the line of scrimmage, and easily changes direction.
Negatives: Really best in a small area. Slow getting off blocks. Lacks a closing burst. Minimally productive and struggled with injury the past three seasons.
Analysis: Ray looked like a rising prospect after his sophomore campaign in 2018, but his career has since been slowed by injuries. He possesses nice length but must add bulk to his frame, get stronger, and — more than anything else — stay healthy.
Phidarian Mathis, DT
Positives: Large space-eating defensive lineman who is best occupying gaps. Plays with excellent pad level and gets leverage on opponents. Quickly gets his hands up and uses them to protect himself. Strong, stands up blockers, and holds his ground despite getting double-teamed in the middle of the line.
Splits double-team blocks to get into the backfield and makes plays on the ball handler. Flashes athleticism, smoothly changes direction, and works to defend the run.
Negatives: Must develop more moves and become quicker disengaging from blocks. More of a short-area lineman who doesn’t get outside the box to make plays in space.
Analysis: Mathis is a slug-it-out lineman who has shown improvement in his game and possesses the style and substance to line up as a nose tackle.
Want more information on Mathis? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Phidarian Mathis, Alabama DT | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Slade Bolden, WR
Positives: Reliable pass catcher whose best fit on Sundays would be returning punts. Sells routes, quickly gets out of breaks, and extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame. Easily adjusts to errant throws and looks passes into his hands. Gets vertical and exposes himself to the big hit in order to come away with the difficult catch. Consistently finds the open spot in the defense to make himself an available target. Possesses outstanding short-area quickness.
Negatives: Struggles in battles and is easily knocked off balance during routes. Average run-after-the-catch skill. Lacks deep speed and shows minimal burst in his game.
Analysis: Bolden was a reliable pass catcher for Alabama but comes with speed and athletic limitations. He’s a fifth receiver who can line up in the slot. But most importantly, Bolden will be asked to return punts at the next level.