Early Mel Kiper Mock Draft Sees Two Tide Stars Taken in First Round

With the conclusion of the college football season, and the NFL just three games away from finishing its season, we have officially entered into "mock draft season" ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.

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The NFL draft will have some important dates coming up soon, with the Senior Bowl set to take place from January 27-February 1, the NFL combine set for February 27-March 2, and the draft officially set to begin on Thursday, April 24. In addition, college teams will hold pro days as well in March and April, with hopeful draftees set to work out in their home facilities in front of numerous scouts, coaches, and general managers.

One of the leaders in the NFL draft community, Mel Kiper, has released his early mock draft for the NFL. Kiper will release multiple mock drafts as we inch closer to the first round in April, and his first one indicates Alabama will continue its streak of first-rounders in the NFL.

Kiper's early mock draft spots two Alabama players in the first round, but none being taken inside the top 10, bucking a trend Alabama has seen over the last several years with at least one player drafted in the top 10 every year since 2019.

Despite the lack of top-10 picks potentially in 2025, Alabama could easily continue the tradition of having a player drafted in the first round, a feat dating back to the 2009 NFL draft.

In Kiper's latest mock draft, he has Tyler Booker being selected No. 16 overall to the Arizona Cardinals, who are searching for offensive line help to protect Kyler Murray. The next pick, the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 17, has Jihaad Campbell being selected.

Campbell started as an inside linebacker for Alabama for two seasons but exploded onto the NFL draft scene during his junior year. He was the leading tackler for the Crimson Tide in 2024, with 119 total and 55 solo tackles. he broke up two passes and sacked the quarterback five times with two forced fumbles and one interception in 2024.

Tyler Booker has been a stable star for the Crimson Tide for three seasons, earning All-American status for Alabama in 2024. In his 12 starts this season, he totaled 93 knockdown blocks, averaging 7.5 per game.

Booker did not allow a single sack this season in 176 pass blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.

Booker is viewed as a likely first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft and could be the first Alabama player off the board. He is currently rated as the No. 56 overall prospect in the 2025 NFL draft according to ESPN's big board of players, and the No. 1 offensive guard in the draft.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.