Mock Drafts: Predicting Alabama Players in the 2013 NFL Draft

The 2013 NFL Draft will begin Thursday, April 25 at 7pm CT/8pm ET and end on Saturday, April 27 at 7pm CT/8pm. During that time, a total hours for 254 selections will be made.

Everybody and their brother seems to have a Mock Draft - all of which should be taken with a grain of salt. I have accumulated the picks of 18 so-called experts (walterfootball.com, Rob Rang CBS, Dane Brugler CBS, Pat Kirwan CBS, Pete Prisco CBS, Matt Smith NFL.com, Charles Davis NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah NFL.com, Bucky Brooks NFL.com, Todd McShay ESPN, Will Brinson CBS, Charley Casserly NFL.com, Mel Kiper ESPN, Shutdown Corner Yahoo!, Don Banks sportsillustrated.cnn.com, and Peter Schrager FOXSports.com, Greg Cote Miami Herald, D. Orlando Ledbetter AJC) to try and gauge a consensus for the first round. Granted some of these picks may have changed in the last day or so but I don't have the will to correct them every two seconds.

We will be doing some more in-depth player profiles for the likely first rounders over the next two days. In the meantime, here's a look at where our guys are expected to land.

CONSENSUS FIRST ROUND:

Dee Milliner (CB) looks to be a first-half first round lock. Rob Rang CBS has him highest at #3 to the Oakland Raiders while seven Mocks have him reuniting with Trent Richardson at #6 with the Cleveland Browns. Pete Prisco CBS and Peter Schrager FOXSports.com are the lowest predictions, 12th by the Miami Dolphins.

Chance Warmack (OG) should be bellying up to the stage on Thursday in the first third of the first round. The Mockers are mostly divided between #8 Buffalo Bills, #10 Tennessee Titans, or #11 San Diego Chargers. Don Banks si.com and Pat Kirwan CBS think he might go as high as #7 Arizona.

D.J. Fluker (OT) should be the third first rounder for the Crimson Tide going as high as #12 (MIA) but several media members believe the New York Giants reel him in at #19. That is swell for the G-Men if he is still there. Seven think he will be gone by that spot in particular the Saints at #15. Lone gunman Don Banks says #24 Indianapolis Colts.

LATE FIRST OR EARLY SECOND ROUND:

Jesse Williams (DL) hopes to be saying "G'day" to an NFL team on the first day but the jury is still out. Daniel Jeremiah NFL.com sends him to #25 Minnesota Vikings. Peter Schrager FOXSports.com has him at #26 Green Bay Packers. Pete Prisco CBS says #28 Denver Broncos. Pat Kirwan, Dane Brugler CBS and Shutdown Corner Yahoo! all agree at #31 San Francisco 49ers. The others have him going in the second round or perhaps later.

Eddie Lacy will be the first running back taken but I guess not everyone was impressed with his Pro Day. Pat Kirwan
CBS has the most faith picking him for Cincinnati at 21. Bucky Brooks NFL.com and Todd McShay ESPN think the St. Louis Rams need him to replace Stephen Jackson (FA signed with Atlanta) at #22. Mel Kiper ESPN and Greg Cote Miami Herald say #26 Green Bay. The rest say second round.

DAY TWO (ROUNDS 2 &3):

Barrett Jones projects to be an offensive guard or maybe center at the next level. Most of these Mock Drafts only predict the first round but the general feeling is he goes second or third round, perhaps fourth at the very latest. But don't despair over our favorite son. He'll still get paid before he starts his campaign for US Senator.

DAY THREE (ROUNDS 4 & 7):

Nico Johnson was never a real playmaker but he is smart, a hard worker and a good guy. He might fill some team's need at LB around the 4th or 5th round.

Robert Lester had some impressive numbers at Alabama's Pro Day. However, most experts see him as a 5th to 7th rounder.

LATE PICK OR FREE AGENTS:

Quinton Dial's size (6'5"/318) and versatility should work in his favor.

Michael Williams probably had a Pro Day he'd rather forget. He has a lot of work to do to make a team yet has the potential to be a team's second tight end.

FREE AGENTS:

Carson Tinker is one of the top 1 or 2 long snappers coming into the league and will definitely get a free agent contract. Most LS are not drafted. The Raiders' Jon Condo for instance has played in the 2009, 2011, and 2012 Pro Bowls. He was an undrafted free agent. Tinker could have a nice NFL career if he puts on a little bulk.

Damian Square: it's a tough year to be a D-lineman because this draft is stocked full of them.

Jeremy Shelley: Kickers are rarely drafted and when they do it's late-late. Shelley will get a shot to show his stuff or maybe push a veteran. However, the odds are long and his kicks are not.

Kelly Johnson had a decent Pro Day and could make his way onto somebody's practice squad for a season or two.