Alabama Football 2019 NFL Draft: Mack Wilson

With the 17th pick of the fifth round in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Mack Wilson.

Measurables: 6’1”, 240

Speed/Strength: 4.7/4.65 (Pro Day), DNP

Hops (vert/broad): 33” (Pro Day), 117” (Combine)

Mobility (3-cone, shuttle): DNP

Lyndell “Mack” Wilson came to Alabama as a 5-star linebacker out of Carver-Montgomery, AL and found favor right away. Oddly enough, Wilson’s first highlight was as a receiver catching a one yard touchdown pass against Kent State as a true freshman. It would notbe his last score but it would be the least memorable. He played in all 15 games as a freshman, making several big plays on special teams. In 2017, he led the team with four interceptions, including a memorable against Clemson in the playoffs that he returned for a touchdown.

As a junior, Wilson assumed a starter roll in the middle. And though he struggled with assignments at times, he is a high-calibre player who likes to hit. Some Crimson Tide fans are upset with his decision to leave early but he gave Alabama all he had and made plenty of special plays. It could be said that Wilson was playing out of position as the Mike linebacker, but he was by far the best option for the Tide. If he had played Will or Sam, we’d probably be talking about how he will be remembered as one of the greats at that position.

In Wilson, the Browns get a versatile linebacker who is very smooth in zone coverage and athletic enough to play all three downs in the pros. It is doubtful Cleveland will employ him in the middle but they have an athlete who they can mold to their needs. I seem him as a Mark Barron type who will be asked to do more in pass coverage and be a run stopper.