The Alabama Crimson Tide are coming off a national championship season, but need to replace a number of key contributors from both sides of the ball.  Despite all of the departures to the NFL, the cupboard is far from bear, as ‘Bama still has a number of strong NFL prospects.  Below are some of their top draft-eligible players, with underclassmen designated with and asterisk…
A.J. McCarron* QB 6’4 210 – As a sophomore, and in his first season as the starting quarterback, McCarron held down the fort while the Tide won a national title.  He took care of the ball, completing over 66.8% of his passes, for 8 yards per attempt, 16 touchdowns and only five interceptions.  While McCarron will be trusted to throw more often this season, he’ll need to break in a new group of receivers, as his top four targets from last season – Marquis Maze, Brad Smelley, Trent Richardson and Darius Hanks – have all moved on to the NFL.  McCarron is pretty sound fundamentally, makes good decisions, and has a good arm.  His mobility and athleticism are limited, but he plays behind one of the best offensive lines in college football.  McCarron has two years of eligibility remaining, so it would be a surprise to see him leave school early.
Eddie Lacy* RB 6’0 220 – Lacy will be the lead back this season, and could wind up being the third straight ‘Bama running back to leave school early.  Playing behind Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson as a freshman, Lacy still managed to run for 406 yards and six touchdowns.  Then last year, as the backup to Richardson, he ran for 674 yards and seven TDs.  For his career, Lacy has averaged 7.2 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per catch.  He’s not as dynamic as Richardson, or as polished as Ingram, but he is a talented player who should put up impressive numbers this season.
Michael Williams TE 6’6 269 – Williams played tight end and defensive end in high school, and has been used exclusively on offense by the Tide.  He only has 27 receptions in three seasons so far, but with so many offensive starters gone from last season he’s likely to see more targets.  He has tremendous size and has improved his blocking.  With big tight ends at a premium in the NFL these days, a player like Williams has a chance to be a real riser this season.
Dee Milliner* CB 6’1 199 – As a freshman Milliner had one interception and broke up seven passes.  Last season he upped those totals to three INTs – one returned for a touchdown – and nine pass break-ups.  Milliner is still just a junior, but he has the size NFL teams covet.  With Dre Kirkpatrick and Dequan Menzie gone, Milliner will be counted on to be the team’s top cover man.
Chance Warmack G 6’3 320 – Warmack is a key cog in the Tide’s terrific offensive line.  He’s a mauler who has been in the starting lineup throughout the last two seasons.  He will be one of the top interior line prospects in the country this season.
Barrett Jones C 6’5 302 – The extremely versatile Jones has played all along ‘Bama’s offensive line, starting last season at left tackle.  He was primarily a guard the two seasons prior to that, and that is likely where his future lies at the NFL level.  Last season, Jones won the Outland trophy, an award given to the nation’s top offensive lineman.  Despite all of the positives, Jones isn’t a great athlete, so that may limit him schematically.  Plus, NFL teams would probably like to see him add some bulk to play inside.
D.J. Fluker* OT 6’6 335 – Fluker is a massive presence at right tackle for the Tide, and while he still has two years of eligibility remaining, this is expected to be his final college season.  He’s a strong run blocker best suited to remain in the right side at the next level.  This year Cal’s Mitchell Schwartz was drafted 37th overall to play right tackle, and Fluker could come off the board around that same point.
Robert Lester FS 6’2 210 – As a sophomore Lester intercepted eight passes and broke up four others.  Last year his production dipped a bit.  He still managed two interceptions, three pass break-ups and a forced fumble.  Lester thought about going pro after last season but opted to return.  He has the size to cover tight ends, a trait NFL teams covet; and considering former teammate Mark Baron’s meteoric rise up draft boards, Lester could find himself being selected in the first round.
Nico Johnson OLB 6’3 245 – Johnson is another Tide player who will need to step up and replace the contributions of departed starters – in this case, Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw.  Johnson doesn’t have the size of his former teammates, and he is more of a run stopper than anything else.  Although he may be called up to rush the passer a bit more often this season.
Also keep and eye on: Damion Square DE 6’3 286, Jesse Willaims DT 6’4 320, Quinton Dial DT 6’6 304,Jarrick Williams SS 6’1 212