Nick Saban’s illustrious reign ended this winter, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has been more than just a title factory; it has also been an NFL factory since 2007. Saban’s final Alabama draft class will join the league this spring, and guys like Dallas Turner and Terrion Arnold will dominate for years to come.
Former Alabama players have been spotted all over the NFL for years, many of whom were first-round picks, since it’s difficult to go undetected when you play in the final game of the college football season every year. While the Crimson Tide do not fall into the later rounds, teams still earn a lot of value when they choose an Alabama star, but these ten guys had the best results.
This list does not reflect Alabama players’ best careers; rather, it represents the best career for the position for which they were chosen. So, we’ll begin at the conclusion of the first round with a wide receiver who has changed teams in the previous two offseasons.
44. Calvin Ridley. Calvin Ridley, WR. 10, 2018. Round 1 Pick: 26th player. Calvin Ridley, WR
Calvin Ridley has had an intriguing two years in the NFL. He was suspended for gambling in 2022, then traded to the Jaguars in 2023, where he struggled to adjust to a new team. Now, Ridley is with the Tennessee Titans, hoping for a fresh start.
Ridley remained Atlanta’s No. 2 receiver for the first two years, trailing only Julio Jones, and he had back-to-back 800-yard seasons. He appeared to be a bargain for a receiver chosen late in the first round. Then, in Year 3, Ridley went for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns.
Despite his struggles since his breakout 2020 season, Ridley remains one of the best receivers in the NFL.
