11. Irv Smith Jr., Tight End, Alabama
In a today’s passer-friendly NFL, teams will be looking for more multi-purpose vertical threats at the tight end position going forward. With a shallow talent pool, and the now-slow production from players like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski, tight ends are sure to be a coveted position in upcoming drafts.
Irv Smith Jr. finds himself perhaps only behind Noah Fant when it comes to the tight end positional rankings this year, but it’s not per lack of effectiveness. Smith is as complete a tight end as we will see in this year’s draft, and the dynamic Alabama offense has used him as both route-runner and blocker so far this year. Smith has averaged over 17 yard per catch this year thanks to plus hands and athleticism, and would be an instant upgrade for most NFL teams at the tight end position.
12. Josh Jacobs, Running Back, Alabama
Josh Jacobs, the Crimson Tide Junior, has often been the finesse to Damien Harris’ power, and could be an excellent runner-receiver for an NFL team that is looking for a threat out of the backfield. Though Harris has been the bell cow for the majority of the time in their shared time at Alabama, Jacobs has come on strong and thrown himself into the top-back competition.
Jacobs has averaged 5.4 yards per carry and had 181 yards on just 23 attempts in Alabama’s last two games. Jacobs fills the power back role, but has some great elusiveness out of the backfield to pair with plus hands. Thanks to some solid performances and a long shelf-life thanks to low usage at Alabama, it’s not highly unlikely Jacobs could be the first back off the board. He and Harris will have a tough task against this Clemson defensive line in a matchup that is sure to yield some great insight for this year’s draft.