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Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) cheers a tackle during the third quarter of the Alabama vs. Oklahoma Sugar Bowl NCAA football game Thursday, January 2, 2014, at the Superdome in New Orleans, La. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Alabama could once again flirt with program history at this year's NFL Draft, and seven former Crimson Tide players are in prime position to be selected earlier rather than later.
That's how many of Alabama's numerous draft-eligible prospects are among the 10 best at their respective positions, ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. wrote.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley, who is widely considered to be the first Alabama player off the board, is Kiper Jr.'s top-ranked inside linebacker. In recent mock drafts, he's been pegged as high as eighth overall.
HaHa Clinton-Dix is considered a lock to be drafted in the first round, too, but Kiper Jr. dropped him to No. 2 in his group of safeties. Louisville's Calvin Pryor is the new No. 1.
"My guess is there will be split opinions on those two depending on which GM you ask, with some preferring Pryor's instincts and downhill style and others preferring the range Clinton-Dix offers in coverage," Kiper Jr. wrote. "Who goes first could come down to scheme."
Left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio is also pegged as a first-round pick but he ranks fifth at the position. There are worse places to be, of course, as his position is one of the most highly coveted by NFL teams.
Quarterback AJ McCarron is fifth in his group, too, but he's anticipated to be a second-day selection.
Jeoffrey Pagan, another potential second-day selection, is ninth among defensive ends and Adrian Hubbard is 10th at outside linebacker.
Punter
Cody Mandell
is fifth among specialists. Whether or not that's good enough to be drafted remains to be seen.
Among the players not listed but still anticipated to be drafted are wide receiver Kevin Norwood, defensive end Ed Stinson, cornerback Deion Belue, safety Vinnie Sunseri and offensive guard Anthony Steen.
Alabama set a program record last year when it saw nine former players drafted. It will have 12 at the NFL Combine, which kicks off Thursday in Indianapolis.
Click here to see Kiper Jr's. full rankings.