Few pedigrees come with more cache in the NFL than having played college football at the University of Alabama, and playing for Nick Saban’s defense in particular.
Simply starting for Saban’s defense is often enough to have a player rated highly in pre-season draft rankings. The reasoning being that if a player is able to rise to the top of such a talented depth chart, and execute Alabama’s defensive schemes well enough to start, they must be good. And generally, that’s a good rule of thumb.
But that can also work against prospects, as the sheer breadth of talent on Alabama’s roster can disguise some players’ weaknesses.