The University of Alabama is holding its Pro Day today and there are a number of pro prospects that will command the interest of the NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens. As many as five players from this team could go in the first round, after four went in the first 32 picks last year. Three of them have been mentioned as possibilities for the Ravens if they are still available when they pick at #29 of the first round.
Linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower, safety Mark Barron, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and running back Trent Richardson are all worthy of being selected early in next month's draft. Most Mock Drafts have Richardson, Upshaw and Kirkpatrick going long before the Ravens pick. More than a few have the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Hightower with the 24th pick, as they have inside linebacker needs just like the Ravens. A few of the recent Mock Drafts have the Ravens grabbing Barron as an insurance policy at safety for now and a possible replacement for Ed Reed at some point in the future.
Expect the Crimson Tide's Pro Day to be among the most popular with the NFL teams, as they are so many players that are pro-ready, as not only is Alabama the reigning National Champ but they play in the SEC, easily the best football conference in college football. See more on this at NFL.com.