New England Patriots: LaBryan Ray, DT, Alabama
It’s hard to find anyone who likes Alabama players as much as Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock did — but Bill Belichick could be close. The difference is, that Belichick — who is good friends with Alabama head coach Nick Saban — doesn’t reach for players from the Crimson Tide the way Gruden and Mayock did.
Instead, Belichick lets them fall to him and has always had success with them. The most recent success stories have been Damien Harris, who New England took in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and Mac Jones who was their first-round pick in 2021.
Harris put up 1,620 yards over the past two seasons and scored 15 touchdowns in 2021 alone. As for Jones, he was the fifth quarterback taken in the opening round last year as Belichick patiently waited at No. 15 for the chance to draft him. Jones led the Pats back to the playoffs and was by far the best rookie signal-caller.
Fast forward to 2022 and the Pats could have another find from Alabama in LaBryan Ray. A former five-star prospect, Ray measured in at 6-foot-4 and 283-pounds. He has more than enough talent to become a productive player but injuries have stalled his growth thus far.
Should he get healthy, he could wind up being a rotational piece for the Patriots.