ESPN on Tuesday released the [first rankings of the season](https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/46573669/2026-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-aplayers-positions) by its longtime NFL draft analyst, Mel Kiper.
Quarterback Ty Simpson is the highest-rated Alabama player on Kiper's current board and is No. 16 overall. Simpson is Kiper's third-rated quarterback behind Oregon's Dante Moore (No. 1 overall) and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (No. 3 overall).
Last week, Simpson was part of the [top-five quarterback lists](https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/46149416/2026-nfl-draft-rankings-top-prospects-position) of only one of ESPN's three other NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Steve Muench.
Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor is the other player to land in Kiper's top 25, at No. 25. Proctor is Kiper's third-rated offensive tackle behind Utah's Spencer Fano and Miami's Francis Mauigoa.
Other rankings from Kiper for Alabama players:
* Germie Bernard: No. 7 wide receiver
* Parker Brailsford: No. 9 interior offensive lineman
* LT Overton: No. 4 defensive end
* Tim Keenan: No. 7 defensive tackle
* Justin Jefferson: No. 6 off-ball linebacker
* Bray Hubbard: No. 2 safety
Simpson (redshirt junior), Proctor (junior), Brailsford (redshirt junior) and Hubbard (junior) all have eligibility remaining. Bernard (senior), Overton (senior), Keenan (redshirt senior) and Jefferson (redshirt senior) do not have eligibility remaining after 2025.
In total, there are eight Alabama players who made Kiper's position-by-position top-10 lists. Notably absent from that group are:
* Jam Miller, not among the top 10 running backs
* Isaiah Horton, not among the top 10 wide receivers
* Josh Cuevas, not among the top five tight ends
* Deontae Lawson, not among the top 10 off-ball linebackers
* Domani Jackson, not among top 10 cornerbacks
* Keon Sabb, not among the top 10 safeties
Horton (redshirt junior) and Sabb (redshirt junior) both have eligibility remaining. Miller (senior), Cuevas (redshirt senior), Lawson (senior) and Jackson (redshirt senior) do not have eligibility remaining.
Other Alabama players with expiring eligibility following the 2025 season, barring a medical redshirt, are running back Dre Washington, tight end Brody Dalton, guards Jaeden Roberts, Geno VanDeMark and Kam Dewberry, outside linebacker Jah-Marien Latham, inside linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, defensive back DaShawn Jones and punter Blake Doud.