Kadyn Proctor: dark horse to become #1 overall draft pick

USA Today

4 days ago

Left Tackles, like edge rushers, are the premium position (outside of quaterbacks), come draft night, every year. And Alabama's Kadyn Proctor is the top prospect of them all.
On the Crimson Tide's official roster, Alabama LT Kadyn Proctor is listed at 369 pounds, while numerous media outlets list him as 360. Meanwhile other outlets list him at at various weights all across the spectrum from 360 to 370. No matter what his actual weight, he's larger than life, and seems destined to be the first offensive lineman off the board come April.
He said at SEC Media Days this past week that he's "comfortable" playing at his current weight, but that he would like to drop "10-15 pounds" before the season begins. While his massive size is not something that most of us can relate to, his desire to drop 10-15 pounds certainly is!
It is very likely that a quarterback will go first overall in the next NFL Draft, as that's exactly how it has gone in seven of the past eight years and 10 of the last 12. But if it's not a QB, then it could be a defensive end or offensive tackle. And as both the book and the movie "The Blind Side" told us, the NFL pays big money to offensive tackles, specifically left tackles.
Thus LTs, like edge rushers, are a premium position, come draft night, every year. And Proctor is the top prospect of them all.
"I haven't really looked into it too much," Proctor said, when asked about NFL mock draft projections at SEC Media Days.
"Because I feel like I haven't proven myself to be in at that level yet. Like I still have another season. You never know what's going to happen. So I'm doing everything in my best ability, and if that happens at the end of the day, then I'm going to be blessed. But I'm not focused on that at all."
It's the perfect answer to the perfect type of question that should be asked at these types of events. Proctor, who graduate early from the University of Alabama by earning his degree this fall, is entering the NFL Draft process with the same kind of astronomical hype with which he entered college.
Proctor was ranked #1 offensive lineman (and 7th overall regardless of position) recruit coming out of high school. He was also rated the #1 recruit from the state of Iowa. This upcoming season, it's not just Proctor, but also his whole position group that have major hoopla surrounding him.
When asked about the Bama OL being considered by many, if not most pundits the best unit in the nation, Proctor responded with humility.
"We have not proven anything yet, offensive line-wise, to be ranked No. 1 throughout the season," Proctor responded to the SEC Network host who asked the question.
"When the Joe Moore [Award] comes around, then we'll know. Right now, we're just focused on lifting and running and going into fall camp and just having the best time of our lives."
When it comes to fielding media questions, Proctor is certainly NFL-ready, right now. If a team that doesn't need a QB or DE, but badly needs a OT ends up with the first overall pick, then we could see the Des Moines, IA native become the first overall choice.