The Alabama Crimson Tide are once again sending a wave of talent to the NFL, and one name to keep a close eye on is offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A three-year starter at left tackle for the Tide, Proctor is already drawing first-round buzz in mock drafts - including a recent projection that has him landing with the Cleveland Browns at No. 27 overall.
For Cleveland, the interest makes perfect sense. The Browns have struggled to protect their quarterbacks this season, allowing 40 sacks - the eighth most in the NFL.
That kind of pressure has made life difficult for their rookie duo under center, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. With the highest pressure rate allowed in the league at 43.8 percent, shoring up the offensive line isn’t just a priority - it’s a necessity.
Enter Proctor, a mauler in the run game with steadily improving pass protection skills. His development has been noticeable: after allowing nine sacks as a freshman, he’s surrendered just four over the past two seasons. That kind of growth, combined with his physical tools and experience against top-tier SEC competition, makes him one of the most intriguing offensive line prospects in this draft class.
At 20 years old, Proctor still has room to grow, especially when it comes to handling elite NFL pass rushers. But the foundation is there - power, technique, and a high football IQ - and his ceiling is as high as any tackle in this draft. He’s already earned first-team All-American honors, and with a strong showing in the College Football Playoff, he could climb even higher on draft boards.
That next test comes Friday, when Alabama faces Oklahoma in a rematch of their tight November showdown, which the Sooners edged 23-21. In that game, Alabama gave up four sacks - a number the offensive line will be looking to cut down in the rematch. Proctor’s performance will be under the microscope, not just for his team’s title hopes, but for his own draft stock.
While one player won’t fix everything for the Browns, adding a talent like Proctor would be a major step in the right direction. Whether it’s protecting Sanders or another quarterback next season, Cleveland needs a long-term answer at tackle - and Proctor has all the tools to be that guy.