Three Alabama players in NFL picked for bounce-back seasons in 2025 by PFF
Three Alabama players in NFL picked for bounce-back seasons in 2025 by PFF
Three former Alabama football players could be poised for a bounce-back season in the NFL, one national outlet believes.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) on Thursday named bounce-back candidates for all 32 NFL teams in 2025. Former Crimson Tide receiver Jaylen Waddle was PFF's choice as the Miami Dolphins' bounce-back player, while two defensive standouts under Nick Saban made the list: Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris and New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
In breaking down each candidate, PFF's Dalton Wasserman said of Waddle:
"Miami's instability at quarterback appeared to impact Jaylen Waddle's production more than any other offensive weapon. He recorded at least 99 receiving yards in three games — all with Tua Tagovailoa under center — but failed to top 57 yards in any other contest. His 71.5 receiving grade was the lowest of his career by a significant margin. As is often the case with the Dolphins, Waddle's 2025 outlook is closely tied to Tagovailoa's health. If the quarterback stays on the field, a bounce-back season should be well within reach for Waddle."
Waddle, the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, played in 15 games last year and posted career-low numbers during his fourth NFL season. He caught 58 passes for 744 yards (12.8 AVG). Waddle sustained a right knee injury in the Dolphins' Week 15 loss to the Texans and missed Miami's next two games.
Harris, who played at Alabama from 2019-21, also dealt with injuries in 2024 after a stellar 2023 season in Houston for former Crimson Tide linebacker DeMeco Ryans. He was limited to just three games last year but made 100 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and two pass breakups in 2023 when the Texans won the AFC South and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs.
PFF said of Harris:
"Harris' 2024 season was derailed by a preseason calf injury that kept him sidelined until Week 15. During Houston's 2023 playoff run, he had begun to carve out a role as a coverage specialist within the linebacker corps, earning a 72.2 coverage grade, a top-25 mark among NFL linebackers that year. He may not return to a full-time starting role in 2025, but regaining that form would be a valuable boost for a defense that struggled to get similar production from Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'o To'o last season."
Harris was a third-round pick (75th overall) by the Texans in 2022 and was a Butkus Award finalist in both 2021 and 2022 while at Alabama.
Barmore, a second-round pick by the Patriots in 2021 after New England traded up to get him with the 38th overall selection, played at Alabama from 2019-20 and was named to the Freshman All-SEC team in 2020. He was second in the SEC in sacks that year with eight.
PFF said of Barmore:
"Barmore appeared to be a rising star in 2023 after posting an 84.9 pass rush grade. Unfortunately, he missed most of last season due to blood clot issues, appearing in only four games. By all accounts, he should be cleared to play by Week 1 this season and could form a dynamic defensive tackle duo with Milton Williams, who led the position in pass-rush grade last season. For a team that ranked 30th in interior pass rush grade last season, New England is in a very good spot up front, especially if Barmore plays like he did in 2023."
Barmore's explosive 2023 season included career-highs in tackles (64), sacks (8.5) and pass breakups (six).
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