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For months I've been of the belief that Nick Saban's Alabama juggernaut is due for a rare off-year in 2015. (And by off-year, I mean 10-2). Yes, the Tide seemingly reload at will. But between their uncertainty at quarterback; the loss of not only Heisman finalist Amari Cooper but their top three receivers; and an underwhelming returning secondary, this is easily Saban's least heralded team in years.
But then Bruce Feldman and I conducted our mock draft this week of our 2015 College Football Playoff dream teams, where I found myself unexpectedly picking four likely Crimson Tide standouts -- defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson, offensive tackle Cam Robinson, freshman receiver Calvin Ridley and punter J.K. Scott. Meanwhile, Bruce took linebacker Reggie Ragland and tried to take center Ryan Kelly before I overruled him (he wanted to list Kelly as a guard). And two other 'Bama players, running back Derrick Henry and tight end O.J. Howard, barely missed my cut.