The 2024 NFL Draft starts on April 25 in Detroit with the 32 first-round picks. In the 88 NFL drafts, teams have chosen 128 prospects who played at Alabama high schools and colleges in the first round, and another 29 who were not first-rounders but were selected in the first 32 picks. AL.com is counting down to the draft by highlighting the players with Alabama football roots who have been chosen in the first 32 picks.

A pair of Crimson Tide offensive linemen are the only prospects who played at Alabama high schools and colleges to be chosen at No. 18 in an NFL Draft.

Offensive tackle Bob Cryder and center Ryan Kelly received the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy 38 years apart – Cryder playing for Paul “Bear” Bryant and Kelly playing for Nick Saban — then entered the NFL in the same spot in the draft.

Cryder went to the New England Patriots in 1978, and Kelly went to the Indianapolis Colts in 2016.

In his six seasons with New England, Cryder was a teammate of former Alabama All-American and future Pro Football Hall of Fame member John Hannah, and they were starters in the Patriots’ offensive line together in 1981 and 1983. While Hannah played left guard throughout his NFL career, Cryder played right guard in 1981 and right tackle in 1983.

Cryder was Seattle’s right tackle in 1984 and 1985 after the Seahawks sent a second-round pick in the 1986 NFL Draft to New England to obtain him. Cryder played in only one more NFL game after signing with the Seahawks only five days before the 1986 season kicked off.

Kelly went right into the Colts’ lineup and, except for injury, has been there through 114 games. Along the way, he signed a four-year, $50 million contract to stay with Indianapolis.

Kelly earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.

The Cincinnati Bengals hold the 18th selection in this year’s draft.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.