The 2025 NFL Draft starts on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with the 32 first-round picks. AL.com is counting down to the event by highlighting the best choice – overall, from the SEC and of players from Alabama high schools and colleges — made with each of the first 32 picks in the 89 NFL drafts.

Best No. 18 pick: Iowa safety Paul Krause by the Washington Redskins in 1964

The 18th selection has brought five members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame into the NFL, with nine-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey becoming eligible next year.

The No. 18 pick in the first NFL Draft, fullback Tuffy Leemans, led the league in rushing as a rookie to kick off the Hall of Fame lineup, with Bruiser Kinard in 1938, John Henry Johnson in 1953, Paul Krause in 1964 and Art Monk in 1980 following.

At one point in his career, Monk had more receptions than any player in NFL history. But Krause still has more interceptions than any player in NFL history.

Krause got 12 of his 81 interceptions as a rookie. He was a first-team All-Pro selection again in his second season, and 10 seasons later, he was first-team All-Pro for the third time.

After four seasons with Washington, Krause completed his career with 12 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He was invited to nine Pro Bowls.

Last year’s No. 18 pick was Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Best No. 18 pick from the SEC: Ole Miss tackle Bruiser Kinard by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938

Center Maurkice Pouncey could be the former SEC player who has had the best NFL career after entering the league as the 18th selection in a draft. But the former Florida standout won’t be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for another year, and that’s an accolade that Kinard already has received.

The 18th choice in the third NFL Draft, Kinard became an immediate star as a two-way player in the line of a team that doesn’t exist today – the Brooklyn Dodgers.

A three-time first-team All-Pro at tackle in seven seasons for the Dodgers, Kinard was legendary for his unwillingness to come off the field.

World War II did take Kinard off the field. When he came back, he signed with the New York Yankees of the All-American Football Conference and became the first player to have All-NFL and All-AAFC on his record.

Kinard joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 1971.

The 21st SEC player selected at No. 18 was Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024.

Best No. 18 pick with Alabama football roots: Alabama center Ryan Kelly by the Indianapolis Colts in 2016

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.

Cryder spent nine seasons in the NFL. Kelly just completed his ninth season. While Cryder started 62 games, Kelly has started all 124 games in which he has played.

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

His 10th NFL season will be his first with the Minnesota Vikings. After nine seasons with the Colts, Kelly changed teams in free agency this offseason.

The Seattle Seahawks hold the No. 18 pick in the NFL Draft on April 24.

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