Tim Keenan has been a stalwart leader for the Crimson Tide for a few years now, and I expected he would be drafted higher than the 7th round for his leadership, energy, and surprising disruptiveness for a nose tackle his size. Unfortunately, a lack of love for pure nose tackles, combined with a poor 40-yard showing this offseason, saw Keenan drop into the 7th.
The L.A. Rams benefited, though, pairing up Keenan with his Alabama teammate, Ty Simpson. The Rams use a 3-4 scheme with a true nose tackle, unlike many NFL teams, so Keenan is a good fit for them, and he’ll be backing up veteran Poona Ford, who’s under contract for two more years, but will be 32 by 2027. So Keenan has a good path to learn from a wily vet who’s been very successful in the NFL despite frame and athletic limitations, then take over in a couple of years.
Roll Tide, and best of luck, Tim!
