Orange Bowl: Why 49ers, Raiders fans should watch Alabama vs. Oklahoma

With two out of the top four picks in the 2019 NFL Draft at this time, the 49ers and Raiders' brass will be all over the Orange Bowl. 

After already looking at prospects the teams could target in the Cotton Bowl, here's a plethora of players to watch that fit the 49ers and Raiders' needs when Alabama plays Oklahoma. 

Quinnen Williams, DL (Alabama)

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Williams, 6-foot-4 and 289 pounds, burst onto the scene as a redshirt sophomore after only playing in nine games as a freshman. He was rated as Pro Football Focus' best player in college this year, regardless of position. 

The recently turned 21-year-old could be the perfect fit for the 49ers or Raiders with their top pick. Though he isn't the traditional edge rusher both teams are looking for, Williams might be too talented to pass up. 

Through 13 games played, Williams has 66 tackles (18 for loss), and eight sacks. 

Deionte Thompson, S (Alabama)

Thompson, like Williams, has been another breakout player for the Crimson Tide. If the 49ers trade down out of the No. 2 pick, Thompson could be an option, but for the Raiders, pairing him with Karl Joseph could be a lethal combination if he falls to them. 

Ranked as Pro Football Focus' No. 4 player in the College Football Playoff, Thompson can do it all. He only played in 15 games his first two years, but as a redshirt junior, the safety has 70 tackles (3.5 for loss), two interceptions, five passes defensed, one fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles.

Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, WR (Oklahoma)

Brown is a big play waiting to happen. Former scout and current NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently compared the speedster to DeSean Jackson. 

Listed at only 5-10 and 168 pounds, he's had back-to-back years with over 1,000 yards receiving for the Sooners. As a junior, Brown has 75 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns. With the loss of Amari Cooper, he's exactly who Derek Carr and the Raiders could need. 

Raekwon Davis, DL (Alabama) 

Williams stole the show from Davis this year after his huge sophomore season where he had 69 tackles (10 for loss) and 8.5 sacks. His junior year was relatively quiet with 52 tackles (4.5 for loss) and and half a sack. 

But he's still plenty capable of plays like this: 

Trevon Diggs, CB (Alabama)

Diggs is all about upside. He came to Alabama as a wide receiver, but transitioned to defense as a sophomore. As a junior, his athleticism has jumped off the page. 

Here he is up against top wide receiver prospect DK Metcalf of Ole Miss: 

At 6-2 and 199 pounds with NFL speed, Diggs could be a steal for the 49ers on Day 2 if he declares.

Damien Harris, RB (Alabama) 

Harris is perhaps the most experienced running back in the draft after four years under Nick Saban. He may not be the flashiest, but he's a complete football player. 

Competing with Iowa State's David Montgomery for RB1 on draft night, the Raiders could snag him with one of their later picks in the first round. He has 2,965 rushing yards for his career with the Crimson Tide and 21 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

Josh Jacobs, RB (Alabama)

Jacobs is in a different position than Harris. Though he has the third-most carries on the team, word is he will declare for the draft, according to WalterFootball.com.

While he may be RB3 at 'Bama, that wouldn't be the case anywhere else. He has 11 rushing touchdowns and two more receiving this season. 

Irv Smith Jr., TE (Alabama)

Smith is seen as the No. 2 tight end in the draft behind Iowa's Noah Fast by many outlets. He's a complete player who can throw a block or be a weapon in the passing game. 

Jared Cook is a free agent after this season, and Smith could be his replacement for the Raiders. As a junior he has 38 receptions for 648 yards and seven touchdowns.

Here’s how 49ers and Raiders fans can watch Alabama play Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl:

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