3 NFL Teams LT Alex Leatherwood is Screwing by Returning to Alabama

Alabama left tackle Alex Leatherwood announced on Thursday that he will return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season. Leatherwood's decision to return to school has altered the plans for a few NFL teams looking to bolster their offensive line in the draft this April.

Here are three teams that will have to change their draft plans after Leatherwood's decision to return to Nick Saban's Crimson Tide.

3. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings need desperate help on the o-line, and Alex Leatherwood would have been a perfect fit. / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

The Minnesota Vikings have long needed help on the offensive line ever since their run to the NFC Championship Game back in 2017. In last year's NFL Draft, Minnesota finally addressed their need by selecting center Garrett Bradbury, who's struggled thus far as a rookie. Given the Vikings are in the playoffs, they have a selection slated in the later part of the first round. Alex Leatherwood would've been a perfect fit had he declared, but instead the Vikings will be forced to seek offensive line help elsewhere.

2. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks priority from here on out is to get protection for quarterback Russell Wilson. / Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

The Seattle Seahawks made a long-term investment in Russell Wilson to be their starting quarterback for the next four years. Given that, the Seahawks' job is to protect said investment, and give him quality protection at the line of scrimmage. With Duane Brown getting older and dealing with injury in 2019, Leatherwood could have been groomed to replace the 34-year-old in the near future. Instead, Seattle will have to look at other options at tackle, quite possibly in the middle rounds.

1. Miami Dolphins

After trading Laremy Tunsil, the Dolphins seriously need a replacement. / Mark Brown/Getty Images

To no surprise, the Miami Dolphins make this list. In order to solidify their plans for a rebuild, the team traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Houston Texans for a lucrative draft package. With three first round picks this year, Leatherwood could have been a quality option with their No. 18 pick, considering they're expected to take a quarterback with their fifth overall selection. The Dolphins will now be hoping Georgia product Andrew Thomas can drop to them with Leatherwood no longer an option.