The 2018 NFL Draft is over, and so are Alabama’s 15 spring practices.

We’ve featured the past and the present of the Crimson Tide football program extensively in the last couple of months, but today, it’s time to focus on the future in Tuscaloosa. With the spring semester ending last week, the non-early enrollees -- or majority of Alabama’s 2018 class -- will soon graduate high school and arrive on campus in time for summer workouts.

Nick Saban has shown in the past that he isn’t afraid to play true freshmen, and several of the incoming newcomers will have opportunities to compete for playing time right away.

Here we preview the Tide’s soon-to-be freshmen that could have the biggest impacts in 2018.

Patrick Surtain Jr. -- 5-star CB

It’s been well documented that Alabama has to replace all six of its defensive back starters this offseason. And while it has formidable options already on campus in Trevon Diggs, Shyheim Carter and early enrollee Saivion Smith, Surtain will likely prove difficult to keep off the field as the nation’s No. 1 cornerback prospect. Look for him to immediately push Diggs and Smith for their spots at left and right corner during preseason camp.

Another DB

Surtain and Smith are the headliners of the 2018 cornerback class, but the other three players the Tide signed at the position are no slouches. Jalyn Armour-Davis, Josh Jobe and Eddie Smith are each 6-foot or taller and weigh at least 180 pounds. With low numbers in Alabama’s secondary, that trio should at the very least provide depth when they enroll, but it’s possible they will push their older teammates at both corner and safety, too.

Jaylen Waddle -- 4-star WR

Three freshman receivers were heavily utilized in the passing game rotation last season, and as they assume starting roles this fall, their spots as key players off the bench will need to be filled. The third-highest-ranked player not already on the roster, Waddle could be a top reserve in his first season on campus. The speedy wideout could not only find a home in the slot but he could also contribute in the return game as a true freshman for Alabama.

Eyabi Anoma -- 5-star WDE

The second of two 5-star signees in the Tide’s 2018 class, Anoma faces a bit of a tougher path to playing time in Year 1. Alabama returns all of its outside linebackers from last season’s team, and they should all be healthy by the time fall camp rolls around. But don’t count out the St. Frances (Md.) Academy product. A team can never have too many pass rushers, and we saw the injury bug bite UA’s linebacking corps early in the 2017 campaign.

Honorable mention: Austin Jones and Vita Musika

They’re not freshmen, but the two transfers play at positions of need for the 2018 team. Jones, the soon-to-be former Temple kicker, will come in and compete with Joseph Bulovas for either the starting job or a share of it. Musika, the latest addition in the 2018 cycle, is a true nose guard and can provide some beef in the middle of Alabama’s base defensive package with tackles Da'Ron Payne and Joshua Frazier both now on NFL rosters.

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).