Bud Dupree Would be Worth Trading Back For

Bud Dupree is a pure pass rusher. There’s no getting around that. He’s an outside linebacker who fights on the pass rush like a madman. With the most sacks of any active SEC player, he’s set to be a productive pass rusher in the NFL.

So when we think of the Jacksonville Jaguars and their LEO position, why do we always overlook Dupree?

In part, it’s because some see him more as an outside linebacker than as a defensive end. While the LEO is primarily a pass rushing position and the Jaguars have plenty of rotational defensive linemen for rushing downs, the team needs a player who can both play the run successfully and get after the quarterback. It could be argued that Dupree can really only do the latter. Dupree would have to shed a few pounds to play in a 3-4 outside linebacker spot.

Personally, I think he could do both.

At six feet and four inches, Dupree has a big frame to build on for the NFL. He’s a freakish athlete at 269 pounds (eight more than Dante Fowler Jr.) and he could become a very strong player in any role. He’s still raw as a pass rusher but has found incredible success in college.

With Randy Gregory and Shane Ray having cannabis clouds shaped like question marks hanging over their heads and Vic Beasley and Fowler off the board early, the Jags could be looking at an outside linebacker type LEO in Dupree. Whether it’s back to eighth overall or another spot, Dupree could likely be had. He’s continuing to rise up draft boards as we get closer and closer to the draft and seeing a further draft day rise wouldn’t be shocking. This is all assuming that the Jacksonville Jaguars find a way to trade back.

Trading back could be the best thing for the Jaguars as they still need to address a number of positions and would be able to land a to pass rusher. If a deal gets done with the Atlanta Falcons, they could take him eighth overall and nobody would think twice of it. There are better prospects at third overall, but if the Jags get their wish then there may not be anybody better than Dupree available heading toward the middle of the first round.

He’s worth trading back for an hoping to get. It would be shocking to see him available at 20 or so, but the Jags likely won’t jump back that far anyway.

Next: Are the Falcons a Prime Trade Partner?

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