Is Jalen Ramsey too good to pass up?
By Luke Sims
Jalen Ramsey has a strong case to be one of the top players selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, but if he falls to fifth overall is he too good to pass up?
Whether the top need for the Jacksonville Jaguars is linebacker (as argued at Big Cat Country), defensive end, or some other position, it’s clear that the Jaguars will be looking for help on defense. While defensive tackle is not the likely pick (despite what Pro Football Focus suggests), there are a multitude of options for the Jaguars to choose from.
Jalen Ramsey is the top secondary player coming out in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has all the measurables and production a team could want from a cornerback or safety and he promises to be a difference maker immediately. Following his pro day, Jaguars team site senior writer John Oehser agreed that Ramsey is a “monster.”
With a player like Ramsey possibly in play, it will be tough for the Jags to pass him up at fifth overall. He’s good enough that adding him to the defense, no matter what position he decides to play is valuable. Even if he has to step in at strong safety, just getting him on the field could be the difference that puts the Jags over the top.
Or so it’s argued.
While the draft is still a month away and speculation continues to fly, we won’t know if the Jaguars will even get a chance to draft Ramsey. He’s been mocked to the Jags for a long time (Mel Kiper gave him to the Jags over defensive end Joey Bosa), but he’s good enough to go before he gets there.
If Ramsey does fall to the Jags at fifth overall, it’s likely that other top targets like Bosa and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack are already off the board. That would make the Jags’ decision to draft Ramsey significantly easier.
But if it’s about relative value and there are many options available for the Jaguars to choose from, it could be tough to take Ramsey over other positions of need. Pass rusher in the leo role and linebacker are critical to the integrity of the overall defense and the signing of Tashaun Gipson filled the logical hole that Ramsey could have stepped into.
More from Black and Teal
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Bold trade proposal has Jacksonville Jaguars shipping LT Cam Robinson
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
Even with that context, it will be tough for the Jaguars to leave Jalen Ramsey on the board if he is available at fifth overall. He is good enough to take a find a place for. He’s good enough to take even if other positions still need addressing. If the Jaguars really do have flexibility in the 2016 NFL Draft, it could be displayed in the selection of Ramsey.