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Jayron Kearse believes he is best safety in 2016 NFL Draft

By Luke Sims

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jarvis Baxter (1) eludes the tackle of Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the second quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jarvis Baxter (1) eludes the tackle of Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the second quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jayron Kearse knows that there are some very good safeties in the 2016 NFL Draft, but that hasn’t stopped him from declaring himself to be the best in his class.

Jalen Ramsey will likely go in the top five, becoming the first secondary player taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. He can play cornerback and he can play safety, making him valuable to teams across the league.

But if you were to ask Clemson’s Jayron Kearse who the best safety in the 2016 draft class is, he would tell you it was him rather than Ramsey.

In his visit with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kearse wasn’t shy in saying what he brings to the team, quickly saying, “I’m the best safety in this draft class,” before describing his athleticism and play making ability. He goes further, saying that at the end of his career, he’ll be known as a great player.

Confidence is important on the football field. Every defensive back has to believe he is the best when he lines up for the snap and knows there is a talented player opposite him that can make plays. The only thing stopping those plays from happening is the defensive back and being confident in one’s abilities helps.

Kearse is certainly confident and the Clemson defender has a number of interceptions (seven) and passes defensed (11) to defense his position on.

For the Jaguars, who recently signed proven NFL play making free safety Tashaun Gipson and have Johnathan Cyprien manning strong safety, bringing in a player like Kearse has to offer promise as well as value. Kearse is not good enough to be taken fifth overall and will be a reach at the top of the second as well. In fact, he could be a fourth round or later selection for the Jaguars. NFL Mocks has Kearse pegged as a second or third round prospect.

If the Jags do want to bring in another safety to compete behind players like Gipson and Cyprien and with James Sample, Kearse could be an intriguing option. At 6’4″ he has the frame that head coach Gus Bradley values in his defensive backs.

Next: 7 Round Jacksonville Jaguars Mock Draft

Kearse’s marketing himself as the best safety in the class has to keep teams intrigued. The Jaguars may be willing to gamble more on a player with promise if he really can be that good.

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