(04-22-2022, 03:59 PM)The Real Marty Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2022, 03:55 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: [ -> ]No, a CB has never gone #1 overall, but had NFL teams known how those guys had turned out, I bet they would have, if given a do-over. Personally, I have compared Gardner to Revis on several occasions. I think "Sauce" is in the same discussion with all those CB's you mentioned.
As far as Hutchinson, it's not so much of how much better he is than say, Thibodeaux or Johnson, it's just that I feel his floor is so much higher than those guys and he is a perfect scheme fit, unlike Walker who would have to learn a whole new position, if drafted to be a 3-4 OLB. I think Hutchinson is a very good player, maybe not elite, but I think he's a very safe pick. I don't see any bust factor with him. I think his floor is more of a Ryan Kerrigan type career. That's why I believe if we go edge rusher, he has to be the pick. This team cannot have another first round bust. It just seems like that happens to us time after time.
They were very decisive last season as far as the #1 overall pick, because just about EVERYONE had Lawrence as the top pick. That one was a no-brainer. As far as Etienne, that was probably a whole different story that we may never be privy to. If rumors are true that the head coach wants one guy, the GM wants another and the rest of the coaching staff wants another guy, that is clearly dysfunction. These guys need to get on the same page.
I agree, but if they truly have that many guys they are still choosing from, it makes me less sure that they will make the right choice.
As long as they pick a guy who belongs in the first five picks, it's okay. There's just not that much difference at the top this year.
When I consider need, value and positional value, I find Hutchinson to be the clear and easy choice. I just pulled up 10 rankings of the top draft prospects this year and 9 out of 10 had Hutchinson as having the best value with the lone exception having him ranked second best. Edge is a huge need for the Jaguars who must get a better pass rush. I also consider edge to have the highest positional value on defense. He's even a good scheme fit. In my mind, I can't make a good case for anyone else:
Ahmad Gardner - Some like his value, but this is as about as far away from a need as possible. I would consider quarterback the only position with less need for a starter. We have 3 good starting cornerbacks. One was a rookie last year. The others signed either this year or last year as free agents, so it's not as if their contracts are about to expire. If I have a choice, I like to get both value
and need. I also consider cornerback to have less positional value than edge.
Jameson Williams - Wide receiver is a need, but he doesn't have the value to be taken #1 overall.
Kyle Hamilton - Safety lacks the positional value to be taken #1 overall. You can find good safeties later in the draft.
Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu - As stated earlier, the consensus is that Hutchinson has better value. As far as need, if there isn't an elite left tackle prospect, and there isn't, I'd prefer to give it a year and see if Walker Little can be our left tackle of the future. We also already have Cam as a stop gap. I also hear some saying that Neal or Ekwonu might make better right tackles or guards. If so, the positional value isn't there. I don't draft a right tackle or guard at #1 overall. They can be found later in the draft.
Travon Walker - After the season ended, most mock drafts had him in the middle of round one with some in late round one or even the second round. His so called "stock" rose because of the combine. While I think you should consider everything, moving to the top spot because of the underwear Olympics is a bit much for me. I'm skeptical of the workout warrior. He may have good upside but feels very risky to me.
Kayvon Thibodeaux - He plays edge, so it is a need and has positional value. He also has very good upside. However, he comes across as a diva to me. He's accused of taking plays off. He just feels much riskier than the very safe Hutchinson that I would have a hard time ranking him ahead of Hutchinson.
Assuming no trade down, Hutchinson is the easy pick for me.