(04-23-2022, 04:30 PM)TheDuke007 Wrote:

(04-22-2022, 03:59 PM)The Real Marty Wrote: 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.