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9. I think there are few teams (in fact, the Giants and Jacksonville might be the only ones) that have improved their defensive front sevens as much as Arizona, after Chandler Jones (for a second-round pick) was imported to play right end, and Robert Nkemdiche—the first-rounder—was picked Thursday night to play left defensive tackle, mostly likely.

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<b>5. Jacksonville: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State</b>

Typically, zone-based defensive teams do not invest high first round picks in cornerbacks. Those spots tend to be used on pass rushers. But hence, the selection of Dante Fowler No. 3 overall last year, and the mega-signing of ex-Bronco Malik Jackson this offseason. With the front seven restocked, the Jags had flexibility to improve the back end. Which brings us to the more important thing: Jacksonville’s <i>style</i> of zone defense. It is identical to Seattle’s, which means it’s really more of hybrid coverage foundation, with man-to-man on the perimeter and zone helpers inside. Aggressive, long-armed corners thrive in this sort of scheme, where the sideline and those zone helpers present a little more margin for error. Ramsey is a prototypical press corner, and that’s how he’ll be used. If his well-documented abilities to play safety become a factor, it means something went terribly off-plan.

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5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State: He's got a very good claim he's the best defender in this draft. Ramsey joins a Jags defense that allowed the most points in the AFC (448) in 2015. A former tracker star with freakish athletic ability, Ramsey has the versatility to guard anyone from slot receivers to tight ends. He can play press coverage or deep safety. The only knock on him was a modest ability to turn the ball over as he had just three interceptions in three years with the Seminoles. He told me during a pre-draft interview he wants to play throughout the secondary and would also like the opportunity to return kicks to provide him additional opportunities to get his hands on the ball.

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While the Rams and Eagles were doing their QB tango, and the Chargers and Cowboys went Buckeye wild. Jacksonville benefited in getting the draft's best all-around athlete.

The Jaguars have longed for this kind of impact corner, and he complements their other playmaking additions in the secondary — Prince Amukamara and Tashaun Gipson — very well. Gus Bradley learned how to use ball-hawking defensive backs during his days in Seattle, and that's about to pay off for a young team that is on the verge of becoming a playoff team.

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<b>5. Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State A+ Grade </b>

Stupid teams do stupid things. The Jaguars used to be a stupid team, but they've made great strides recently, and now look like they're on the cusp of competing for the playoffs. They've taken another step toward that with this pick. Jalen Ramsey is one of the top two players in the draft. Jacksonville shouldn't have been able to obtain him with the fifth-overall selection, but it did. Congrats, Jaguars! You're one of the winners of the draft.


This is a great pick, worthy of an A+. Ramsey is very talented, and he can play both cornerback and safety. Jacksonville's secondary was a complete mess, but that's no longer the case with Ramsey on the roster.