Quote:That 1987 draft is probably the worst draft I've ever seen, followed closely by 2013.

 

If memory serves, Charles White had drug issues in Cleveland.  Actually, the Browns of that era had some horrible luck with drugs during that time with him, Don Rogers, Chip Banks, and Kevin Mack. While Rulon Jones was a good pass rusher, I'm not entirely sure how much he would have helped Cleveland.

 

As to your closing point, Denver and moreso Buffalo would have benefited greatly from a big physical NT like the two you mentioned above.  Ball was an absolute beast when in shape.  He was the one guy I saw dominate Mark Stepnoski.  It is my deepest hope that if the Jaguars should switch to a 3-4, they find a stud NT like the ones you mention here as quickly as humanly possible.

 

  Both drafts had a high number of draft busts.   Yet,  the excellent players such as Charles Woodson,  the late Jerome Brown ( who you mentioned earlier on in the thread ),  and Cornelius Bennett jump out from the upper part of the 1987 Draft.    That also was the draft that produced two Lions NTs that a major impact in the NFL:  Jerry Ball and Dan Saleaumua.     The latter became arguably the best ' Plan B'  FA signing in NFL history,  as he became a key piece with the KC Chiefs.    My take on the 2013 Draft is the first half of Round 1 produced far less than the typical draft but the rest of that draft was at least in the average range.   It certainly was Martin Mayhew's best overall draft.

 

 Recreational drug use was highly problematic in the NFL and in sports in general back in the 1980's.   The Browns were indeed hit hard by this.   The tragic ending of Don Rogers and the impact that had on eventual 1987 1st Round Draft bust Reggie Rogers,  his younger brother,   had far reaching consequences.    Then Browns owner Art Modell tried to put in a support system to get help for his players with substance abuse issues.    The short time frame that drug abuse that claimed the lives of Len Bias and Don Rogers was one of the most difficult that the North American sports world and its fan have ever gone through.

 

 One additional thought about Jerry Ball was his mobility and range for a big man when he was even in decent shape.   He was a tremendous athlete.   ILBs Chris Spielman and Dennis Gibson certainly benefited from him,  with Spielman being one of the best players at his position.    Gibson went on to the Chargers,  where he made the game clinching play in the 1994 season AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh.    If the Chargers move to Los Angeles,  that will be the San Diego Chargers all time highlight in the Super Bowl era,  in terms of positive impact.  

 

 Speaking of the Chargers,  a few years later,   they had another eventual long time NT in Jamal Williams who seems like an example of the type of NT you would want in Jacksonville if the Jaguars go to a 3-4 Defense.    Williams was a massive,  powerful NT,  who did a great job of occupying blockers and controlling the interior.   One of the best Supplemental Draft picks ever!

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