(01-19-2022, 12:00 PM)jaglou53 Wrote: The more mock drafts I see, the more I feel that finding a trade-back partner is going to be critical. My hope is that some player, likely a quarterback, will shine at the Senior Bowl and Combine. The sweet spot in this draft will be in round 2. The Jets are loaded with 4 picks in the top 38. Although they aren't in need of a quarterback, they may want to move up to get their favorite pass rusher and still having pick 10 to get a cornerback like Gardner. The Jaguars then have picks 4, 33, 35 and 38. Some of the potential steals in this range include Pickens, McBride, Cameron Thomas and Darrian Kinnard. All 4 of these players have very high ceilings yet may be available in round 2 due to previous injury (Pickens), level of competition (McBride and Thomas) or position (Kinnard- guards tend to drop). Add in whoever the Jags select with pick 4 and this draft is already a winner with 2 more picks high in round 3. I honestly don't care what position they take with that high pick, but they can certainly get a great player.

Agreed. 110%.

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(01-19-2022, 11:32 AM)flgatorsandjags Wrote: He looks like TJ Watt  to me with his quickness, strength,  motor, and the way he uses his hands

He reminds me of Jared Allen. I just worry if he's a one hit wonder or if this is just the beginning of his potential. He really didn't have much to show on the stat sheet due to injury and lack of playing time prior to 2021.

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(01-19-2022, 10:14 AM)Upper Wrote: I feel like we should have a thread to keep the 'expert' mock drafts updated. I'll start with Dane Brugler's awful mock 2.0 from the athletic this morning. 

https://theathletic.com/3075920/2022/01/...surprises/

[b]1. Jacksonville Jaguars — Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State[/b]
After numerous conversations with NFL scouts and league execs in preparation for this mock, there were two key takeaways that led me to Ekwonu here. First, there are several evaluators around the league who have Ekwonu ranked higher than Alabama’s Evan Neal and Mississippi State’s Charles Cross. Second, several evaluators agreed that in a draft class missing a no-brainer top prospect, they prefer the tackles over the pass rushers. I have no clue how the Jaguars feel, but Ekwonu at least belongs in this conversation.
A three-year starter at NC State, Ekwonu has impressive movements for his size and generates extraordinary explosion at contact. He lacks refinement and is guilty of over-setting, but he is nimble, powerful and should get better and better as his technique and awareness mature. Ekwonu’s tape shows a tackle who can also play guard, not the other way around. For more on Ekwonu, this deep dive from Bruce Feldman is a great read.


[b]SECOND ROUND[/b]
33. Jacksonville Jaguars — Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida111111

I would call out sick from work two days in a row if this went down. Then, I would package my dog's [BLEEP] up in a bag and leave it at Baalke's front door after lighting it on fire and ringing the door bell.

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