What a take, huh? That’s the energy we’re bringing on a Thirsty Thursday, I guess. Usually, we have a pretty strong indicator of who’s going to be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft based on the needs of the team holding that top spot and the talent available. I’ve sat down and written about who I think the best prospect is in each draft for the last four years, and as far as how that has translated to who is actually the first overall pick, I’m 2/4 (Saquon Barkley, Nick Bosa, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence). But, this year, man….it feels like it’s wide open.
The range of mock drafts we’re seeing vary wildly. It could be a number of individuals that end up on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. But, let’s start with a guy that has been named atop mock drafts for quite some time – Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Dude is a hoss, that’s for sure – he had a productive career at Michigan, posting 14 sacks in 2021 and finishing the year as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Hutchinson is known as a grinder with a solid work ethic and high football character. He’s an effective pass rusher and an edge setter. But, is he dynamic enough to round out a full pass rush skill set to take on NFL tackles? How will he hold up when teams line up and run right at him? These are questions that have people wondering if he’s a high-floor, “who knows?”-ceiling type of prospect.
Then, there’s the other edge rusher everyone was mocking atop this draft for a while, Kayvon Thibodeaux out of Oregon. Where Hutchinson is a little more polished and a little less “traitsy,” to completely make up a term, Thibodeaux is a physical specimen whose potential is going to entice a lot of GMs. He’s explosive and quick in pursuit and has a hell of a punch in run support, but he’s considered raw. Get him in the right situation, and he could soar.
But, lately, the name I keep seeing pop up for the Jags is Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal. He’s a big ol’ boy at 6’6″ and 360 pounds. He is a mountain mover in run blocking and simply beats his opponents down as the game wears on. Neal has a robust offensive line skill set – his size, hands, versatility, punch, and football IQ make him the total package. He’s played a lot at both tackle spots, and that could factor in to how the Jags evaluate selecting him.
Or, hell – there’s a chance that none of these guys end up being the best player to come out of this year’s draft. Kyle Hamilton has been lauded as the guy by many an analyst this draft cycle for his versatility, sure tackling, football IQ, and dynamic play-making ability. If the Jags want a cornerstone type of player in the secondary, Hamilton could be the guy that really rounds out their defense for years to come.
Given that the Jaguars took Lawrence first overall a year ago, I can’t imagine they’re going to be looking for a quarterback. That would usually make for an ideal trade-down scenario for the team at #1, given how many teams would be willing and able to trade up to take the top quarterback in the class. But, I don’t know who would be worth doing that for in this year’s draft. Does someone fall in love with the potential of Malik Willis and reach for the stars with him? Kenny Pickett? Matt Corral? I don’t know.
Ultimately, if you’re going to put a gun to my head, I’m going Neal here. I guess for the sake of tracking this foolish article I write every year, I’m going to officially say Neal. Neal is who I would go with if I were the Jags at this juncture – they have some quality pieces on defense, they have their quarterback, and they have some intriguing pieces at the skill positions. Maybe they surprise us and go Hamilton, but I think offensive tackle should be the pick.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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