JACKSONVILLE – If interior defense is a need, this is a good year.
That has becoming increasingly clear as the 2016 NFL Draft approaches, and NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said it again Thursday:
The defensive-tackle position is not only as strong this year as it has been in recent memory, it perhaps is the strongest position in the upcoming April 28-30 draft.
"I started in 2003 in scouting, and I can't remember this much depth and talent at the position," Jeremiah said during a conference call Thursday that included he and fellow NFL Media analyst Charles Davis.
"It will be interesting to follow the strategy with teams: do you go get these guys right away, or is there a thought process that there's so much depth that maybe we see some of these guys slide down because they know they can get another one in a subsequent round?"
Defensive tackles such as Chris Jones of Mississippi State, Sheldon Rankins of Louisville and Andrew Billings of Baylor are typically rated as first-round prospects, as are Jarran Reed and A'Shawn Robinson of Alabama. Robert Nkemdiche of Ole Miss also has been projected as a possible mid-first-round selection, though production and off-field issues have caused some to project him in Round 2.
Also on Thursday:
*Davis said the possibility remains strong that Florida State cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey could be selected No. 1 overall by Tennessee. No defensive back has been selected No. 1 overall since 1956. "It's not one of those things that's totally out of whack," Davis said. "I'm fairly convinced he is in the discussion about whether they take him at No. 1 overall. "It's in the discussion."…
*Jeremiah said Cleveland still may draft a quarterback No. 2 overall despite recently signing Robert Griffin III as an unrestricted free agent. The Browns' selection there will influence the rest of Top 5, and could determine if a player such as Ohio State edge player Joey Bosa, UCLA linebacker Myles Jack or Ramsey is available when the Jaguars select at No. 5. "I tend to think the quarterback solution [in Cleveland] hasn't been solved in so long, why not give yourself another shot at it? Increase your chances that you've got yourself a quarterback going forward?" Jeremiah said. "They have to solve that position if they're going to be competitive." …
*Jeremiah addressed Eastern Kentucky defensive end/edge rusher Noah Spence. Considered one of the draft's top edge rushers, Spence's stock among some analysts dropped after a disappointing NFL Scouting Combine. "If I had to bet right now, I'd say he goes early in the second round," Jeremiah said. Spence, who began his college career at Ohio State University, had been in the Top 10 in some mock drafts following a standout performance at Senior Bowl in January. …
*Jeremiah said Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib could emerge as a second-round selection "because of that trait he has that he can get to the quarterback." Jeremiah said he doesn't believe Nassib will fall past the third round. …
*Houston cornerback William Jackson III has "an incredible buzz around him," Davis said, adding that Jackson now projects as a possible first-round selection after once being considered a third- or fourth-round selection. …
*Davis also discussed Alabama running back Derrick Henry, saying the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner could be selected earlier than many analysts believe. Many have projected Henry as a Day 2 selection, but Jeremiah said a run-oriented team such as Seattle or Carolina could select Henry late in Round 1. "People like that may have better value on him than some teams," Davis said. …
*Jeremiah said Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State remains the top running back in the draft. "He's not [Rams running back] Todd Gurley," Jeremiah said. "He's not at that level, but this guy has a chance to be a Pro Bowl running back for a long time.'' …
*Jeremiah said whereas defensive tackle is the storyline of the draft, positions such as wide receiver and tight ends are not considered as strong. …
