Jalen Ramsey Is Exactly What The Jacksonville Jaguars Needed
Jalen Ramsey was one of the top defensive players in the 2016 NFL Draft and the Jacksonville Jaguars ended up taking him with the No. 5 overall pick. It was a move that the team desperately needed and they will hope that Ramsey can become a major playmaker in their secondary. Jacksonville has been slowly building over the past few seasons and if Ramsey reaches his full potential, they will take a huge step forward.
Gus Bradley took over as the head coach of the Jaguars and immediately made it clear he wanted a rock solid defense. Ramsey wasn’t a turnover-making machine in college, but he was excellent in coverage and that will translate into big plays at the NFL level.
It has been quite some time since the Jaguars were considered playoff contenders, but they are inching their way closer to getting back to that point.
Jacksonville has built their defense up in a great way, and adding Ramsey should definitely excite the Jaguars’ fan base. He has the talent to become a star at the next level and will definitely earn a big role as a rookie in 2016.
Jalen’s a Jaguar!
Our 1st round pick is @jalenramsey!#JAXDraft16 Central » https://t.co/vS1emdvVBf pic.twitter.com/w7PYoQceSB
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 29, 2016
At six-foot, one-inch and 202 pounds, Ramsey has the size to match up with the better wide receivers in the NFL. He is extremely athletic as well, and has the speed to match up with most receivers down the field.
Looking ahead at the Jaguars’ 2016 season, there is reason to believe that they can be competitive in the AFC South. Blake Bortles will take another step forward and Jacksonville has a solid all-around offense put together with the addition of running back Chris Ivory in particular. They needed to bring in another piece on the defense and that is exactly what they did with this pick.
There is a very good chance that Ramsey will end up being a starting cornerback for the Jaguars and he is more than capable of handling that kind of pressure right off the bat.
"He's a SPECIAL athlete… He's got a wow factor."
Get hyped, @Jaguars fans. @jalenramsey is yours! #NFLDraft https://t.co/8G4aAcuoFh
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2016
Needless to say, this is the kind of pick that can help change a franchise. Ramsey has a great work ethic and will continue improving over the next few seasons. If he allows the Jacksonville coaching staff to teach him and mold him into their defense, there is no ceiling on Ramsey.
Florida State wouldn’t have been the same without Ramsey on the field. He made plays for his team, but also showed excellent leadership for his teammates. That will come into play for the Jaguars as well, as they have been searching for a leader in their secondary over the last couple of seasons.
Don’t be surprised if Ramsey becomes a lockdown cornerback at the next level. Jacksonville doesn’t have a corner that can go up against any wide receiver in the NFL at this point in time, and that could become Ramsey’s role sooner rather than later.
What do you think of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ decision to select Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft? Do you think he will become a lockdown cornerback for the Jaguars? Let us know in the comment box below!
[AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast]
