by Ryan Mercier
Remember Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel? No? That’s ok. For those who do, this year could be a repeat of the fabled 2013 NFL Draft. Only the bold should click on that link.
Perhaps the talent of 2022 is much higher than 2013, but no one should envy the Jaguars, Lions, Texans, Jets, or Giants who are all tasked with making a top-5 selection. Of course, poor Jacksonville also had a top-2 selection back in 2013. The Jags luck would not be worse if it wasn’t for selecting Trevor Lawrence one season ago. The first obvious red flag for the upcoming draft is the skepticism about the QBs (hello EJ Manuel and Geno Smith of 2013 fame again).
I am no draft expert, but I love basing my opinions on what the many experts out there have to say. Who will the Jaguars take at No. 1 overall? The options seem bleak. Uh-oh.
Aidan Hutchinson – DE – Michigan
This young man is ranked No. 1 by NFL.com, ESPN, PFF, The Ringer, and The Athletic. Here is what appears in the first sentence of the breakdown for Hutchinson on NFL.com, “…is more likely to contend for occasional Pro Bowls than become an All-Pro playmaker.”
Not great!
Lacks elite bend. Does not have great upside. Has a high floor. The safe pick. Fractured his leg/ankle in 2020. He’s not the Bosa or Watt brothers, but…
Those are just a couple of the many things you can find on the guy who is supposed to be picked in the same spot as Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Myles Garrett, and so on. Tony Pauline and Pro Football Network have Hutchinson ranked ninth.
Ickey Ekwonu – OT – NC State
Let’s move on to the tackles. The safest pick, right?
First of all, multiple sites mention him as a tackle OR a guard. Are you taking a guard at No. 1 overall? There’s a little bit out there about Ekwonu’s pass protection ability but there are dissertations about his ability to run block. “The single most dominant run-blocking tackle in the country.” Just what the Jaguars, Lions, and Texans need in 2022!
Ickey has some fantastic traits including multiple mentions of his nasty side, playing after the whistle, and general violence in his play. This would make him a terrific pick at 10th overall.
Evan Neal – OT – Alabama
First of all, he’s actually a left tackle. Probably. We’re off to a better start here.
However, the overall impression from all of the scouting reports is that he’ll be good. Solid. By no means a can’t-miss left tackle. One executive isn’t sure he’s the best tackle in this class.
His concerns are intensity and consistency. Dane Brugler of The Athletic mentions his “balance and sustain skills start to fade as the play progresses.” Sign me up!
Kayvon Thibodeaux – DE – Oregon
Once thought of as the first overall selection, here’s a glimpse into what may be changing team’s minds. Brugler of The Athletic cites a scout saying, “…the arrogance gets old quickly. It’s not an endearing trait.” Thibodeaux was flagged seven times in 2021 and missed two games.
Some of the other issues out there are about his body type, having skinny legs, etc. He has drawn multiple comparisons to being a not-as-good Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney was selected No. 1 overall in 2014 and never reached his (rather immense) hype.
Kyle Hamilton – S – Notre Dame, Sauce Gardner – CB – Cincinnati
Go crazy! The typical choices of linemen or a QB are not enticing so how about a safety or corner with the top pick. CBS has Hamilton ranked as their No. 1 prospect and PFF has Hamilton No. 2. Gardner is ranked in the top-3 on many sites. Let’s do it!
Hamilton had a season-ending knee injury and both he and Gardner have a case of “The Grabbys” when covering downfield. It’s ok though. If you’re Jacksonville, you just trust your scouts and take the first DB selected at No. 1 overall since…1965! Shoutout to Miller Farr.
Summary
It is a cursed year to have the No. 1 overall pick. No team is trading for it. All of the signs are there for a disappointing top of the draft and the Jaguars are going to have to select one of them.
Struggling Actor Sports 