Dallas Cowboys (Round 1, Pick 4):
Joey Bosa – Defensive End, Ohio State
Coming into the 2015 college football season, Joey Bosa was at the top of many analysts’ draft board. Fresh off of a dominant 2014 campaign in which Bosa led the Buckeyes to the inaugural BCS playoff championship, Bosa went on to repeat his consensus All-American performance in 2015. Despite the dominant performance on the field, Bosa’s NFL potential may not be quite as high as anticipated a year ago. Though working out for teams as a 3-4 outside linebacker, Bosa’s skill-set projects much more favorably to a 4-3 defensive end.
Bosa goes on to follow in his father’s footsteps (John Bosa) as a 1st round selection, joining a Dallas defense that is seeking to build around young athletic pass-rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory (although both will be suspended at the start of the season due to failed drug tests).
NFL Player Comparison: Jared Allen
Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 1, Pick 5):
Laremy Tunsil – Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss
Although the Jaguars appear to be focused on rebuilding one of the league’s worst defenses, this is a situation where Tunsil is too great of a value to pass up. The massive left tackle from Ole Miss is the top player on many draft boards. Tunsil is a natural pass-blocker, with an impressive ability to recover on blocks even when beaten off of the line by defensive ends.
The Jaguars already have a talented young core of offensive playmakers surrounding to be 3rd year QB Blake Bortles. Allen Robinson is a budding super-star at wide receiver and Jacksonville also has a complementary set of running backs in T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory. Laremy Tunsil will be the glue that holds all of it together. With the potential to be an all-pro left tackle in this league, Tunsil is a prospect that could very well become a pillar on a championship contender. Jacksonville shatters Ozzie Newsome’s (GM Baltimore Ravens) dreams by putting in the card with Tunsil’s name on it.
NFL Player Comparison: Tyron Smith
Baltimore Ravens (Round 1, Pick 6):
DeForest Buckner – Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, Oregon
After the disappointment of Laremy Tunsil going one spot before him, general manager Ozzie Newsome regroups (albeit frustrated) and focuses on the task at hand. Throughout the years the Ravens have shown over and over, the discipline to pick the best player available regardless of team need. While it would be entirely justifiable for the Ravens to leap at one of the remaining offensive tackles or cornerbacks, Newsome opts to fill those needs later.
DeForest Buckner is a unique player and has the least question marks of any of the remaining front-seven prospects. With exceptional size (6’ 7” and 291 lbs.) and natural strength, Buckner dominated at the FCS level by putting up ridiculous numbers throughout his college career. What impresses me most about Buckner is his versatility, with the ability to play as a true 3-4 defensive end or the ability to move up and down the line on a 4-3 front. Watt may seem like a reach as an NFL comparison but take a look at the scouting reports of Watt coming out of Wisconsin.
NFL Player Comparison: J.J. Watt
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Please like and comment if you enjoyed the article, and make sure to check back for the rest of Round 1.
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