Gator LB adds a little intrigue at #3 … Normally one would not put a lot of stock in the comments of a player – especially a former Florida Gator – about how good a prospect they were after their pro day, but we will at least give OLB Dante Fowler the mic for a moment or two. Fowler was quoted yesterday after the Gators’ pro day as saying that he would be ‘stunned’ if the Jaguars don’t take him the 3rd pick overall at this month’s draft. Fowler indicated he believes he’s the best fit for Jaguars’ head coach Gus Bradley’s defense which revolved a dynamic edge rusher at the LEO LB spot. Said Fowler: “I can set the edge in the run game and I can come off the edge as a pass-rusher. I’d be surprised, but that that’s how the draft goes.” In fact, Fowler has been one of the two names, along with USC DE Leonard Williams, prominently attached to the Jaguars’ pick in mock drafts around the league, however, Fowler generally only gets assigned to the Jags in mocks in which Tennessee takes Williams rather than Oregon QB Marcus Mariota with the 2nd pick. However, Fowler said he believes he will be the Jacksonville pick no matter who else is available. What makes Fowler’s comments a little more intriguing is that he also implied that’s that is kind of what the Jaguars have been telling him in private conversations. And it appears that the Jaguars have spent a lot of time with Fowler in recent weeks, although who knows what teams tell players during the pre-draft process. For the record, Fowler reportedly went directly to Jacksonville for his on-site visit after the Gators’ workout yesterday. Whatever, if QBs Jameis Winston of Florida State and Mariota are taken with the first two picks this year, and it is looking more and more like that in one way or another as the draft approaches, then Jacksonville will have an interesting choice with the 3rd pick. The Jaguars are a conservative organization which has made almost a fetish out of sticking with their board in the recent past. And while most analysts would still rate Williams the better overall prospect than Fowler the gap has appeared to have closed lately. If Jacksonville does ultimately take Fowler, who played his college literally in their backyard, it could have a major ripple effect in the succeeding picks. Oakland, for example, has long been expected to take a WR – either Amari Cooper of Alabama or West Virginia’s Kevin White – with the 4th pick, however, if Williams were still on the board at that point the Raiders would likely have to switch gears and take the former USC star. That would push Cooper and White down at least another pick and could very well get any number of picking in the teens – think St. Louis, Minnesota, Cleveland (if they are still at #12), Miami, Houston, and Kansas City – seriously considering moving up to get the top receiver prospect. Stay tuned!
