With Jared Goff and Carson Wentz likely to be taken up with the one and two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, defensive players are in desperate need for the teams with the top 10 picks.
The San Diego Chargers have the third pick of the NFL draft, and it is highly doubtful that they are going to waste their pick on an offensive lineman. San Diego needs to improve its defense, noted by giving up 2,000 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns during the 2015 season.
Logically, Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner would fall perfectly in line with the Chargers, who need a good run and pass defensive player. Buckner has the size for the NFL, standing at 6-foot-7-inches and 287 pounds. He can make life difficult for offensive linemen.
As a plus, Buckner went to the University of Oregon, a program that knows something about winning. The sports culture in Eugene, Oregon, will certainly help bring the party back to life in San Diego.
For the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry World is looking like losers’ world with how horrible this team played in 2015. Yes, the Cowboys suffered a lot of injuries, including losing quarterback Tony Romo to a broken collarbone.
It is defense, however, that takes most of the blame for the failures in Arlington. The Cowboys gave up 23.5 points per game last season, and if their defense does not improve, they will be watching the playoffs from that large TV screen at AT&T Stadium.
Selecting fourth in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa is who the Cowboys should select because of the suspension of Demarcus Lawrence. Bosa, unlike the mess that is Greg Hardy, is far more disciplined and could actually help the Cowboys understand the definition of defense.
The last time Dallas made a top 10 selection, the Cowboys drafted offensive lineman Tyrone Smith. Smith ended up playing in the Pro Bowl by his third year in the league. Who says that Bosa cannot do the same?
Going back east, Jacksonville has not played in January since 2007. They have been so putrid since that the Jaguars have not had a winning season in nine years.
Offensively, the Jaguars have some potential star breaking pieces with Allen Robinson, Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon, and Julius Thomas. If quarterback Blake Bortles can keep improving, the Jaguars have an arsenal of weapons.
Defense is another story, but backs are not as crucial of an issue with Prince Amukamara and Nick Marshall. Dante Fowler Jr. was selected third overall in last year’s draft, so getting another quality defensive player would help make Jacksonville a scary opponent for offensive powerhouses.
Standing 6-foot-1-inch and weighing 245 pounds, UCLA linebacker Myles Jack is one of the most athletic and explosive defensive players in the draft. He gave offensive opponents complete tantrums at the collegiate level. Jack is a guy who is able to make plays all over the field, and those plays could be what sends Jacksonville to the top of the AFC South and help them get that elusive playoff spot.
Watch out for these defensive players, while there are many others who will go into the top 10 of the draft. Defense always wins games in sports, but these defensive players could help win a championship or two in the near future.
