FanPost

The Case for Shamarko Thomas

As the NFL Draft nears, players that aren't considered elite talent tend to rise and/or fall down draft boards at a dizzying rate. Coming off a dismal 2-14 season, the Jaguars are in an advantageous spot in the draft regardless of the route they choose. What position that is picked by the Jags in the first round is almost irrelevant, but what matters more is that the player is a "can't miss" prospect who can perform at a high level for the next five years at the very least.

Now that the "Captain Obvious" points are out of the way, let's talk about some famous picks. The great thing about the NFL Draft is that talent can be found anywhere! All a player needs is one chance and he could develop into the next superstar. Jimmy Smith was a 2nd round pick, Keenan McCardell was a 12th round pick, and that's just to name two of Jacksonville's former icons. While they weren't drafted by Jacksonville, it is proof that talent comes from all of the rounds ; once upon a time, Tom Brady was drafted in the sixth round. That pick has worked pretty well for the Patriots. These examples bring me to the case of Shamarko Thomas...diminutive but freakishly fast and strong. Thomas was 1st Team - Big East selection and was very impressive the last two seasons. His tackling technique could use some work, but otherwise has the tools to be an immediate contributor. Let's face it, Chris Prosinski just isn't working out. Having the #2 pick in the third round, Shamarko Thomas could easily be the kind of pick that transforms the Jaguars on defense.

CBSsports.com has Thomas ranked as the 77th overall player in the draft, but I firmly believe he is in the Top 50. Excellent players can more than make up for their shortcomings, and Thomas did that consistently at Syracuse. His impressive Combine should also put him on the radar of several teams in need of secondary help. Do not be surprised if he comes off the board faster than many experts think. He's a good character guy off the field, a proven safety in a BCS conference, and has freakish athleticism. He'd be my pick if I had a say in the matter.

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