The Jacksonville Jaguars will be upgrading their defense if Todd McShay has anything to say about it. The ESPN analyst released his fourth mock draft on Thursday morning, and it's the first with two full rounds of predictions.
In his previous three mock drafts, McShay consistently had the Jaguars taking Florida State's Jalen Ramsey. Now with free agency over (and Prince Amukamara and Tashaun Gipson signed) McShay has a new favorite for the Jaguars to get with the No. 5 overall pick: Myles Jack.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
The Jaguars have made a conscious effort to get better on defense this offseason. Next year, they'll add free agents Malik Jackson and Tashaun Gipson -- along with 2015 first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. (torn ACL) -- to a defense that finished 31st overall in 2015. But the Jaguars still need a playmaker at linebacker, and Jack fits the bill. A true sideline-to-sideline defender, the UCLA product excels in coverage and can make plays all over the field versus the run.
And with their second round pick? McShay thinks the Jaguars get Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Alexander has one of the higher ceilings in this year's cornerback class due to his movement skills and ability to play press-man coverage. Zero interceptions in 27 college starts is a red flag, though.
Let's just say this right off the bat... I know Mackensie Alexander could slide in the draft. But if he goes all the way to the No. 38 overall pick, I will name my first born son Gus. The fact that Alexander has zero interceptions should be less of a "red flag" and more of an indication of how many passes were thrown his way in college. He allowed just 19 receptions in 2015 for zero touchdowns in 15 games, according to ProFootballFocus.com. Just barely more than one reception per game and no scores. Whew.
I don't like to forego defensive ends like Kevin Dodd (who is still available at No. 38 overall in McShay's mock draft) and when our top three cornerbacks are Davon House, Prince Amukamara, and Aaron Colvin, I don't know if I like taking a guy who is going to straddle the No. 3 and No. 4 spot on the depth chart. I want someone who's going to play the majority of snaps, even in his rookie season.
As far as the Myles Jack pick, I'm for it in the first round. He's the best linebacker in the draft and he'd be a welcome pairing with Telvin Smith. I wouldn't jump up and down, but I'd be more hopeful than I was if he was our first round pick.