Tall, strong, and penetrating defensive lineman with the ability to play on the inside and out are extremely hard to come by in today’s NFL. That special blend of size, talent, and versatility comes by so few times in a player that most teams don’t have one. However, this year’s draft could see a team possessing two players who fit that mold. It is not too far fetched to think that DeForest Buckner and Dante Fowler Jr. would make a formidable duo for the Jaguars this season and beyond.
DeForest Buckner, Dante Fowler, Jr. Would Make a Great Duo for Jaguars
DeForest Buckner of Oregon was an extremely productive player in college. Players invited to the Combine want to have an explosiveness rating of 70 or more and a production ratio of 1.0 or more. Bucker’s production ratio was 2.12, but if you take the average bench press reps at his position his explosiveness score slightly below average at 65.67. Even so, his 291 pound frame suggests he could more than likely bench press higher than the average prospect. He does not lack athleticism and he more than doubles what you want in terms of production while attending a very competitive FBS program. His skill and measurements could be just what the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking for.
The Jaguars have their answer at quarterback in Blake Bortles and have surrounded him with a plethora of young weapons who go by the names of Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson, T.J. Yeldon, Julius Thomas, etc… Not to mention the offensive line is not all that bad, particularly on the left side with Luke Joeckel and assuming they re-sign Zane Beadles.
Where the Jaguars need some real help is on the defensive side of the football, and they began that process by signing Prince Amukamara on a pretty decent one-year deal. Though the team has yet to address the lackluster pass rush from 2015, this is where players like Buckner and Fowler Jr. fit in. Coming off an ACL tear and plenty to prove, all we have to assess Fowler Jr. is his college tape and Combine workout. He played at another legit FBS school in Florida, and produced at an extremely high level (1.96 production ratio). He’s not as big or as strong as Buckner but that’s not to say he’s weak or small, plus he has the freaky speed and first step that will give tackles fits. Put these two on the same D-line and it can cause serious problems for years to come.
The Jaguars have the fifth pick in this year’s draft and Buckner is a top ten prospect. If they draft him in that spot and develop him correctly, in two to three years Jaguars’ fans will be looking at a great pass rush that will help get the ball into the offenses’ hands – an offense that will be equally as great.
