Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Don Juan Moore-Getty Images)
“They should take me not because I’m a Nashville kid. They should take me because I’m the best player in this year’s draft.”
That quote was uttered be Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramesy in an interview with NFL Media’s Albert Breer Tuesday at FSU’s pro day.
With so many different NFL mock drafts predicting Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to be the first overall selection by the Tennessee Titans, it almost feels like a foregone conclusion that Tunsil’s will be the first name called by Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 28th. But, judging by the sizable delegation of Titans coaches and player personnel in attendance Tuesday, Tennessee considers the argument for Ramsey to be taken at that spot just as strong.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson, head coach Mike Mularkey, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, scout Tim Ruskell and director of college scouting Blake Beddingfield were all in attendance at FSU’s pro day observing Ramsey, as well as other prospects. They were joined by representatives of 29 other NFL teams who gathered to drool over Ramsey during drill sessions.
Ramsey, who hails from Smyrna, TN, played for and attended high school at well-known high-school football powerhouse, Brentwood Academy. Despite those connections, he does not want any kind of “hometown discount,” that comes with being selected by the Titans at first overall.
He wants to earn that draft spot.
Jumpman.#ProDaypic.twitter.com/mVHoDK4nFo
— FSU Football (@FSU_Football) March 29, 2016
“I really am hoping they pick me. I am hoping to go No.1. I’ll be blessed no matter what, because it has always been my dream to play in the National Football League,” Ramsey said in a press conference following the pro day. “So whatever team I go to, I’ll give it my all. But people want to go back home and play and I am a competitor, so I am always going for the top spot. It just so happens my hometown team has the spot in this year’s NFL draft, so that is what I am shooting for.”
At this point, Tunsil still seems to be the prohibitive favorite among media members like ESPN’s Todd McShay who joined George Plaster and Floyd Reese on Sports Night last week and shared his belief that the athletic offensive tackle still, “makes the most sense.”
That being said, Robinson has already made it clear that he is more than willing to trade out of the top spot for the right price and could trade back to get Ramsey with a later (but not much later) pick and address the offensive line needs in another round. Robinson also acknowledged that he was impressed with both Ramsey’s athleticism, as well as self-confidence in his abilities.
“You like that at that position,’’ Robinson stated. “You want guys, that when they are going to be isolated on the perimeter, more times than not against the No.1 receiver, or a playmaker offensively, you want them to have that swagger about them where they are saying, ‘I can cover this guy. I can take this guy out of the game.’ Confidence is something that you look for in that position.”
Comments