Starting Thursday, this 2020’s crop of draft hopefuls will be poked, prodded, and interviewed by NFL teams. Whilst the most important aspects of the NFL Scouting Combine for teams are all conducted off the pitch, the spectacle of public workouts has drawn fans’ attention to Indianapolis for years.
With an additional first-round selection thanks to Jalen Ramsey, Jags fans will have a wide variety of early round selections to watch, making the 2020 Combine the most interesting in years.
The Jaguars’ defense is somewhat undergoing an overhaul at the moment. Ramsey’s subtraction left a hole, as did the release of Marcell Dareus (at least temporarily). Meanwhile, Calais Campbell isn’t getting any younger or cheaper.
Oh yeah, add to this the looming uncertainty surrounding pending free-agent Yannick Ngakoue, too.
Clearly, it would be wise for the Jaguars to use some of their draft capital on reshaping what was once a dominant force. With that in mind, here are some defensive prospects for fans of the team to watch this week:
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
With his teammate and fellow top-five talent Chase Young opting to sit out of workouts this week, many feared that Jeff Okudah would do the same. Thankfully for fans, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner is set to tear up the variety of defensive back drills that the 2020 Combine has to offer.
Many are calling Okudah the best cornerback prospect since Ramsey left Florida State, so Jaguars fans should be hoping that an early run on quarterbacks allows another blue-chip corner fall straight to them.
The former Buckeye has elite man coverage skills, good length, and the quickness to thrive in Todd Wash’s scheme. Scouts expect Okudah’s vertical and broad jumps to be impressive, but they will likely be matched with a low 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.
Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
With Dareus on his way to free agency, Derrick Brown could be the perfect replacement and long term focal point of this defensive front. Throughout this season, Brown has shown exceptional first-step quickness and the ability to beat blockers (whether it’s one or two) thanks to his power, speed, and hand quickness.
The absence of Dareus, who suffered a core muscle injury for most of 2019, really exposed the Jaguars’ run defense. With opposing running backs finding plenty of success against Jacksonville’s front seven. This points to the Jaguars needing to reinforce the defensive front before the start of next season.
Brown was a force while at Auburn registering 23 tackles for loss in his last two seasons and would factor in as a day one starter if available for the No. 9 overall pick. With Javon Kinlaw withholding from the combine drills, Brown has the opportunity to assert himself as the leading defensive tackle prospect in this year’s class.
Isaiah Simmons, unicorn, Clemson
Isaiah Simmons is going to scare a lot of people, purely because they won’t know what to do with him. Whilst at Clemson, Simmons spent snaps at safety, middle linebacker, outside linebacker, slot corner and was utilized in blitz packages.
What does this mean? Simply put, Simmons is one of the most versatile prospects seen in the last decade, maybe ever.
We’ve seen versatile prospects fall in the draft in recent memory like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Tremaine Edmunds, both of whom slid in the draft as personnel groups fought over which position they would succeed best in. For those wondering where to play Simmons in order for him to be successful, the answer is simple: on defense.
He will likely slide in as a weak-side linebacker at the next level, but regardless of where teams put him, there is no excuse for passing on someone of Simmons’ athletic composition.
The Clemson captain has the potential to set records amongst linebackers in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump.
K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
One of the most intriguing prospects to watch this week is K’Lavon Chaisson of Louisiana State, who is projected as one of the top pass-rushers in this class although he didn’t produce the amount of sacks most would like (9.5).
The former four-star recruit tore his ACL in the season opener of the 2018 season, derailing all the momentum he picked up in his promising freshman year. However, in 2019 he was able to garner enough attention to prove he’s worth of a first-round grade.
Despite the knee injury, Chaisson still possesses a freakish ability to bend and his athletic traits will make scouts fall in love with his potential regardless of the lack of production. If he tears up his workout as many expect him to, Chaisson could go from a round one pick to a potential top-10 selection.
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Jeff Gladney is a player fans should look towards if the Jaguars don’t address corner with the No. 9 overall pick. There are other corners who various analysts might rank above the senior out of Texas Christian, but the former Horned-Frog has some of the best coverage skills of any corner not named Okudah.
The redshirt senior unfortunately missed out on performing at the Senior Bowl with knee soreness, but should be a full go by the time the defensive backs workout this weekend.
Last year, Bruce Feldman (The Athletic) reported that Gladney ran a 4.34, had the ability to squat 620 pounds, and bench 400. Those numbers alone will entice fans and scouts to peep him this weekend
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Patrick Queen is another one of LSU’s title winning players who has a first-round grade on him this year. The middle linebacker showed his elite speed multiple times last year, excelling in pass coverage and exhibiting excellent sideline-to-sideline speed.
Whilst Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray shows more Day 1 promise, Queen is someone whose potential will garner the interest of scouts. His speed has drawn natural comparisons to former LSU Tiger teammate Devin White, who ran a 4.42 at last year’s combine.
A good showing during Saturday’s drills could see Patrick Queen be one of the annual risers based on sheer athleticism.
