The 2015 regular season is over, and that means it's time for legit 2016 NFL Draft analysis and predictions for the top 20 picks, which are now set. Picking No. 9 overall are the newly Lovie Smith-less Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They just fired their coach who was 8-24 over the past two years, and it's only slightly surprising. Smith hasn't changed much, and the defense -- his forte -- has been putrid. A way the new coaching regime, whoever that ends up being, can start to change that defense for the better is to select FSU defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
The Bucs have no doubt struggled mightily over the past decade or so. There hasn't been much success since the heydays of guys like Ronde Barber, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice and John Lynch. That defense was spectacular. Today, those positions are taken over by players like Jacquies Smith, Jude Adjei-Barimah and Keith Tandy. Who?
Exactly.
Now there are some pieces in place on that defense. Lavonte David is one of the best young linebackers in the league; Gerald McCoy is an excellent defensive tackle; and corner Sterling Moore has impressed as the season went on. But they need more help, especially in the secondary, as the Bucs gave allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete an asinine 70 percent of their passes in 2015. Considering they had a solid sack total with 38 on the year, the issue likely resided in the secondary -- as well as Lovie Smith's Cover 2 scheme.
That's why taking a player like FSU's Jalen Ramsey makes so much sense. Rated as the best defensive back in this draft class by many analysts and scouting web sites, such as Mel Kiper Jr. and CBS Sports, Ramsey is a freakish athlete with excellent size at 6-foot-1, 202 pounds.
What's even more impressive is that he excelled at both safety and cornerback during his college career, and between the two, he's probably the best safety prospect and second-best corner prospect, behind only Florida's Vernon Hargreaves.
Ramsey plays with the confidence, that certain kind of swagger, that's necessary to be an outstanding defensive back. That mentality of no matter how good a receiver is, they're not going to have an easy time getting the ball today. Guys like Darelle Revis, Richard Sherman and Josh Norman have the same look on the field, and it's a big part of their success.
His athleticism and length allow him to jump routes and break up patterns with ease. What's most impressive is probably his comfort level no matter where he is on the field. Whether he's roaming the back end of the defense, playing out wide or near the line of scrimmage, he doesn't ever seem lost or uncomfortable. Ramsey has even played some linebacker for FSU as well.
It'll be interesting to see what the team that drafts him decide where to put him on the field, but if it's in fact the Bucs, expect him to play safety unless Moore doesn't re-sign, as he's a UFA this offseason.
