Every year, a very unexpected name crashes the top ten party and throws mock drafts and analysts for a loop.
In 2006, Donte Whitner went 9th overall to the Bills after being viewed as a late 1st round prospect. He had a great rookie year, but since then, his tackle totals have fallen each year and he only has four interceptions in his four year career.
In 2007, the Dolphins reached for the now busted Ted Ginn Jr. at number 9 over Brady Quinn. While Quinn didn’t work out either, Ted Ginn Jr. never emegered as anything more than a kick returner, and they just dealt him for a 5th rounder.
And the Jaguars themselves traded up into the top ten in 2008 to select Derek Harvey. With the team adding Aaron Kampman and already in the market for adding another defensive end, it’s safe to say he’s on his way out or stuck in a rotational role.
Now, the Jaguars are under fire once again by selecting Tyson Alualu, defensive tackle prospect from California.
Most, including myself, had him pegged as a 2nd-3rd rounder judging by what I’ve heard, but there was an outside chance he cracked the top 30. And I think Alualu can have a very solid career.
Alualu was a very productive defensive end in college, playing in the 3-4 defense that usually doesn’t get much respect on the stat sheet. He started 38 straight games for Cal at that position and accounted for 7.5 sacks in 2009, among the best in the conference and not expected for 5-technique defensive ends.
He is very quick off the snap and explodes well into blockers as he pushes them back on his way to the ball carrier. His hand placement and upper body force is impressive and allowed him to get through double teams, something he’ll see on Sundays.
Alualu is also a high character, high intensity type of player. He was voted team captain and won numerous awards for his work ethic on and off the field while at Cal. He also does a great job locating the ball and staying consistent over the course of the game.
However, his biggest concern for Alualu is that he isn’t an elite level athlete and doesn’t have the consistent moves to be an effective pass rusher in the NFL, in my opinion. He would have beena great value in the 2nd or 3rd round because he has the tools to be a starter and could be a good complement to John Henderson long term.
It’s still up in the air if Alualu will be a great player in the NFL and warrant his Top Ten selection. Maybe the Jaguars know something we don’t and he’ll thrive in that system.
GM Gene Smith has come out that he doesn’t care what you think.
“This is not a popularity contest,” Smith told Peter King of SI.com.”I don’t give a damn about perception.”
It’s obvious that the Jaguars are happy about the pick. But with the franchise struggling to sell tickets, will a little known reach at the top ten drive up sales, or give more reason why the Jaguars should leave town.
Jaguars fans, don’t crucify the GM and scouts quite yet for their pick, as it’s unfair to grade a draft just after the selection. But, it is okay to wonder why they reached for a player with limited upside and passed on a franchise difference maker.
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