Detroit Lions: Top NFL Draft Pick Options
By Jeff Risdon
Jalen Ramsey
The sales pitch
Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
In 2014 Ramsey was arguably the best safety in the nation, helping key a tough Seminoles defense. In 2015 he’s been one of the best cornerbacks, showing his instinctive talent and overflowing athletic gifts translate to more than one position. Ramsey is an aggressive, confident cover man with excellent size and functional length. He has the ability to run the routes for receivers, but he can also destroy the run game…
Big time play by All-American Jalen Ramsey! Seminoles stuff Clemson on 4th & 3 » https://t.co/M1cEuGZ9QA #FSUvsCLEM
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 7, 2015
Detroit’s goal is to win the NFC North, and that means stopping Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and the emerging passing attack in Minnesota, and Ramsey immediately upgrades the entire secondary.
The downside
The most obvious is, what position does he play? His best NFL spot is the free safety position, but the Lions already have an above-average player there in Glover Quin. While he would represent a big upgrade over the aged Rashean Mathis at the corner spot opposite Darius Slay, the new coaching staff might not find him a great stylistic fit on the outside; see Darrelle Revis in Tampa Bay.
Ramsey does not have the tightest turn radius for a defensive back and doesn’t always locate the ball in the air. No defensive back has been selected No. 1 overall in the Super Bowl era, so there is no real precedent for just how much he could impact the game compared to another position.