Defensive back Ramsey says he should be No. 1
TALLAHASSEE— Jalen Ramsey feels like he furthered his case to be selected No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans at Florida State’s ProDay.
The versatile defensive back opted not to run any timed drills Tuesday after a standout performance at theNFLScouting Combine, but he displayed graceful footwork and hands that would make a wide receiver envious during position drills. Dozens of NFL teams, including the Titans, were in attendance towatch Ramsey and 12 other scholarship players from FSU.
Tennessee, which holds the top pick in the 2016NFL Draft, sent head coach Mike Mularkey, defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau and general manager Jon Robinson to Tallahassee to further vet Ramsey.
“I want them to feel like I’m the best player in the draft. I feel like I am and I continue to show it,” Ramsey said. “Throughmy combine, through my pro day, and whatever else they wantmeto show, I’ll continue to showit.”
Most pundits believe Tennessee is looking at Ramsey and Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil as their top two targets when the draft beings April 28. The last, and only, time a defensive back has gone first overall was in 1956 when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Gary Glick.
Will that number soon rise to two? Ramsey is making it increasingly difficult for the Titans to passonhim and believes he’s the best player in the draft.
“I’ve proven it. I have the résumé for it,” Ramsey said. “You can watch my game film. Wherever you’re going to put the spotlight on me, wherever you’re going to put pressure on me, I’m going to step up to the challenge.”
Ramsey has started at three positions — cornerback, safety, and nickel back — in three years for Florida State while twice earning All-American honors. He blends that versatility and production with superb measurables — Ramsey is an accomplished track standout — and a high football IQ.
The only real flaw Ramsey has heard about during the pre-draft process is whether he can generate enough turnovers to justify being selected so high. Ramsey, who had just three interceptions in three years, thinks he quelled that concern Tuesday as he allowed just one pass to hit the grounding during drills.
“I dropped some interceptions [in college], which is fine, IknowI have hands,” Ramsey said. “I was able to showcase my hands here and at the combine. People can’t dent that I wasn’t always a ball-hawk at Florida State even though I didn’t have as many interceptions as some guys. You can look at the film, I’m always stripping the ball, I’m always around the ball.
“I’m a ball-hawk, can’t deny that.”
Aguayo shines
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FSU kicker Roberto Aguayo enjoyed a successful pro day as he showed off his leg strength and accuracy in front of NFL executives.
Aguayo, whois widely regarded as the top kicker in the draft, missed just one kick and held up well when Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin came onto the field to simulate the NFL strategy of calling a timeout freeze the kicker.
“I finished with that game winner. I made it. After they called the time out and I made it again, so they liked that,” Aguayo said. “I think I had a great workout.”
Coach Jimbo Fisher said one employee from an NFL team told him Aguayo had the most impressive workout they’ve seen in years from a kicker.
Aguayo left FSU following his junior season having made 69 of 78 field-goal attempts and all 198 of his extraattempts. He said he’s hearing he could be drafted between the second and fourth round.
Elliott gets a boost
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Javien Elliott, a former walk-on who emerged as a starter this past season, helped his stock Tuesday.
The diminutive defensive back likely lacks the experience and size to be drafted, but he likely caught the attention of some NFL teams by running the 40-yarddash in4.41seconds while also performing well in position drills.
“Scouts are tellingmeI’m doing a good job overall, but I haven’t talked to a lot of them,” Elliott said. “I ran faster than I thought, but that was my goal to run in the 4.4-range.
“I only need one chance and I’ll take advantage of any opportunity I get.”