With The First Pick
Fansided

Jalen Ramsey vs. Laremy Tunsil: Who is the best prospect available?

By Matthew Godin

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (78) blocks Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Jordan Brailford (94) during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (78) blocks Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Jordan Brailford (94) during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Jalen Ramsey vs. Laremy Tunsil

One of the major story-lines in the 2016 NFL Draft is comparison between two of the top-rated players in Jalen Ramsey vs. Laremy Tunsil.

The 2015 Draft’s top 2 players selected were both quarterbacks. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were asked to step in and start for struggling franchises. Both of them did a commendable job and improved their teams a combined 5 wins from the year before.

This year’s draft class and last years have one significant difference. The top 2 players available could be legitimate Pro Bowlers right from the start. Plus put in the right position they could step in and either solidify or change their team’s direction substantially.

Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey is such a rare breed; he can literally play any secondary position on defense. Since QB’s were wary of the FSU alums talent they avoided throwing in his direction. Despite that he still led the Seminoles in passes defended with 10. Only once in the history of the NFL Draft a player in the secondary has been drafted 1st overall.  Ramsey could buck that trend. He’s been drawing comparisons to Arizona’s Tyrann Mathieu simply for his versatility, rangy skills and almost unlimited potential.

More from With the First Pick

Ole Miss’s Laremy Tunsil is anything but typical. Having some character issues being arrested in 2015 for a domestic dispute, it shows how talented he is that he remains in this position. For a man his size he has great athletic ability.  He has a solid way to absorb oncoming players, as well as the unheard of speed. In 28 NCAA games he has allowed only 2 sacks. He has drawn comparisons to Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith for his similar size, weight and build that makes Smith unquestionably one of the elite lineman in the NFL.

The Tennessee Titans have the 1st overall selection in this year’s draft. Considering the amount of sacks they gave up to poster child Mariota, the decision seems obvious. So I’d go as far to say if the Titans remain number one it seems highly likely they’ll take Tunsil. However, the last 2 O-lineman taken 1st, were Eric Fisher and Jake Long. Both of which eventually proved they were solid starters. The Titans need someone to solidify that line instantly though, so that isn’t guaranteed with the Ole Miss standout.

Cleveland is in possession of the 2nd overall pick. This team is in turmoil currently. So a team in this predicament needs a QB more than anything. They addressed that need acquiring former Redskins phemon Robert Griffin III. So what will the Brown’s do? It seems like they have 2 choices.

  1. Take Cal’s Jared Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz to play behind Griffin as insurance.
  2. Take the best player available in Jalen Ramsey.

When it comes to pure gifts it seems like Ramsey is more of a rarity then Tunsil. If I were in Tennessee and Cleveland’s shoes though having this choice, I’d be feeling very good about my teams future.

Home/Cleveland Browns