Former Florida Gator Dante Fowler already concedes the fact that he won’t be the first overall pick on draft night. He even goes as far to say that he doesn’t expect to be the second player off the board. However, when the Jacksonville Jaguars go on the clock with the third overall pick, Fowler expects to hear his name called.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end said he’d be surprised if the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t make him their first-round pick because he says he’s a perfect fit for coach Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme.
“I’d be stunned, just because of the scheme that Coach Gus has,” Fowler said Tuesday afternoon following the completion of the University of Florida’s pro day at Florida Field. “I feel like as far as him being on the multiple side, 4-3 and the 3-4, I can set the edge and I can come off the edge standing up.
“I’ll be surprised [if the Jaguars don’t draft him], but that’s how the draft goes. I’m just happy that I’m getting drafted and I’m getting drafted on the first day.”
Fowler is a perfect fit for the Jaguars’ leo spot, which is a hybrid end/linebacker whose main responsibility is rushing the passer, because that’s what he did during his three seasons at Florida. He played multiple spots, rushing as an end and dropping into coverage as an outside linebacker. He had 8.5 sacks in 2014 and finished with 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in his career. He had 25.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons.
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Fowler ends up being the third overall pick considering Jacksonville’s need for a pass rusher right now. However it also wouldn’t surprise me if the Jaguars opted to go in another direction and drafted a guy like Vic Beasley.
One thing is for sure, nothing is a sure thing with the NFL Draft until you hear your name called by the commissioner. If Fowler doesn’t go third overall, you can bet there will be a few cameras in his face gauging his reaction.