There are two things you need to have in order to be successful in the NFL: a quarterback and somebody who can get to the quarterback.
While the 2015 NFL Draft doesn't have a ton of quarterbacks, it is loaded with pass rushers. The edge rushing position might even be the deepest this year, representing one of the best class of pass rushers in recent memory. Following a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine and plenty of tape to back him, Florida's Dante Fowler, Jr. has risen to the top of the rankings at the position and seems quite confident he'll go no lower than third overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With that in mind, NFL Media analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks put their scouting hats back on recently on "NFL Mock Draft Live" and debated the following question: Is Fowler worth a top-five draft pick? Not unexpectedly, each had a different take on where Fowler should go in the draft.
Brooks' Take
"Absolutely not. When I look at a top-five talent, I want a transcendent player, a guy that is going to come in, and within the first two or three years of his career he'll become one of the best players at his position. While I like Dante Fowler -- he plays hard, he's a big hitter, he brings a lot of nice things to the table -- he's good at a lot of things but isn't dominant at anything.
"In a top-five talent, I'm looking at a transcendent star, and I'm not convinced Dante Fowler is going to be that."
Jeremiah's Take
"He's very explosive. He's a jack of all trades but you could say he's a master of none because (Florida) asked him to do so many different things. I could say the same things last year about Khalil Mack when he came into the draft.
"If you ask the Oakland Raiders if they're pleased about what they got in Year One out of Khalil Mack, I think the answer is a resounding yes. Whoever selects Dante Fowler, and I do believe it will be in the top five of this draft, that team is going to very happy with him, as well."
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
