Could Defensive Back Jalen Ramsey be the first overall pick?

Jalen Ramsey is considered the best prospect in the 2016 draft by many experts.  His freakish athleticism and competitive swagger are off the charts.  He also has tremendous versatility with All-Pro potential as either a press man corner or playmaking free safety.

The Tennessee Titans, who hold the #1 draft position, sent a large contingent to Florida State's Pro Day on March 29th and reportedly came away very impressed by Ramsey.  They plan to host Ramsey, who is a Tennessee native, for a private workout in the coming weeks.  He is now considered the favorite to be the #1 selection by more than a few draft prognosticators.

Laremy Tunsil had been considered the probable #1 pick for most of the draft process, but his stock may be slipping just a bit.  Some recent reports have compared him to Greg Robinson, the second overall pick in the 2014 draft, who has underwhelmed for the Rams so far.  Tunsil also has some character concerns and did not run the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine or his Pro Day.

The Titans selected left tackle Taylor Lewan with their first round pick in 2014 after selecting offensive guard Chance Warmack in the first round in 2013.  Protecting quarterback Marcus Mariota, who missed four games with injury in 2015, is a priority for the Titans.  However, many offensive tackles selected in the top five over the last several drafts have not fared well early in their careers, including Matt Kalil, Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher.

Taking a defensive back makes sense for the Titans. They allowed the third most passing touchdowns in the league and the fourth best passer rating in 2015.  Tennessee faces three strong armed quarterbacks in their division between Blake Bortles, Andrew Luck and the newly signed Brock Osweiler.  Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau, who is the architect of the zone blitz, would certainly enjoy confusing quarterbacks with a versatile defensive back like Ramsey.

If Ramsey followed his former Florida State teammate Jameis Winston by going #1 in consecutive years, it would be the first time players from the same college football program went first overall since Southern California produced Ron Yary and O.J. Simpson in 1968 and 1969.  It would be another substantial accomplishment for Jimbo Fisher's Seminoles who also set a record for the most players ever drafted in a three year span after the last draft with 29 total from 2013-2015.

Ramsey could be  the first defensive back chosen #1 in the history of the modern game, since before the AFL-NFL merger.  It has been 60 years, since the Steelers picked safety Gary Glick first overall in 1956.   If Jalen Ramsey is selected with the first pick in the 2016 draft, it would be a historic choice.