Jacksonville Jaguars: Noah Spence a Possibility at 5?

The Jacksonville Jaguars help at pass-rusher may be a guy from Eastern Kentucky.

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Noah Spence may be the best pass rusher in the 2016 NFL Draft. But why is he behind fellow defensive ends such as Joey Bosa, DeForest Buckner, and Shaq Lawson? The answer is simple.

Off-the-field concerns.

Spence was Urban Meyer’s first five-star recruit in his tenure at Ohio State. The former ESPNU Top 5 prospect started 13 games and played in all of a possible 24 games at Ohio State. Spence registered eight sacks as a sophomore in 2013 and was named first-team all-Big Ten Conference.

However, Spence was banned from football in 2014 after failing multiple drug tests.

Spence wound up at Eastern Kentucky, where he attempted to repair his image. Spence got to the quarterback 11.5 times for the Colonels in 2015.

Had Spence stayed out of trouble at Ohio State, he would, without a doubt, be a top ten pick. Many mock drafts, though, have him being selected late in the first round, or possibly the second.

That could change soon, however.

Phil Savage, the CEO of the Senior Bowl, and a former NFL GM and scout said (via Ray Glier of USA Today),

"“Spence made it a goal of his to graduate in the fall at Eastern Kentucky so he could be eligible for this game, so that gives the scouts something to work with, that was a goal he reached, a hurdle he reached and scouts were impressed by that,”"

Spence was invited to the 2016 Senior Bowl as a member on the South team. The South team that is being coached by Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley and his staff.

At the Senior Bowl, Spence came in at 6’2, 254 pounds. Former Atlanta Falcons All-Pro defensive end Chuck Smith, who has been training the former Buckeye says (via Ray Glier of USA Today Sports),

"“He’s Khalil Mack, separated at birth, an Alpha male on a defense. You watch. He’s a top 25 pick.”"

Gus Bradley says (Hays Carlyon of Florida Times-Union),

"“He’s got a great get off.” He did a really good job in the team session as far as his pass rush. He’s taken advantage of every opportunity he’s had here and it’s good.”"

In regard to Spence’s drug use, Bradley says (via Hays Carlyon of Florida Times-Union),

"“That was part of his past and all he can do is take advantage of his chance. I feel that’s what he’s been doing. He’s been great in meetings and as a teammate.”"

Everyone is raving about Noah Spence.

If I am Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell, I would seriously considering drafting Spence at number five, provided that fellow pass-rusher Joey Bosa and safety Jalen Ramsey are off the board.

After all, Caldwell has said that he will bring in an influx of pass rushers in the offseason.

Even with Dante Fowler and Sen’Derrick Marks returning in 2016, the team still needs help getting to the quarterback. The Broncos showed the world last weekend how important a pass rush is in their route to the Super Bowl.

If Spence is one of the best players on Caldwell’s board, then he needs to select him at number 5. A dream scenario would be getting Ramsey in the first and Spence slipping all the way down to pick seven in the second round.

There is a lot of time between now and the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago in late April. Spence knows he’s going to get a lot of questions regarding off-the-field concerns. And why not? Teams don’t want an Aldon Smith.

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Spence says (via Ray Glier of USA Today)

"“I made a couple mistakes, dumb, young, immature mistakes. It was never part of my full-on character.The fear of failure is always a good motivator. I have that fear.”"