Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: Two-round mock for all 32 teams across the league

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks is sacked by linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks is sacked by linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

player. 52. . Inside Linebacker. Boise State. Leighton Vander Esch. 29

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost inside linebacker Paul Posluszny to retirement, making this one of the more pressing positions needing to be addressed in the NFL Draft.

Fortunately, there aren’t too many for a stacked Jags defense.

He might be a bit of a reach in Round 1, but Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch would be a nice pickup at No. 29 overall. Vander Esch was amazing against the run last year, which was one of Jacksonville’s bigger defensive weaknesses in 2017.

Sure, Vander Esch is a bit raw and will need some refinement. But the overall talent is there, and he could be a mainstay for the Jaguars defense for a long, long time.