Jacksonville Jaguars

Bennett not bitter about draft experience

Published May. 19, 2015 11:34 a.m. ET

foxsports

You wouldn't blame Jacksonville Jaguars rookie defensive tackle Michael Bennett for being angry. After being projected as a second-day pick in last month's NFL draft, Bennett tumbled all the way to Round 6, where he was taken by the Jaguars.

Rather than being resentful, Bennett is instead focused on the fact he truly believes he's landed in the best possible situation with Jacksonville.

“It’s more and more true every day,” Bennett said, according to the team's official website. “The guys here, the coaching staff, the city – I love everything about it.”

After recording seven sacks for national champion Ohio State last season, most draft analysts had Bennett being taken in either the second or third round. Instead, he saw 179 other players selected before he went to the Jaguars.

“Everybody’s got something to prove,” Bennett said. “I’ve been kind of devalued. That is what it is. All I can do is go get better every day. I’m not going around saying, ‘Screw this coach,’ or, ‘Screw that team.’ It is what it is. They made their business decision to the best of their ability and I fell to the sixth.

"You can't carry around that hate and anger. You have to move forward with it."

It's an attitude that likely will serve him well in the long run. For proof one doesn't need be a high draft choice to succeed in the NFL, Bennett need only look to the locker next to him, occupied by former undrafted free agent Chris Clemons.

“He’s a 12-year guy in the league,” Bennett said. “It’s about keeping your head down, working and not thinking just because you got cut from a team your opportunity is over. The whole ‘drafted’ thing just has to do with how much money you start with in the league. So, I don’t start with as much money as a second-rounder … that’s OK. I’m not a big spender.”

If Bennett's production matches his positivity, his draft status will quickly be a non-issue on the way to a long career.

(h/t Jacksonville Jaguars)

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports