Just some hunches for the draft
By Terry OBrien
I was watching some 2007 Jaguar games and reflecting. What happened to the Jaguars and will they be back in for for 2010? I don’t know.
One thing is certain, each team, each year is different. In today’s NFL, the roster turnover is approaching 25% per team. This is getting closer to baseball than the old NFL ever was. With that backdrop, here are some hunches for 2010.
This draft is filled with decent offensive linemen later in the draft. With guys like Kyle Calloway from Iowa, Vladimir Ducasse from Massachusettes, Jason Fox from Miami, and Mike Johnson from Alabama, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Gene stock the offensive line. I do think the Jaguars will start the year with our current offensive line, but add backups and competition. How far would Pouncey fall? I don’t see first round for him, but third round? Maybe.
I can’t rule out a first round draft choice being a quarterback. I think if Sam Bradford is available, it will be a hard decision. One thing that struck me about 2007 was how sharp David Garrard looked and less sharp he looked in 2009. I think they know David’s days are numbered and I can’t help but think this is an area of concern for the club. If not a first round selection, Jarrett Brown from West Virginia looks to be a good value pick later in the draft.
The defense clearly needs help, but not at corner. I think they are sold on Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis as starters. Tyron Brackenridge also played well. The obvious need is Defensive End, but the top first round guys rarely work out. Guys like Koa Misi from Utah or Austin Lane from Murray State might provide value. We need to watch the combines to see what the defensive line guys look like.
A new Wide Receiver might be in the mix, but letting Torry Holt go seems to indicate they want the rookies from last year to get more time. I don’t know if they go wide receiver in this draft. Certainly there are a lot of them this year and anyone from Cincinnati might be attractive. Marty Gilyard is a smart player that Gene might latch on to.
I don’t see them going with a running back in this draft.
So my hunches are the lines, defensive and offensive lines get shored up and possibly quarterback. I don’t know if a Safety is worth taking. It just looks like the meat of this draft where the Jaguars will be drafting is just were they need help, the lines.
Do you see it any different?
– Terry O’Brien