NFL Draft 2013: Watch Out For The Jacksonville Jaguars
By Luke Sims
Jan 18, 2013; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell is surrounded by the media after a press conference at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NFL Draft is just a few shorts days away. As things wind up for the massive fan holiday we take a look at which teams could have a profound impact come draft day. One team that is certain to turn heads and make an impact is the rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have been unable to field a winning team in many seasons but the new-look Jags have wiped the slate clean, getting rid of a lot of familiar names in favor of finding young talent in the draft and free agency.
So, who exactly are they going to pick in the draft?
We don’t know.
General manager Dave Caldwell has kept his cards close to his vest all offseason and the second overall pick, which is reportedly down to two players, is as much a wildcard in the eyes of the media as any top two pick has been in the past decade. With no definitive top-5 in this year’s draft it isn’t shocking that the Jags’ pick is up in the air. More importantly, though, is that the Jags, with their many holes on the roster, could go any direction and thereby cause a major ripple through the draft.
Caldwell is drafting based on need. The Jaguars need a cornerback, a safety, a pass rusher, a left guard, a right tackle, and a linebacker. Dee Milliner, Kenny Vaccaro, Ezekiel Ansah, Chance Warmack, Eric Fisher, and Dion Jordan, based on need, could all be potential picks. Milliner and Vaccaro would be the highest drafted players at their positions in the history of the draft if they went with them. Ansah would be a gamble at number two overall but his raw potential is tough to ignore. Warmack, a great guard prospect, would be unpopular that early in the draft. Fisher, who would play right tackle for at least a season, would be an interesting use of the second overall pick as well. Jordan, who would fill two needs (linebacker and pass rusher), would be a fine pick. Then there is quarterback. Is Geno Smith really “the guy”?
The question marks abound for the Jaguars in this year’s draft. With so many needs and so many options there is no sure-fire pick and there is the potential for a lot of unpopular picks. As Fox Sports writer Peter Schrager said in a column on Saturday, “Jacksonville is unique in that it’s undergone quite a change in its look and personality over the past several months, as well.” That uniqueness makes them a force in round one. Owning the 33rd pick lets them set the tone for round two as well.
– Luke N. Sims
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