Jaguars 2013 Draft Grades: Ace Sanders
By Luke Sims
November 10, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks safety Ross Rasner (35) knocks a pass away from South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Ace Sanders (1) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Ace Sanders, the fourth round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2013 NFL Draft. He promises to be a shifty slot wide receiver and return man for the Jaguars. At just 5’7″ he may be too undersized to make an impact on the outside, but his role with the Jaguars will be important. He is a playmaker that opens things up for the more “move the chains” type wide receivers like Justin Blackmon and Jordan Shipley.
Sanders is electrifying and that is something the Jaguars need. Head coach Gus Bradley is building a team of football players that have the potential to be home runs and that’s exactly what Sanders is. The previous years with the “base hit” mentality are over and the building of a team around electrifying players is embodied by Sanders.
The production from Sanders in college is what makes him such a great pick. He had nine receiving touchdowns in 2012 with the South Carolina Gamecocks to go with two punt returns for touchdowns. He averaged a superb 15.3 yards per punt return which should pencil him in as the immediate return man for the Jags as they have been poor at returning punts in recent years.
I give Sanders a B+ grade for the Jaguars. He will be an immediate role player in at least special teams and possibly in the offense as well. The Jaguars didn’t need another receiver but the playmaking potential for Sanders is tough to ignore. I like the pick and I think he will help out whomever ends up playing quarterback during the season. OC Jedd Fisch has got to be pleased with the ability of Sanders in his offense.
– Luke N. Sims
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