Before we crown David Caldwell the savior of Jacksonville, we should all dust off the archives of 2009 and compare the Jaguars then and now:

Now there are some clear differences.  Caldwell’s team has a new coaching staff, ownership, and even logo and uniforms.  But Shad Khan isn’t going to step on the field any more than the Jags previous owner Wayne Weaver did.  The new logo isn’t going to catch any more touchdowns than the old one did.

While many differences are apparent, there are some similarities between the 2009 team and 2013 team.  Both drafted rookies expected to start immediately, which is always a gamble.  Both have a glaring weakness at pass rush.  Gene Smith chose to draft some secondary players and rely on previously drafted defensive ends Derek Harvey and Quinton Groves to improve.  David Caldwell Chose to draft secondary players and rely on previously drafted Andre Branch and recently acquired Jason Babin.

Did Gene’s plan work? Hell no.

Will David’s? Man, I hope so.

-Lionel Joel

Gus Bradley just screams beauty. Source: USA Today Sports Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2013 draft was a beautifully executed performance centered around a focused plan of action.

In recent years the Jaguars drafted based on trying to fill all holes left after free agency.  The problem with using this strategy is if you have 6 draft picks to fill 6 needs, you live and die with individual success.  If the 5^th round defensive tackle doesn’t work out, the position as a whole fails. They were singularly necessary for carrying a portion of the entire defense’s success.

The Jaguars’ new leadership, headed by David Caldwell and Gus Bradley, realized that the team had major needs, quantified those needs, and attacked only the most pertinent needs.  By drafting another dominating offensive tackle in Luke Joeckel, and multiple strong safeties, cornerbacks, and speedster offensive weapons, the success of a position is now based on depth and competition instead of cross your fingers and hope.

The best part of the Jaguars’ 2013 draft, however, is the genius behind the holes they chose to fill. Caldwell and Bradley took an overview of the team and addressed the Jags pass rush in the best way possible: not drafting a pass rush. Bradley knows that part of what makes a pass rush effective is the initial coverage by the secondary. A physical, aggressive secondary can help a defensive end get to the quarterback more than a great rusher with a swiss cheese secondary. Our DBs were atrocious (Aaron Ross), old (Rashean Mathis), and injury-prone (Derek Cox). There is still potential up front with Andre Branch and Jason Babin to increase production, especially with an improved secondary helping them out.

The offense was addressed equally as graciously by Caldwell. Instead of stubbornly restructuring the offense in one draft, the offensive picks were ones that integrate with the major returning pieces. They found ways to create a harmonious environment for the offense. Instead of replacing Blaine Gabbert/Chad Henne, they decided to protect them and add unique weapons. Instead of finding a cheaper, younger replacement for Maurice Jones-Drew, they added a non-threatening change of pace component to the running game.

The Jaguars seem to be in a very Zen state right now. Everyone is smiling, no toes or egos were stepped on, and the team got better, plain and simple. It will take time to decide if this class is good, but for now the once forced optimism surrounding the Jaguars has turned into relaxed confidence. The Jaguars are still not a good team, but the franchise is now certainly in good hands.

- Lionel Joel

The conventional thought process is that to warrant top ten or fifteen value the player must directly affect touchdowns, either scoring or preventing them.  This means quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, defensive ends, and defensive backs.  For reasons I cannot justify, tackles are the only offensive linemen included in this group.  Sure they protect the quarterback from edge rushers, but a block is a block and getting a consistent interior push that springs a running back free for six points should count for something.

Many people talked about the MVP of the recent playoffs being the Ravens’ offensive line.  Because they came together at the right time, Joe Flacco had more time in the pocket and their running backs, including Ray Rice, had extra space to operate.  The Ravens were able to maneuver their way through a very tough playoff schedule, including road games at Denver and New England, en route to a world championship because of impressive, consistent offensive line play.  No matter how good a team’s quarterback is or how smothering their defense is, a confident and consistent offensive line is the most important piece of a winning franchise.

With seemingly everyone harping about having a great rush or getting to the passer, I think the Jaguars should focus on cementing a dominant offensive line.  We have Eugene Monroe anchoring our line at left tackle.  Outside of #75, the Jags’ o-line has been a rotating door of nobodys and disappointments.  Eben Britton was a bust and no other lineman has performed well enough to garner any long term confidence from the franchise.  That being said, Chance Warmack is the type of player that would add stability and leadership to an area of the Jaguars that needs it very much.

Warmack played for Nick Saban at Alabama, where NFL-ready talent pours out every year.  He has performed in dominating fashion in the last two national championships.  He is used to major exposure and playing against other NFL-ready talent on a regular basis down in the SEC.  Mike Maylock of the NFL Network said he has the talent to go number one overall.  CBS Sports has Warmack ranked as the number two overall prospect.  He started 40 games in the SEC and has no history of injury.  In my opinion, drafting Chance Warmack is a no-brainer for the Jaguars.

The Jacksonville Jaguars do not need to draft ticket-sellers.  Justin Blackmon was that last year.  The new blood coursing through the organization from the front office to the coaching staff, paired with the new logo and proposed video boards, should also energize the fan base.  Everyone is sick of what will sell tickets because deep down we all know that only winning will sell tickets.  If the Jaguars want to win on a long term basis, they should restructure the roster from the interior outwards by drafting a can’t-miss talent like Chance Warmack.

-Lionel Joel