October 20, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Josh Evans (9) reacts after they beat the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 44-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Evans was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the first pick in the sixth round.  He is a gifted safety with size and no aversion to using his body to punish offensive players.  The guy is in the aggressive defender mold that head coach Gus Bradley loves.  He makes a strong addition to an incredibly weak secondary and is the second safety selected in the 2013 NFL Draft (Jonathan Cyprien was selected in the second round).

I have said I like the Evans pick.  He played in a big program at Florida and he worked his way up to be a full season starter, accepting more and more responsibility each successive year. His 2.5 sacks to pair with his six passes defensed and three interceptions displayed a versatility that the Jaguars could use.  He is fluid in his movement and quite quick.

As much as I like the pick, I wonder what his role will be.  There is no doubt that he will be an immediate special teams contributor with his strong tackling skills (led Florida in 2012), but on defense he will have stiff competition from Cyprien at strong safety and free safety Dwight Lowery.   Lowery has the ability to play very well and will likely be motivated to play even better to make sure he can stave off Evans as he searches for playing time at either strong or free safety.  I fully expect him to outplay current backup safety Chris Prosinski, who is terrible all around, and become the primary backup, possibly at both safety spots.

Evans’ versatility and his likely imminent placement as the primary safety backup leads me to grade him as a B player.  I don’t expect him to get much playing on defense, at least not in his first year, but I think that he has the physical tools to someday really challenge and move into the spots.  His ambition and constant desire to rise will force those above him to play better, which is of value to the weak Jaguars secondary.

- Luke N. Sims

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Nov 24, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Josh Evans (9) celebrates after linebacker Jelani Jenkins (not pictured) made an interception against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected their first University of Florida player, safety Josh Evans.  Evans, who is 6’1″ tall, is a schematic fit for the Jaguars.  Head coach Gus Bradley has got to be pleased to have another long secondary player to pair with third second round pick Jonathan Cyprien and third round pick Dwayne Gratz.

Evans looks to be safety depth for the Jags, probably behind Cyprien.  He had three interceptions and six passes defended in 2012 with the Gators.  He paired that with 2.5 sacks during the season as well.  On the 2012 team, his first season starting every game, he led the Gators in tackles.

I like the Evans pick, especially since he adds a lot of competition to an incredibly thin secondary.  Evans could force out backup Chris Prosinski in the offseason which is exactly what a lot of Jaguars fans want.  Prosinski was absolutely terrible during the season when filling in for the now-ex Jaguar Dawan Landry.  Evans would be a major upgrade over Prosinski as a backup.  Evans was a top performer in the 20-yard shuttle among safeties at the combine and he was the top performer in the three cone drill among safeties.  He figures to be an immediate special teams contributor.

Check the draft grade here.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

November 17, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd (73) points against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 23-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It may come as no surprise now, but Sharrif Floyd has risen all the way up to number two overall in Fansided.com’s weekly mock draft.  Floyd, a defensive tackle for the Florida Gators, has jumped way up draft boards over the last couple weeks.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could use help all along the defensive line and Floyd would likely be an upgrade over C.J. Mosley Tyson Alualu in the middle of the D-line.  Floyd could be the penetrating defensive tackle the Jags may need to collapse the pocket and open up opportunities for the pass rushers on the outside.

Here is what Josh Sanchez had to say about the pick:

Sharrif Floyd is one of the quickest rising prospects in the 2013 draft class and has gained some momentum as a potential No. 1 pick. Unfortunately for Floyd, he is not a good fit in the Chiefs 3-4 defense. Fortunately for the Jaguars, they need a defensive tackle and help with the pass rush. They get both of those in Floyd.

That sums it up pretty succinctly.  The question now becomes: is Floyd really worth it?  Should the Jaguars focus on bolstering the edge rushers or perhaps snag quarterback Geno Smith at number two?  Personally, as much as I think Floyd could be successful in the NFL, I am hesitant to spend pick number two on a defensive tackle that is experiencing the meteoric rise that some first round busts do just before the draft.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims