Black and Teal » Geno Smith

To QB or not to QB? Round 2 Questions For The Jaguars

Zain — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:29:43 +0000

Talk about a dream scenario – not only did the Jaguars get the top guy on their board, but they also have every viable quarterback available to them at pick 33, and likely a significant amount of trade interest as well. With quarterback-needy teams behind them, the quarterbacks left on the board are now looking like good value – a guy with Geno Smith’s talent doesn’t look so bad at the top of the second round. But that’s not all the Jags have available to them – basically every major position of need has some potential first round talent available. How do you feel about some immensely talented defensive lineman with some question marks – Tank Carradine, Damontre Moore, or even the immensely raw Margus Hunt could fit the bill. How about a big press corner? Johnthan Banks, Jamar Taylor, Darius Slay, or even David Amerson could get some play here. The bottom line is this draft worked out as well as it could have for the Jaguars in the first round – now the question for them centers around whether or not they can afford to move back. At this point in the draft, Caldwell has the opportunity to do exactly what he did in Round 1 – take the top player on his board, and at the same time, potentially fill a huge need. But how much of a difference is there between some of the players on his board? Is there a prospect in his eyes that represents incredible value here (say, a QB like Geno Smith or Matt Barkley, or a player like Tank Carradine that has dropped due to medical circumstance), or does Caldwell use this pick as the stepping stone to acquire more picks (and thus players) in the draft?

Could Carradine be the guy? Source: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

If the Jaguars stay at 33, there’s not a lot here that could surprise me as the Jags truly have a number of options with this pick. I’m personally partial to one of the pass-rushers left, Carradine and Moore, despite the concerns about them. Carradine might not be a perfect scheme fit in the Gus Bradley defense, but I could see him as a LEO-type player. Carradine is one of the many JUCO transfers in this draft and has only been a full-time starter for one year with the Seminoles in which he tallied 11 sacks in 12 games. He did, however, dominate the JUCO-league prior to moving to the ACC, with a 16 sack sophomore season.

On the other hand, Moore is a player with more serious concerns (see what I did there?). A lack of motivation and maturity, along with perhaps average-at-best athleticism make Moore a riskier pick, despite his experience playing the Joker (LEO-ish) position at Texas A&M. Who better to know him than the Jaguars’ newest member that played across for him for three years? Luke Joeckel, your contribution to the Jaguars starts now!

Despite both of those defensive players having the ability to immediately upgrade the Jaguars pass-rush, the front runner for this pick has to be Geno Smith (with Matt Barkley as the potential darkhorse). He’s a very gifted passer of the football, and in the second round, the issues limiting him as a prospect (eg pocket awareness, deep-ball accuracy, reading coverages) are more palatable. I feel similarly about Matt Barkley and his weaknesses. While spending the 33rd pick on one of these quarterbacks may seem risky given how poorly non-first round quarterbacks tend to end up, I can’t imagine any other pick having as much franchise-changing potential as Smith or Barkley. Hope Caldwell and Bradley planned on staying up late tonight – they’ve got some big decisions to make tomorrow!

- Zain Gowani

Final 2013 NFL Mock Draft – Includes 7 Rounds of Jaguars Action!

Jason Love — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:06:29 +0000

Apr 24, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Select NFL prospects wave atop the marquee before for the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Super Awesome Fun Time Draft Spectacular: Limited Edition

This is my final mock draft of the 2013 Mock Season. Included inside are a full 1st round and 7 rounds of Jaguars goodness. Follow the link to check it out!

1.1 – Eric Fisher, OT, CMU

The Chiefs take the more aggressive of the two top tackles.

1.2 – Luke Joeckel, OT, TAMU

TRADE — The Lions really want to protect their young QB after losing their two starting tackles. They move up and snag Joeckel after KC bypasses him.

1.3 – Sharif Floyd, DT, Florida

Penetrating DT that can help restock the DL for the Raiders.

1.4 – Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

Dion Jordan gets grabbed before the Jags can pick. He can play DE or OLB for the Eagles.

1.5 – Geno Smith, QB, WVU

People seem to forget that the Jaguars are relying more on analytics than in the past. The Lewin Scale has been a pretty good indicator of good QBs (with a few outliers) and Geno is one of the higher scores.

1.6 – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

Dee Milliner and Joe Haden? The Browns are building a really nice D. They just need to add a few more pieces (OLB, S) and they could be elite.

1.7 – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Cards need to better protect their signal callers, whoever it may be. Johnson helps strengthen the line.

1.8 – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

Smokescreens aside, this pick makes too much sense.

1.9 – Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

This is an obvious pick it seems.

1.10 – Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU

Ansah is the answer and the Titans can’t pass up this opportunity to improve their pass rush.

1.11 – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

The Bolts need to protect Rivers and Warmack is a good step in that direction.

1.12 – Tavon Austin, WR, WVU

What?? Yes. This pick. They trade for Brandon Albert and make this an easy choice.

1.13 – Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU

The Jets need to replace Revis. Here’s the answer.

1.14 – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

The Panthers have bad DTs and Star would be a steal at 14. Easy choice.

1.15 – Sheldon Richardson, DE, Missouri

The Saints could use a DE in their switch to the 3-4. Another option could be a rush backer, maybe Jarvis Jones.

1.16 – Kenny Vacarro, S, Texas

St. Louis actually has a pretty darned good defense, but could use some backend help. Vacarro helps solidify the secondary.

1.17 – Jarvis Jones, OLB, UGA

The Steelers could opt for a wide receiver, but having Jarvis Jones available is too good to pass up.

1.18 – Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC

The Cowboys are switching to a 4-3 defense and need some meat in the middle. Williams is a penetrating 4-3 DT.

1.19 – DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

The Giants need a tackle to protect Eli. Fluker can do that.

1.20 – Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC

The Bears OL stinks. Cooper could really improve it. They could also go after a LB.

1.21 – Menelik Watson, OT, FSU

The Bengals don’t seem to be on the path to re-sign Andre Smith, so Watson would seem to be a logical choice.

1.22 – Alec Ogletree, LB, UGA

Ogletree helps the edge for the Rams with speed and athleticism.

1.23 – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

Replacement for Harvin.

1.24 – Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama

A NT for the defense. The Colts could really push deep into the playoffs if the defense was even average.

1.25 – Kevin Minter, LB, LSU

The Vikes need some reinforcements on the defense and Kevin Minter is the first of many to come to the rescue.

1.26 – Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Green Bay, being Green Bay, sits and waits for someone to fall to them. Trufant becomes a starter for them somewhere in the secondary.

1.27 – DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

Adding Hopkins to the already potent Texans offense will really make them elite.

1.28 – Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU

The Broncos lost their playoff game last year because of a secondary mistake. Cyprien helps to strengthen the secondary and will play next to Moore.

1.29 – Robert Woods, WR, USC

Woods seems destined to fit with the Pats. An overall good player, he should be a fit. Datone Jones could also be the pick.

1.30 – Tank Carradine, DE, FSU

The Falcons need a defensive end and Tank Carradine is still on the board

1.31 – Tyler Eiffert, TE, Notre Dame

The 49ers replace the lost Delanie Walker with Eiffert, an athletic pass catcher.

1.32 – Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State

The Super Bowl Champs replace Ray Lewis with an extremely athletic LB.

______________________________________________________________________________

1.2 – TRADE! – Some team trades up for Fisher, OT. Jags get a 5th out of the move down. Let’s pretend Detroit makes the move.

1.5 – Jags select Geno Smith, QB, WVU. The new emphasis on metrics and analytics, combined with the production and skill set of Geno make it an easy choice, seeing as he is one of the best scores to ever come through the Lewin scale. “But what about the LEO?” Well, too bad. I want one too, but the Jags believe in the numbers and the tape and take what could be a game-changer in Smith.

2.33 – TRADE! AGAIN! This pick is gonna be hot, too hot to keep in fact. Some team is going to fall in love with a guy Thursday night and be coaxed into believing they have no shot at them by the Jags brass unless they move up. Let the bidding war begin. I’m gonna pretend a team wants a QB, and that team is Jets and they give up a 3^rd to get to 33 from 39.

2.39 – Cornelius Washington, LEO, UGA. Is he overdrafted? Probably, based on tape, but not on athleticism. He was used incorrectly at Georgia and looks to be a big time LEO candidate. He starts his career as the sub-LEO on passing downs.

3.64 – Another trade? Naw, not this time. Jags select Kyle Long, RT, Oregon. Long has length and athleticism and should fit right in at RT in the ZBS.

3.72 – The Jags look to fortify their LBing corps with the addition of Sio Moore, OLB, UConn. Moore has speed, size and strength. Replaces Russell Allen sooner rather than later.

4.98 – Jags want to use their 4^th on a CB that fits the mold and with it, they select Sanders Commings, CB, UGA. A sizable CB, Commings fits in the press corner style the Jags want. Two Dawgs? Who cares.

5.135 –Jags start to go towards high ceilings now to try to find some gems. Lavar Edwards, DE, LSU is a 5-tech who could battle with Lane for the starting position. He possesses the size and pedigree to potentially be good.

5.137 – Jags grab another RT prospect in Reid Fragel, T, Ohio State. A massive man at 6’8”, he battles Long and Bradford for the RT spot.

6.169 – Jags get a SS candidate in Cooper Taylor, SS, Richmond. A 6’4”, linebackeresque safety who will be asked to play the line of scrimmage and TE’s, Taylor fits into the Cam Chancellor role.

7.208 - Jags continue to fill out their secondary by selecting Sheldon Price, CB, UCLA. A corner with length and speed, he fits the mold of what the Jags want.

My Final Mock Draft Before The Big Dance

Dave — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:11:45 +0000

No need for an introduction. It’s showtime!

1. Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M:

I just can’t see them picking anyone else but Joeckel. He’s a franchise left tackle for your new QB. Brandon Albert can cry Andy Reid a river.

2. Dion Jordan, OLB/DE, Oregon:

The Jaguars need a boost along the defensive line. The unit only collected 20 sacks last season. It’s a stat that’s burned into my head. The Jags do not have an athlete like Jordan on the roster right now, let alone a pass rusher like Jordan.

3.* MIAMI SWAPS FIRST ROUNDERS WITH OAKLAND AND THROWS IN THE 54TH OVERALL PICK.* Eric Fisher, LT, Central Michigan:

Jeff Ireland continues to swing for the fences and gets the tackle the Fins need.

4. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama:

I don’t buy it. I believe Milliner is a top 5 pick in this year’s draft, and Philadelphia needs fresh faces in a secondary that lost Nnamdi and DRC.

5. Lane Johnson, LT, Oklahoma:

Do the Lions even have someone who can play LT? Riley Reiff will start somewhere along the line. If Detroit gets Johnson here, Reiff can go to RT. I don’t think there’s that much seperation between Fisher and Johnson in the first place.

6. Ezekiel Ansah, OLB/DE, BYU:

The Browns are yet another team transitioning to a 34 and they will need LBs who can stand up and rush the passer. Ansah is the best pass rusher left on the board. When need meets BAP…

7. Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama:

The Cardinals need something along their offensive line, and recently there have been rumblings that Arizona isn’t that unhappy with tackles Levi Brown and Bobbie Massie. Warmack right here would add some push to the interior of their offensive line and that’s putting it lightly.

8. Geno Smith, QB, WVU:

No way they take just Kolb and Jackson to camp. Smith goes to Buffalo.

9. Barkevious Mingo, OLB/DE, LSU:

This is the Jets’ “guy”. I believe this is where Mingo should go. He’ll be a good fit in their scheme.

10. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah:

Wow look at that. I’m under the impression that the Star created the Sharrif. Now that the heart checks out, Star is once again a top 10 pick.

11. Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC:

The Chargers need a guard like Cooper. They just need anything along the offensive line, and Cooper is one of the best players in the draft. San Diego gets a steal with this one.

12. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida:

It’s a good thing Oakland traded back. This was the player they wanted all along, but now they’ve regained the 2nd rounder they lost.

13. D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston:

Hayden has been a very fast riser as of late. He had a very serious heart injury that caused him to fall drastically early on. Anyways he’s healthy now and his talent is obvious. New York gets him at 13 to shore up a secondary that just lost Revis.

14. Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU:

The Panthers will need someone who can cover the likes of Roddy White, Julio Jones, Marques Colston, and Vincent Jackson. Rhodes isn’t the highest rated player on their board, but they need good cornerbacks.

15. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia:

Rob Ryan needs outside linebackers in the 34 defense that is now being implemented in NOLA.

16. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas:

St. Louis is looking pretty barren back there. Vaccaro will address so many issues in their secondary and will shore up the back end of the defense.

17. Cordarelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee:

They need more WRs and Patterson is the best one available. They’ll have to have someone who can compliment Antonio Brown which Patterson should do nicely.

18. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

The Cowboys are switching to a 43 and currently do not have a true 3 tech. Richardson provides the Boys with a true 43DT.

19. Bjoern Werner, DE, FSU:

The Giants go Dline all the time! Werner will get in on a rotation that already includes J.P.P and Justin Tuck.

20. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame:

I’m sorry I just can’t see them taking Arthur Brown right here. Instead they get the best TE in the draft to further improve their terrible batch of TEs which should get better in 2013 with Eifert and FA acquistion Bennett.

21. Tavon Austin, WR, WVU:

The Bengals need someone who can draw attention away from AJ Green. Austin could be a weapon for Dalton and this offense that needs more than the Dalton/Green connection.

22. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson:

Mr. Poop On The Walls himself had yet another workout with St. Louis this week. Despite his fecal art work, he is the “most polished route runner in the draft.” He’s got first round talent and Fisher isn’t afraid to take risks with character.

23. Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington:

Because Minnesota needs CBs. As it stands they have Chris Cook, Josh Robinson, Brandon Burton and AJ Jefferson while losing Antoine Winfield. Trufant will bring a brand new attitude and be a confident corner to a group that seems to lack just it.

24. Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama:

Seems like everyone is switching to a 34…NT is one of the most important positions in the 3-4. Without it, it just crumbles. Williams is one of the only true nose tackles in this draft and he’s a necessity to Indy.

25. Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia:

Right now the Vikings are starting Tyrone McKenzie at MLB who has a career 17 tackles in his 3 year career. Now Ogletree isn’t exactly the picture perfect portrait of a role model, but he does have the athleticism to take over at MLB for the Vikes.

26. Damontre Moore, OLB/DE, Texas A&M:

The Packers are starting Erik Walden at ROLB. They will need an upgrade at that spot. Moore has fallen from grace, but he’s still a borderline first round talent. Green Bay gets him at 26.

27. DJ Fluker, RT, Alabama:

Penciled in starter Derek Newton is recovering from major surgery. They don’t have a lot of depth at this position so they go with the best right tackle available in DJ Fluker.

28. Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International:

Mike Adams is 32 and Rahim Moore is Rahim Moore. Cyprien is the type of all around safety that immediately makes this defense better.

29. Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee:

Hunter is a very underrated draft prospect. The Patriots need some WRs…more specifically WRs with size. Hunter is very under the radar, but he has the physical tools and the talent. I like him better than Keenan Allen (injury concerns) and DeAndre Hopkins (Mr. PoopOnTheWalls).

30. Datone Jones, DE, UCLA:

Signing Osi this offseason…well…we’ll just see how it works out, but I’m not a fan of it. The Falcons will need to beef up their pass rush. Jones can get to the QB and will be an immediate upgrade over Kroy Bierman.

31. Eric Reid, S, LSU:

San Fran lost Dashon Goldson to Tampa in free agency. Craig Dahl is not the answer on such an elite unit. Reid offers the type of aggression, versatility and physical play that will fit in perfectly for the 49ers.

32. Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State:

The Ravens continue the reconstruction of their defensive unit. They will need someone to line up opposite of Ladarius Webb. Webb and Taylor will make a great CB tandem. Taylor has been a very fast riser. In 2012 Boise State finished as the 4th best passing defense and only allowed 3 passing TDs all year. Taylor was a major part of that having broken up 9 passes and getting 4 picks last year. He runs a 4.37 and is a good overall athlete.

What in the world are we gonna do when the draft is over? Enjoy it, folks!

-David R. Johns