However, assuming the Jaguars don’t trade back (which is a possibility), there are really only a few prospects that would be worth drafting at #7.

Whether you believe Luke Kuechly to be the man or Quinton Coples really will be worth it, these are who I believe Gene Smith would spent pick #7 on.

1. Melvin Ingram, DE - Ingram is the best pass rusher in the draft.  He doesn’t have prototypical size like Quinton Coples, but he uses his body well and can be very innovative in how he gets to the passer.  He can be used as a 3-4 rush linebacker and claims he can play as a 4-3 end as well.  Based on what I’ve seen, I’m inclined to believe him.  Ingram also has a high motor which is something Gene Smith loves and will probably be a major factor in selecting whomever the Jags choose at pick #7.
2. Stephon Gilmore, CB – A lot of analysts would think this pick is a reach at #7.  It is, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the right move.  The Jaguars secondary could really use some depth and Gilmore could be the future for the Jaguars at cornerback.  If he is the highest player on GM Gene’s board, he will be taken.  Smith has no qualms about grabbing the man he wants when he can have him.  Don’t be shocked if Gilmore gets nabbed as early as top ten here.
3. Michael Floyd, WR - Floyd has some great skills.  He’s big, he’s fast, and he controls his body super well.  To top it off, he plays a major position of need for the Jaguars.  While he has rocketed up many draft boards lately, I’m not certain if he really does have top 10 talent despite his top talent at his position.  While GM Gene will take a hard look at Floyd, I don’t think he’ll be the highest rated player on Smith’s board, especially if Ingram and Gilmore are still around.
4. Justin Blackmon, WR - Blackmon is the belle of the ball for offensive players in this draft.  Luck and RGIII are already wrapped up so it’s really a competition between Richardson and Blackmon as to who will make the most offensive impact for the team that drafts them.  I think Blackmon is that man.  He has said all the right things, his play in college speaks for himself, and he knows how to make a quarterback look good.  The only problem with this pick? He won’t be available at number seven unless the Rams suddenly decide they’re happy with their receiving corps or the Dolphins jump up to get Tannehill.
5. Quinton Coples, DE - I’m throwing Coples on as a “last resort” type at number seven.  While  a lot of information can be garnered in the build up to the draft, it isn’t shocking to see teams stick with earlier draft boards that ignore hype or massive criticism.  I’m calling it now: Coples will be a very good defensive end in the NFL.  So why won’t the Jags take him?  He has shown he doesn’t always try on every play.  He’s also shown that his attitude isn’t the best.  And Gene Smith does not want a locker room cancer.  However, if the Jags don’t take him and he turns out to be the Julius Peppers that the Jags have always wanted, the entire football world will question whomever the Jags took instead.

 Of course, knowing Gene Smith, he’ll trade all of his picks for a player everyone thought was going in the fifth round and grab him at #21 in the first and be happy with a high motor, decent player.

Ok, a little sarcastic, but we all know that Gene Smith will do whatever he wants, criticism be damned.

Who do you think is the most possible player for the Jags to pick at #7?

In Gene We Trust,

- Luke N. Sims

And it’s certainly more fun than yesterday’s WNBA Draft (even if my dear Minnesota Lynx did become better).

Smith thinks he has the upper hand in the guessing and is hoping to trade back.  He has made it clear in numerous news conferences that he is interested in trading with teams to see if there will be any interest.  But is the seventh pick even a good spot to trade up to?  Does anybody really covet somebody who is just outside of being a top-5 talent and on the latter end of the top-10?

There are quite a few top end talents in the area.  Quinton Coples could be the next Julius Peppers…or the next Derrick Harvey.  Melvin Ingram could be the 3-4 rush backer the Packers or Texans dream of.  Michael Floyd could really be worth it at the pick.  Ryan Tannehill’s agent could convince the quarterback starved teams that he is the piece they are missing.

Someone has to be picked at number seven.  And that’s what Gene Smith is hoping.  Because there is nobody at the spot that the Jags really want.

Quinton Coples could be a home run or an absolute bust.  Melvin Ingram could be a massive reach if he doesn’t turn into a good 4-3 end.  Michael Floyd just isn’t Justin Blackmon and his other potential first round counterpart, Stephen Hill, just isn’t worth it that early either.  Nor do the Jags want another young first round quarterback.

It’s a tough position to be in, but the logic is there.  The Jags don’t want or need or want to miss on any of the talents available at seven.

So, ten days out from the draft, they’re going to continue to hold conferences and phone calls to find that one team who thinks they can knock it out of the park at number seven.  But will they find that team?

Gene Smith seems to think so.

- Luke N. Sims

By focusing so much energy and time on drafting small-school players, the Jags miss out on star power that can motivate the fan base and sell tickets.

Owner Shahid Khan wants to get rid of the tarps at Everbank Field.  He is desperate enough to attempt hiring Tim Tebow to do it.

But there’s an easier (and less costly) solution: focus on grabbing stars in college.

Looking Good Mr. Big School. Source: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

As has been pointed out by many writers on Black and Teal, the Jags don’t go after big name prospects often.  Blaine Gabbert out of Mizzou is about as big as they come for the Jags.  Sure he had a good go of it in college, but even he wasn’t the true “star” the Jags really needed.  Nabbing a franchise quarterback is a good way to sell tickets solely because the fans want a new quarterback, but unless he’s the next sure thing out of USC he isn’t going to be bringing in new fans.

I’m not saying the Jags should focus on players like Jamarcus Russell who are complete aberrations, but rather focus on some Big-Ten and Big-12 type  players that guarantee people are interested in the Jaguars for who they’re bringing into the team.

Sure, QB Ricky Stanzi (whom I loved before the 2011 draft) isn’t selling a ton of Chiefs jerseys, but I guarantee the Chiefs gained a lot of fans in the Iowa region for grabbing their wining quarterback.  And some of those fans may just travel a few states south for a game every once in a while.

A couple Rose Bowls give you a bit of attention. Source: Richard Mackson-US PRESSWIRE

Similarly, players like C Peter Konz from Wisconsin and TE Coby Fleener from Stanford have big spotlights on them from their home states.  The Jags may not steal a ton of Wisconsin fans with the Packers being the best aerial show outside of the Red Bull runs, but some people may go “Konz was pretty damn good, I wonder how he’s doing down in Jacksonville…” and flip the channel or pop in for a game on vacation (seriously, it gets cold in that upper Midwest) down in Florida.

I’m not saying Quinton Coples is the answer just because he’s a popular player.  I’m not saying every Tim Tebow that’s available should be drafted.  But maybe, just maybe the Jags should focus on bringing in some more talent from big name schools.  Schools whose players are practically celebrities.  As much as I love OG/T Charles Burton from my alma mater, he won’t be selling tickets for the Jags.

If the Jaguars are serious about running the team more like a successful franchise, that means they need to start focusing on ways to bring the eyes of the nation to Jacksonville.  A good way to do that is winning.  But an easier way is to take the players who already have eyes on them and bring them to Jacksonville.

I’m telling you, the fans will follow.

- Luke N. Sims