Wishlist for the Jaguars’ 2nd and 3rd Draftees
By Zoltan Paksa
In my previous article I gave out my grades for 1st round prospects, but we all know the draft is not just about one round. So in this upcoming two-part series, I will list my dream candidates for the later rounds. Today, I will be discussing some intriguing talents, who could be great additions if GM Gene pulls the trigger on the 2nd day of the draft. Here they are…
2nd round prospects:
- Stefen Wisniewski (C/G, Penn State)
This guy has all the features Gene Smith loves. Team captain, leader, senior, All American (and also Academic All-American, so he’s smart), good character guy, and a BIG MAN, which the general manager likes to draft in the early rounds. He can play center (sooner or later the Jaguars must find a true replacement for Brad Meester) and guard (although Uche Nwaneri just got a new long-term contract and Vince Manuwai looked to be in 2007 form again, the Jaguars must develop a real alternative here (especially for Manuwai) and I don’t see anybody viable behind them (I don’t liked the Justin Smiley experiment, I think the Jags got very little from that trade). I think drafting Wisniewski means you get a building block in your starting offensive line for around 10 years and can play multiple positions. If he is there when the Jaguars pick in the second round (which would be very lucky) at #49 overal, I think he will be the pick (unless Christian Ponder is somehow still there).
- Leonard Hankerson (WR, Miami FL)
Rumor has it that the Jaguars want to add another receiver to the roster via the draft and want to do so early. Although I’m okay with the current receivers (Mike Thomas, Jason Hill, the returning Jarett Dillard, Kassim Osgood, and the development guys – Underwood, Hughes, and others), I think the Jaguars need to find a young WR who can step in and contribute in the case that one of the Thomas/Hill/Dillard trifecta gets injured. I think Hankerson offers a good package that can boost the Jaguars offense. He is great route runner, will definitely give his team plenty of YAC because he is hard to tackle, blocks well, has great hands, and comes from a collegiate program that produced Michael Irvin, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson. He was a team captain, as well. I think he could make any QB a dangerous weapon, and paring him with Mike Thomas and Jason Hill/Jarrett Dillard and Marcedes Lewis at TE would make the Jaguars passing game extremely dangerous (just what the doctor ordered for Maurice Jones-Drew).
- Greg Jones (ILB, Michigan State)
Now let’s look at a defensive talent. Right now, nobody knows if the Jaguars want to bring back Kirk Morrison or not, but the signs tell me that maybe a replacement version of him is more likely. If so, the Jaguars must find a replacement at MLB and I have a great candidate for the job in the Spartan ILB. He is a senior, who led his team in tackles all 4 years. He was an All-Amercian selection twice. He is athletic, has all the instinct required of the position, and has a never-stopping motor. He is a leader, a really tough player with great work ethic and he is most likely a guy for a 4-3 system. I think he is (just like Wisniewski) a text book fit for Gene Smith.
- Rahim Moore (FS, UCLA)
To give you a prospect in the area the Jaguars need help most badly, here is maybe best safety of the draft. Sadly the safety class is pretty terrible this year, so I think the Jags either get a new FS via free agency or get a new CB and move Rashean Mathis to this position. But if not, Moore (and a player I’ll write in the second part) could be the right candidate to step in. If Raheem is capable of replicating what he showed in 2009 when he led the entire BCS with 10 interceptions, he could be very special. However, his ’10 campaign was not that promising (only 1 pick), but despite that, he is still the top safety prospect. He started every game in college, has really great speed, and a consistent motor. He has great instincts in zone coverage and also plays well in run support. Man-to-man coverage and tackling (he is not missing tackles, but not a great hitter either) need to be improved.
Note: It is questionable that Moore (like Hankerson and Wisniewski) will still be there when the Jaguars pick in the second round.
3rd round prospects after the jump