Hungary for the Truth: UDFA Wishlist for the Jaguars

"Editor’s Note: This article was published yesterday evening, but we have moved it back up to the top because of the numerous UDFA reports Jason and I were putting up. Signings happen today!"

About a week ago, Jason Love put together his list of the potential college free agents the Jaguars might/should sign, so now its my turn. My list is almost completely different then Jason’s candidates, but you will see one or two players that we’d both like to see in teal. I also ignored some positions (RB, for example) where the Jaguars are set and tried to concentrate on the key positions where help is needed. Let’s get to the names…

Offensive Players

•  QB: Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin

I think our GM will sign a signal caller for the practice squad, who has to potential to develop. Although this player will most likely be a Division II (or maybe D-III) quarterback, I think a player like Tolzien could fulfill that role as well. He has a high football IQ, plenty of experience at the highest levels of college football (battled Andy Dalton and TCU in the 2011 Rose Bowl), and is a very accurate passer in the short and middle ranges. His height and arm stength could end up being a shortcoming for Scott, relegating him to a game manager-type of QB.

•  WR: Terrance Toliver, LSU

Now this is somebody the Jaguars could (and maybe should) give a shot, in my opinion. Tolliver was LSU’s best wideout in 2010. He has all the tools to become a deep threat – speed, height, and good hands and could give the Jaguars something they’ve been lacking for a while. Some say he is more of an athlete than a football player, but because of the scarcity of deep threats on the Jaguars roster behind Jason Hill, he is clearly somebody I would like to bring in the mix, because Underwood and Hughes have not proven to me that they are worthy to stay with the team, in my opinion.

• WR: Deandre Brown, Southern Miss

Brown is another very interesting prospect. He is 6′ 6″, so he would be that big target the Jaguars are currently lacking. He once looked like the second coming of Randy Moss, but he has battled many injuries and his production fell in ’09 and ’10, even with a pass-heavy offense at Southern Miss. However, some experts consider him a great sleeper among the UDFAs if he can stay healthy.

• WR: Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley State

Lockette is a former D-II champion sprinter in the 200 meter event, so what he offers is speed. Experts consider him more of a returner than a receiver and since I think Mike Thomas will no longer return kicks or punts in 2011, the front office can give a shot to Lockette simply because of that. Remember, they drafted Scotty McGee in the 6th round exclusively because of his return skills. Although he or Cecil Shorts could take over punt returns from Thomas, I think the Jaguars might want to add a little competition here.

• TE: Zach Pianalto, North Carolina

Pianalto is another player who became an undrafted free agent because of injury. He fractured his right fibula in the middle of October ’10. Until then, he was the favorite target of Tar Heels QB T. J. Yates.  Despite missing half of his senior season, Pianalto owns the North Carolina career record for receptions by a tight end. He had a surgery to repair his right fibula and that will effect his performance for this season, but if he gets healthy, he can challenge Zach Potter for the 3rd TE position.

• C: Tim Barnes, Missouri

The Jaguars have a couple of young players behind Brad Meester, but I think they can add some more talent here. Will Rackley can play center, though I think he will be used exclusively in the guard position. Other than him, it’s just two young and very unproven players on the roster – Bradley Vierling, who spent all of last season on the Jaguars practice squad, and John Estes from Hawaii, who was more than promising in last summer’s training camp, according to Jeff Lageman. Unfortunately,he was injured and spent all the regular season on IR. Center is undoubtedly another roster spot the Jaguars could upgrade with a UDFA rookie and there are plenty of talented undrafted centers available this year. What could be tempting about Barnes is his rapport with the Jaguars 1st round pick, Blaine Gabbert, who he played with at Missouri. He is tough, physical and intelligent. – sounds like someone Gene Smith might give a shot.

• OT: David Mims, Virgina Union

Here is the first player who made both Jason’s and my list. I tabbed him as a possible Jaguars candidate in my Day 3 draft preview back in April and still think he would be an upgrade as a backup at the offensive tackle position. Other then Guy Whimper, the Jaguars have very young and inexperienced players (Kevin Haslem, Daniel Baldridge) to back up Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton (who is coming back from a serious shoulder injury). The Jaguars know Mims well, they contacted him several times before the draft. His size (6′ 8″, 334 pounds) are more then great. he is someone I would try as hard as possible to sign in college free agency!

We’ll explore some defensive players after the jump…