Jaguars’ Cornerback Needs Solved

November 26, 2011; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles cornerback Xavier Rhodes (27) defends Florida Gators wide receiver Andre Debose (4) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Florida Gators 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In all the pre-draft talk that goes on it’s tough to overlook holes on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster.  Fortunately for us here at B&T, we’re not the only ones taking a hard look at a severely depleted talent pool.  The good guys over at Pro Football Focus also took a look and, in their AFC South Draft Needs article, took a stab at solving cornerback.  They had two suggestions:

1. Early Rounds:  Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
2. Mid/Late Rounds:  Sheldon Price, UCLA

While I can only think of When Harry Met Sally when hearing the name Sheldon, I think that the suggestion merits consideration, especially since I don’t think Rhodes will make it past the first round.  Rhodes would be a major pickup for the Jaguars if he slips to 33 overall, but the odds of that happening don’t appear to be high.

Here’s what PFF had to say about Price:

"Even if Rhodes is secured in the early rounds, the Jaguars could double dip at the cornerback position and Price fits the prototype at 6-foot-2 , 180 pounds. He’s a work in progress, but he has the size to play the press coverage that Bradley covets."

Currently I think that the entire defensive backfield is a work in progress for the Jaguars and they should be thankful to get anybody with a pulse in place by the start of the season.  Finding a guy who can outplay Alan Ball (which shouldn’t be hard) and has the physical tools Gus Bradley desires outside of rounds one and two may be difficult so Price makes sense.  My only problem with PFF’s suggestion, and it is a good one, is that the Jaguars can’t afford a “work in progress” when they are so incredibly thin at the position.

For now I’ll cross my fingers that Rhodes either lasts until round two or Price is much better than I think he is.

– Luke N. Sims