Jacksonville Jaguars 2013 Draft Needs – Day 3

Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Cornelius Washington speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Day three of the 2013 NFL Draft covers rounds four through seven and could still yield some starting players.  Last year’s sixth round selection, cornerback Mike Harris, proved himself more capable than most of the other players on the roster at his position and started six games last season.  With so many holes left on the roster, it makes sense that a fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh rounder could still start for the Jaguars. Let’s take a look at the voids and upgrades still needed heading into day three.

Voids

• Outside Linebacker – I haven’t been seeing this listed as major hole for the Jaguars by many sites, but it is.  Last season the Jaguars were playing Paul Posluszny, Russell Allen, and Kyle Bosworth/Julian Stanford as the starting linebackers.  Only the first two are competent.  A round four linebacker could easily replace Stanford and Bosworth and, if the Jaguars get a fast one, could fill the Leo position as well.  I really like workout warrior Cornelius Washington here as a rush linebacker and I think he’s versatile enough to cover and play on non-pass rushing downs as well.

Upgrades

• Guard – The guard position still hasn’t been addressed which means the Jaguars are either just looking to bring in competition or the team is willing to see what they have at the position and go with it.  Personally, I’d like to see a draft pick address the position and not have to rely on the bevy of mediocre players that are at left guard left over from the Gene Smith era.  Alabama’s Barrett Jones still hasn’t been selected and I would love to see him selected.
• Defensive End – Shockingly, the Jaguars have not touched a defensive end/pass rusher yet.  I think this need could be addressed with Washington at outside linebacker/defensive end, but really it comes down to whether Gus Bradley and Dave Caldwell think they want a rotational pass rusher or an upgrade at another position.  Alex Okafor is still around and would be a big snag for the Jaguars.
• Quarterback – The Jaguars seem gun shy about selecting a quarterback but with only three of them off the board after three rounds it may be time for the Jags to start the run on the position.  Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne are question marks and nobody has been added to the competition yet.  I like Arizona’s Matt Scott in round five if he lasts that long.

Needs Met

• Right Tackle – Luke Joeckel, Round 1, Pick 2
• Strong Safety – Jonathan Cyprien, Round 2, Pick 33
• Cornerback – Dwayne Gratz, Round 3, Pick 64

– Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims