2015 Jaguars Draft Preview: Rounds 2 & 3
By Luke Sims
Sep 27, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Gerod Holliman (8) intercepts a pass intended for Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver E.J. Scott (17) during the second quarter at Papa John
5) What To Do With Free Safety
The first round saw one safety chosen and it wasn’t the best safety in the draft, Landon Collins. Instead, the Green Bay Packers took Damarious Randall off the board. A free safety, Randall was a bit of a surprise at that selection and it was interesting to see a free safety (which is an extremely weak class this year) taken in the first round at all.
The free safety position, while weak, does offer some intriguing candidates. Many of those candidates could be converted cornerbacks. Guys like Quinten Rollins, Eric Rowe, or Charles Gaines could all come in and provide possible depth at free safety or compete for the starting job. While it will be tempting to go after a “true” safety in the second round, there aren’t a lot of great players available. They are uninspiring choices to me. I would prefer to wait until round three, four, or five for a guy like Gerod Holliman (set a record 14 interceptions last season with Louisville).
Closing Thoughts
Right now there is a lot up in the air for the Jaguars. While the needs are pretty straightforward, finding a good combination of need and value in rounds two and three may be more difficult. The most needed position (free safety) isn’t very well stocked in the 2015 NFL Draft and other positions (like running back) are completely loaded. I imagine GM Dave Caldwell will lean more toward best player available in these two rounds. There’s a lot of close competition for best player available, though, so don’t be shocked when he throws the NFL another curve ball.
The Jags can’t really go wrong with their selections in rounds two and three because of all their needs. There are a couple of people slipping down the draft right now, so the Jags may just choose to go with them rather than risk filling a need with a reach.
What do you think will happen tonight?
Next: Could the Jaguars Pick Randy Gregory on Day 2?
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