2015 NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars Universally Receive High Grades
By Daniel Lago
The Jacksonville Jaguars just finished their third draft under general manager David Caldwell, and by all accounts the franchise had a monumentally successful weekend. The Jaguars managed to snag the most talented edge rusher in the draft in Dante Fowler Jr., and the team also added outstanding values in the later rounds.
The Jaguars ended up with 8 new players after the draft thanks to a somewhat silly trade on the part of the New York Jets, and none of the selections are really head scratchers. As a result, the Jaguars have universally received passing marks. Here’s a collection of quicksnap grades around the web:
"Overview: Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell crushed this draft, securing as many as four impact Opening Day starters (Fowler, Yeldon, Cann, Sample) before tabbing sure-handed slot receiver Greene in round five. Bennett may have been the best value pick of the entire draft. I saw him as a second-round possibility entering Friday. Even late rounders Sterling — a potential mismatch creator — and Koyack — a player I believe could be a quality No. 2 tight end — upgraded the back end of Jacksonville’s roster. The Jaguars filled major needs at Leo outside rusher, feature back, and safety, while continuing to inject both lines with talent. This was my favorite 2015 class. On a weekly basis, this year’s Jags are going to be a tough out with a nasty defense, playmakers in the passing game, and a formidable rushing attack.Grade: A+"
"Best Pick: I think third-round guard/center A.J. Cann has a chance to develop into a Pro Bowl player. He is tough and strong and powerful.Questionable move: Fourth-round safety James Sample is a box safety and they have that in Jonathan Cyprien. Why not a free safety?Third-day gem: Fifth-round receiver Rashad Greene will step in and help as the punt returner and slot receiver. He was a productive college player.Analysis: General manager Dave Caldwell did a nice job for the second consecutive year. His draft board is loaded with talent. This team is moving in the right direction and this draft will go a long way in helping that happen. First-round pick Dante Fowler is a beast.Grade: A"
"Jacksonville Jaguars: A Grade Goals Entering the 2015 NFL Draft: Blake Bortles was the pick last year. The Jaguars now have to make sure he has all the tools he needs to develop. They have to obtain more upgrades on the offensive line as well as a better running back. Bolstering the defense (LEO, secondary) has to be done as well.2015 NFL Draft Accomplishments: I’ve often criticized David Caldwell in the past, but he deserves credit for what looks like an outstanding draft class. He addressed numerous needs with top available players, and as a consequence, the Jaguars will almost certainly be way more competitive this upcoming season.A few key selections were used on defense. Dante Fowler was taken No. 3 overall, and it was the right choice. Many thought the Jaguars would take Leonard Williams, the perceived top player in the draft, but as I’ve been writing for months, teams believed Williams to be overrated as far as the media was concerned. Fowler was Jacksonville’s top prospect, and he’ll bolster the pass rush out of Gus Bradley’s key LEO position. Later on, James Sample was a bargain in the fourth, and he’ll have a chance to secure a starting job early in his career. Michael Bennett was also a nice choice to upgrade the defensive front. Bennett, a third-round prospect, slipped to the sixth frame.The Jaguars did well to upgrade Bortles’ supporting cast. T.J. Yeldon is going to actually make defenses worry about the run, unlike the plodding Toby Gerhart. A.J. Cann was one of the better guards in the class, and he’ll add to the protection that Caldwell acquired this offseason. Rashad Greene, meanwhile, was a steal atop Round 5; he could’ve easily gone on Day 2."
"Best pick: Cann – To get a high-end starting guard in the third round was one of the bigger steals of the entire draft.Questionable pick: Other than maybe a second running back, there wasn’t one.The Jaguars added a lot of starting talent in the draft. No team in the league had a better draft than Jacksonville. Their draft is loaded with starting players and they got incredible value late. Fowler is the Leo Jacksonville needs, Yeldon can be the lead running back and Cann will open holes for him. That’s just the first three picks. Sample is at worst a high-end backup safety, Greene is a dependable pass catcher and Bennett was a steal in the sixth round. If the Jaguars become a perennial playoff team, GM Dave Caldwell’s last two drafts will be the reason why.Overall grade: A+"
"Jacksonville Jaguars: AThe Jaguars are coming. Maybe not in 2015, maybe not in 2016, but soon. This draft without question kept this franchise’s positive momentum, from a talent standpoint, rolling in the right direction. Jacksonville made one solid decision after another, right through Notre Dame tight end Ben Koyack in round 7.Opinions varied on this class’s top pass rusher, but Dante Fowler was at or near the top of the list, and Gus Bradley can turn him into a star. Running back T.J. Yeldon and guard A.J. Cann should be starters by Week 1, as well. But the real gems here came in rounds 5 and 6, respectively: Florida State wide receiver Rashad Greene, a sharp route-runner and productive performer; and penetrating three-tech tackle Michael Bennett, a remarkable value at pick No. 180.—CB"
Next: B&T Grades Every Pick Here
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