Jacksonville Jaguars selecting another wide receiver in 2012 draft do-over?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had fairly miserable luck over the years with wide receivers, particularly when taking them near the top of the draft. In an attempt to replace potential hall of famer Jimmy Smith, the Jaguars whiffed on Reggie Williams and Matt Jones in back-to-back drafts in the mid 2000’s, and most recently they traded up to select Justin Blackmon in the 2012 draft.

With all the talk this offseason about Blackmon (including chatter about the CFL), it’s probably fair to give a final assessment on the once promising wideout from Oklahoma State – he is a massive bust.

Looking back, drafting Blackmon made all the sense in the world. He was the consensus top pass catcher coming out of college and the Jaguars needed a number 1 option in the passing game for then franchise quarterback Blaine Gabbert entering his first season under head coach Mike Mularkey. As depressing as all the names in that last sentence are, the acquisition of Blackmon seemed like a great idea at the time. In retrospect, the Jaguars clearly should have gone in a different direction.

In a last gasp to get some filler pieces in before the regular season, Lance Zierlein over at NFL.com did a 2012 draft do-over and gave the Jaguars a different wide reciever:

"5. Jacksonville JaguarsPick: Justin BlackmonDo-over: Alshon JefferyComment: The Jaguars were hoping to find a big target for QB Blaine Gabbert and Jeffery has proven to be reliable and effective. Furthermore, he’s proven that his conditioning and speed are not concerns at this level."

This is a fine pick, although given the Jaguars current issues at linebacker I might have opted for Bobby Wagner or Lavonte David. Still, Jeffery is one of the more promising young receivers in the league. He’d be a big target for now QB Blake Bortles in the redzone and a fine complement to guys like Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns.

Who would you have taken in this draft do-over?

Next: Two 1,000 yard receivers in 2015?

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