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Jacksonville Jaguars: March Actions May Indicate Draft Direction

By Larry Brake

Nov 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan (right) and general manager David Caldwell before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan (right) and general manager David Caldwell before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The new NFL year begins March 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm EST.  Shortly after, Jacksonville Jaguars fans may have an idea which direction the team will take in the 2017 NFL Draft.

By March 9th, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have decided which free agents to pursue. Some teams have already exercised their right to release certain players. The Jaguars will have released players by then or choose not to re-sign.

Spotrac lists quarterback Kirk Cousins as the top free agent for the 2017 season. Due to the undying support for Blake Bortles, Cousins will not be considered by the Jaguars. There are likely not any free agent quarterbacks that would be an upgrade to Bortles.

RELATED: 5 FREE AGENT QUARTERBACKS TO CONSIDER

Jacksonville should look to sign a running back to replace Chris Ivory as the starter. Whether it is a salary cap casualty or a free agent, the Jaguars need a find someone for a power running game. However, they may choose to draft a running back at the number four overall pick.

Maybe Jacksonville will build the offensive line through free agency. Since the Jaguars will likely run a hybrid Air Coryell offense, Jacksonville may sign free agents to build their version of the Hogs. The offensive line is a main cog in the Air Coryell offense:

"Given that the QB is targeting downfield receivers and the running game uses a power scheme against a numbers advantage, it’s important that the offensive line is among the best in the league. The WCO can operate with smaller players and mask their deficiencies with movement and speed. The Coryell offense cannot and requires significant investment in the OL in order to produce consistent results."

Three March Free Agent Signings That Might Indicate Jacksonville’s Draft Strategy

First, the Jaguars need to find a permanent left guard. Kevin Zeitler must be a target to upgrade the offensive line. Jacksonville could move A.J. McCann to left guard and play Zeitler on the right side.

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Second, T.J. Lang is a versatile lineman which could play either left or right guard. Lang, an eight year NFL veteran, is 6’4 and 318 lbs. He fits as a power run blocker as wells a pass blocker.

Third, if Jacksonville decides to sign a left tackle, Riley Reiff might be the guy. Since 2012, he has been protecting Matthew Stafford’s blind side. He would bring in pressure on current tackle Kelvin Beachum, whose option the Jags must decide to pick up or not.

Should the Jaguars elect to invest in free agent linemen, that would indicate which direction the draft will go.

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