Jacksonville Jaguars get linebacker Reuben Foster in odd Pro Football Focus mock draft

By Daniel Lago | Apr 7, 2017

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) lines up for a play during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

We’ve seen plenty of selections made for the Jacksonville Jaguars in mock drafts, but Pro Football Focus went off the deep end by pairing them with linebacker Reuben Foster.

We’ve reached the point of mock draft saturation, a not unexpected phenomenon in mid-April. By now, we’ve usually seen most of the possible pairings near the top of the draft, a position the Jacksonville Jaguars have been in for far too long.

This year, the Jaguars have the 4th overall pick and we’ve seen a fairly consistent cycle of selections from analysts. Some think the Jaguars will go defensive line (Solomon Thomas, Jonathan Allen), running back (Leonard Fournette), or even quarterback (Deshaun Watson).

One thing we haven’t seen is linebacker, because that would make no sense. The Jaguars have one of the best 4-3 outside linebackers in the league in Telvin Smith, as well as a high-pedigree guy about to take over middle linebacker (Myles Jack). Paul Poslusznly is slotted to take over strongside linebacker, so they are set there in the short term at least.

Pro Football threw logic aside in their recent three round mock.

"4. Jacksonville JaguarsReuben Foster, LB, AlabamaFoster had his own issues at the combine, being sent home early, but from a pure football standpoint, he’s a three-down linebacker capable of affecting the game in multiple ways. He posted the nation’s top overall grade at 93.3 while leading the way against the run at 93.4 to go with the No. 7 mark in coverage at 86.5."

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

The Jaguars aren’t even mentioned in the rationale for the pick here… because there is no rationale. There’s no reason to discuss this much more because this is not going to happen.

PFF gets back on track in the second round, sending an edge rusher to the Jaguars.

"35. Jacksonville JaguarsTakkarist McKinley, Edge, UCLAThe Jaguars continue to add pieces to the defense as McKinley adds yet another pass-rush option. He posted an 89.1 pass-rush grade on the back of nine sacks, 11 QB hits, and 37 hurries on 339 rushes in 2016."

McKinley is a solid pick and the Jaguars need another pass rusher so this makes sense. The Jaguars also need to add bodies to the offensive line, something PFF does in the third round.

"68. Jacksonville JaguarsRoderick Johnson, OT, Florida StateThis is a good fit for Johnson, who has tools to work with but needs time to progress. He can make all the blocks in the run game, it’s just a matter of ironing out some issues in pass protection, where he gave up three sacks, four QB hits, and nine hurries in 2016."

I don’t know much about Johnson, but FSU offensive lineman have struggled as of late in the NFL, specifically Menelik Watson and Cameron Erving. Johnson might be different, and if he has potential then he is probably worth a look in the third round.

Still, it’s hard to take this mock seriously when the first pick is this nonsensical. If the first three picks go the way PFF says in the mock (Garrett, Lattimore, Allen), then the pick at 4 is going to be Thomas, Fournette, or Watson.

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars News