Jacksonville Jaguars: rookies contributing early
By Jacob DeFee
Each of the Jacksonville Jaguars first five draft picks made a big impact in their first preseason game of 2017.
It’s only preseason but the Jacksonville Jaguars certainly can’t complain about the production they’re getting from their draft picks and other rookies so far.
Leonard Fournette
The Jaguars first round pick of 2017 looked like everything he was hyped up to be in the offseason. He scored his first NFL touchdown, converted a crucial fourth down attempt, and ran with power on all of his carries. Fournette finished the night with nine carries for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Cam Robinson
The Jaguars second round pick got the start at left tackle. He appeared to pass block very well, but has some work to do in his run blocking. There were a couple of instances where Patriots defenders got their pad level lower and pushed him backwards. For the most part Robinson played well in his first NFL action.
Dawuane Smoot
Smoot was a key part of the second team defensive line, he applied some pressure to Jimmy Garoppolo early in the second half and finished with six total tackles on the night. Look for him to rotate in behind Yannick Ngakoue and Dante Fowler Jr. on passing downs in the regular season.
Dede Westbrook
Westbrook returned a punt for seven yards but had one of the big plays of the night when he made a 42-yard touchdown grab between two Patriots defenders. It looked like it may have been a collapse in the coverage for the Patriots, but none the less Westbrook made a big contribution in his first NFL action.
Blair Brown
Brown didn’t appear to stand out in anyway during the game. However, going back an looking at the stat sheet, he led the team in tackles with eight on the night. A good sign of things to come for the Jaguars 5th round selection out of the Univeristy of Ohio.
Keelan Cole
Cole is an undrafted rookie out of a Division II school Kentucky Wesleyan. However, he has made his presence felt in training camp, and in his first preseason game. He finished the night with two catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. His big play of the night came on a 97-yard touchdown grab from QB Chad Henne. Cole beat his man badly and ran right past him. It will be hard to keep him off the final roster if he keeps playing this well.