The Jaguars draft class of 2018 produced 2 starters and 3 future starters

The Jacksonville Jaguars 2018 season is in the record books. After a 5-11 season, this organization looks to move forward toward 2019. Now, it’s time to look at the draft class.

The Jacksonville Jaguars disappointing season is over. There is much discussion in the national media, social media, local media, and fan base about the draft class. This discussion is often centered around David Caldwell and his draft history.

Caldwell, who replaced Gene Smith in 2013, has been more successful with picks outside the first round then the organization has found with their top choices the last six season.

Luke Joeckel (2013) is out of the league. Blake Bortles (2014) may be on his way out of town. Dante Fowler, Jr (2015) was injured his rookie season and was traded this past year. Jalen Ramsey (2016) is the best pick of the bunch. He could be the best defensive back in the NFL.

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The jury is still out on Leonard Fournette (2017), who still has a chance to be one of the best running backs in the NFL over time.

Let’s take a look at his most recent draft class in 2018.

1. Taven Bryan. Defensive Line, Florida – Taven Bryan was projected as a first-round choice. Positives include fast, athletic, and strong. Negatives are that he lacks experience and may need several years to develop.

Bryan had 20 tackles and 1 sack in 2018. He may be good down the road but was a questionable choice for a team with many roster needs, but that does not include the defensive line. Grade C+

2. DJ Chark, Wide Receiver, LSU – DJ Chark was projected as a second to third round draft choice. He’s fast and athletic and a potential long ball receiver. Negatives are route running and hands(drops),

Chark played in 11 games and had 14 receptions for 174 yards. DJ was a good choice for a team with wide receiver needs but is not an immediate impact contributor. Grade C+

3. Ronnie Harrison, Safety, Alabama – Ronnie Harrison was projected to be a late first or early second round pick. He is good at run defense, strong, and physical.

Weakness is pass coverage. Also, he played at Alabama and had excellent college coaching. Harrison had 32 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. In addition, he was a starter for part of the season. Grade A

4. Will Richardson, Offensive tackle North Carolina State – Will Richardson fell to the fourth round because of off-field issues. He is projected to be a guard rather than a tackle in the NFL. He injured his knee before the season and never played a game in the regular season.

The offensive line is a definite roster need for the Jaguars. Grade I (incomplete)

6. Tanner Lee, Quarterback, Nebraska – Tanner Lee played in one preseason game and didn’t impress. He remained on the practice squad and there was no further information about him.

Quarterback is an area of need but Lee was not a good choice for the 2018 season. Grade D

7. Leon Jacobs, Linebacker, Wisconsin – Leon Jacobs has speed strength and power. A raw talent, he needs time to develop. Jacobs was an immediate starter and played in 12 games. He had 21 tackles. He was placed on IR in December.

Linebacker was a position of need for the Jaguars. Grade A

7. Logan Cooke, Punter, Mississippi State – Logan Cooke was an immediate starter as the punter for the Jaguars. Any 7th-round starter deserves a good grade. Grade A

Commentary – The 2018 draft produced two immediate starters and three solid backups who played many snaps and will compete for starting jobs in the future. Richardson is an unknown quantity who could be a starter at offensive guard in 2019.

The success of this group surprised me and 2018 will be considered a good draft if the players continue to develop. There was, however, no immediate impact player and our first round choice was a long-term project and didn’t address an immediate need. Grade B-

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It’s time to look at the Jaguars 2018 draft class

By Kathy Clark | Jan 7, 2019

The Jacksonville Jaguars 2018 season is in the record books. After a 5-11 season, this organization looks to move forward toward 2019. Now, it’s time to look at the draft class.