Will the Jaguars grab an offensive lineman with their first pick?
By David Levin
![JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars congratulates his teammates Calais Campbell #93 of the Jacksonville Jaguars and A.J. Cann #60 of the Jacksonville Jaguars following a first half touchdown against the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars congratulates his teammates Calais Campbell #93 of the Jacksonville Jaguars and A.J. Cann #60 of the Jacksonville Jaguars following a first half touchdown against the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fblackandteal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1034524954-850x560-0de0a348a0ae0ff3fd767dc8bf3602048eabf04ebfad92d1b23d5c84b13874f6.jpg)
Will the Jacksonville Jaguars do the unthinkable and select an offensive lineman with their first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft?
I for one do not think the problems on the offensive line for the Jacksonville Jaguars is an easy fix. Even before injuries hit this roster like a wrecking ball, you could see signs this might be a long season.
For a unit that helped Jacksonville lead the NFL in rushing in 2017 and only gave up 24 sacks, the previous season, 2018 was more about plugging a player into the lineup and praying they did enough to not spring yet another leak.
The offensive line was one of many disappointments for this franchise. Free agency and the NFL Draft will be crucial to building a more stable group for next season. The player under center in 2019 does not need to be running for his life because the pocket collapses on every snap.
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I am not the only one who thinks the Jaguars will flip the script and seek help up front before taking a quarterback in a class that is not as deep as the one from 2018. Given 2020 could be a huge year for signal callers, I am of the belief the Jaguars are better off grabbing a bridge quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater in free agency while waiting to see if the new offensive coordinator opens the playbook up and makes the team more balanced with a vertical passing game.
Per Dan Kadar of SB Nation, with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Greg Little, Tackle, Ole Miss.
"“The Jaguars could turn to a veteran quarterback this offseason if they miss out on Haskins. After that, Jacksonville could turn its attention to the offensive line,” Kadar writes.“The team will get Cam Robinson back from a torn ACL, but he could shift to the right side of the line. Little, one of the most athletically gifted tackle in the draft, could slot in on the left. If the Jaguars don’t have a high grade on him, a trade down to target a wide receiver is possible.”"
I envision Robinson as a better fit on the right side. Both A.J. Cann and Jermey Parnell more than likely do not fit in the team’s plans in 2019. This team should look at free agency to find an affordable veteran to bring in as well.
The first tackle off the board should be Joah Williams of Alabama, but with his talent, he could be a top-5 selection. If the front office decides to trade up from their seventh pick, it would likely be to grab Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who only has one year as a starter on his resume. Should he fall to seventh, which could happen if there is a run on defensive linemen, he could fall into the Jaguars lap.
Haskins has announced he has declared for the NFL Draft.
Next. Four Down Territory: How to fix the Jaguars. dark
The issue with drafting a quarterback and seven and having to develop him is the front office is already under fire and must show progress next season after a 5-11 record. I’m not sure this team’s brass wants to take that chance.