Jaguars NFL Draft 2019: Taking the best player

If the Jacksonville Jaguars Pre-Draft luncheon told us anything, it’s that the team still has plenty of needs and the organization is still playing with a poker face.

The biggest thing I took away from the Jacksonville Jaguars Pre-Draft Luncheon is that most of the heavy lifting is done and that the front office is still playing its cards close to the vest. Team general manager David Caldwell told the media in attendance on Monday the Jaguars plan to take the best player available when it makes its selection. Where that will be, however, could depend on teams behind them looking to make a deal.

As Caldwell, along with Tom Coughlin, the Jaguars executive vice-president of football operations, and head coach Doug Marrone explained, no stone is being left unturned. There are particular needs the team has addressed in free agency and needs still to be met starting Thursday night.

And when it comes to rumors or information being floated around the league and through various sports, websites, Caldwell offered this advice.

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"“Believe nothing,” he said. “We just rely on information we have in this building from our staff, our personnel people and our coaches, and do what’s best for us.”"

The Jaguars are in a position land an impact player, no matter which side of the ball is addressed first. Caldwell, Coughlin and Marrone all spoke the gospel in separate interviews on Monday, but collaboratively addressed the need for this team to continue to get better for the upcoming season.

Jacksonville finished 5-11 and last in the AFC South. Once again, Jacksonville picks in the top 10, something signifies how much work is needed to improve from the previous year.

While it is widely believed the Jaguars will address either the offensive line or tight end first, there are other schools of thought where a pass rusher could fall to them at No. 7, which is part of a game plan Coughlin has used in the past in New York and with the Jaguars in his first stint with the team as head coach.

"“You always can use whatever help you can get up front,” he said. “My thinking is well known – that those two fronts are going to give you a chance to compete no matter what else happens. You can’t have enough.”"

Caldwell and Coughlin talked about how the team is prepared for different scenarios as the Draft unfolds. There are contingency plans in place for trades, should a team want to move up and potentially take a quarterback. He also said there has also been talk of “what if” situations should players on the team’s board come off before Jacksonville has a chance to make a selection.

"“Those are the scenarios that we work on,” Coughlin said. “We’ve discussed those. I’m sure we will again before Thursday. We’re trying to anticipate all situations.”"

The Jaguars have five picks in the first four rounds. The compensatory pick from the Los Angeles Rams (No. 98 overall) which was part of the deal that sent Dante Fowler to the NFC West team could be a trade piece should the team look to jump back into the second round if a player they want is sitting there at the right time to make a move.