Grading the Jacksonville Jaguars late round draft picks

The NFL Draft is over and the grades are in for the Jaguars late round draft picks. Where did they score big, where did they miss out, and what are we looking forward to?

Good late round draft picks are important for a teams success. Finding quality players in these late rounds means successful scouting, surprising difference makers, and could boost a teams draft grade immensely. Hopefully, the Jacksonville Jaguars has found a couple steals in the draft.

These late-round draft picks who find success in the NFL are always great stories. Here’s a look at how I graded the final three picks the Jaguars made in the Draft.

5TH Round – PICK 140: RYQUELL ARMSTEAD, RB, TEMPLE

Analysis: The Jaguars decided to pick a running back to start off their day three selections. Ryquell Armstead fits the mold of a Jaguars running back, he is a big physical runner who sometimes flashes finesse but is mostly a bruising back.

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The Jaguars lacked depth at running back after both T.J. Yeldon and Carlos Hyde left via free agency. The Jags did sign Thomas Rawls, Benny Cunnigham, and Alfred Blue in the offseason but Jacksonville felt as though more depth was required because most of these players lacked the consistency of a number two back.

Ryquell could be a very valuable pick and should make a difference on this team if Leonard Fournette were to succumb to injury, He may also serve as a key reserve player when Fournette needs a breather. The only issue I have with this pick is that the Jaguars may have missed on some valuable players in positions of need, like safety Marvell Tell III but like most of the late round picks no one expects these players to be immediate starters. Grade: B-

6TH ROUND – PICK 178: GARDNER MINSHEW, QB, WASHINGTON STATE

Analysis: The Jaguars have Cody Kessler as the backup for now, but there is a chance Gardner Minshew steals that spot. Minshew was a very good college quarterback. He put up very good numbers and actually led the nation in passing for the 2018 season.

Minshew lacks NFL arm strength and arm talent, but he does a very good job reading defenses and going through progressions. He is very good in the short to intermediate throws but he may have trouble throwing downfield.

Just like the Armstead pick there were valuable players available in this round like wide receiver Kelvin Harmon, but a quality backup is important to have in the NFL and Minshew has potential and could possibly be molded as a starter once Nick Foles contract is finished. Grade: C+

7TH ROUND – PICK 235: DONTAVIUS RUSSELL, DT, AUBURN

Analysis: The Jaguars defense has been very good over the past couple of years, but they struggle in one key area and that is stopping the run. Dontavius Russell is very good at stopping the run and filling his gaps. He isn’t going to provide much of a pass rush, but his ability to stuff the run is going to land him on the final roster.

Russell could work on his hands and pass rush moves and may not be a 3 down lineman, but on obvious run plays and during short yardage he is very valuable. Russell has good size at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds but needs to break his bad tendency of playing upright.

Next. Jaguars new-look running back room is full of promise. dark

Playing with more bend at the hips and knees will allow for more explosion and for Russell to better use his natural size and strength. He will need some coaching but for a 7th round pick in this years draft Russell has a lot of potential.

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