Rob Foldy – USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars
TEAM NEEDS: QB, OL, DL, CB, S
Dave Caldwell and Gus Bradley are going to pace this rebuild for the Jaguars. They were relatively quiet in free agency as they made several depth signings but no major splashes.
Heading into the draft, the Jags were holding the second pick and made it clear they were going to take the best player at that spot. Many, including myself, had them pegged for an impact pass rusher but as the days drew nearer it became evident they were going to add to the offensive line.
Dave Caldwell comes from the Thomas Dimitroff school of thinking where you find your quarterback or spend your days consumed by finding your quarterback. After the draft it has become clear that the Jaguars will give Blaine Gabbert another season to prove himself a capable NFL starter. With the lack of a top shelf quarterback at No. 2, they didn’t have much of a choice.
They had eight picks (after a trade with Philadelphia) to add talent to a roster that is fairly void it. The draft was heavily influenced by Gus Bradley’s time with Pete Carroll as they addressed the secondary early and often with big defenders. Hats off the Dave Caldwell for a nice draft in year one. After the break check our pick by pick analysis.
Round One, (2) – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
The offensive line didn’t help out Blaine Gabbert in 2012, especially on the right side. One could argue the value of taking a right tackle at this spot but Joeckel offers insurance for Eugene Monroe and significantly upgrades the Jaguars ability to protect Gabbert and pave the way for MJD. Anytime you can get the draft’s overall best player, you are doing well for yourself and that’s exactly what Caldwell was able to do.
Round Two, (33) – Jonathan Cyprien, SS, FIU
The Jaguars had all night to think about this pick and came up with a player that fit a major need and was arguably (again) the best player available. Cyprien is a player that can give a secondary an identity as he’s an enforcer in the box and the middle of the field.
Round Three, (64) – Dwayne Gratz, CB, Connecticut
Dwayne Gratz will be called on immediately to play opposite of Alan Ball. Gratz is a plus sized corner that was better on tape than more hyped teammate Blidi Wreh-Wilson last season. He fits Bradley’s mold at the position with the size to cover the big receivers in today’s NFL.
Round Four, (101) – Ace Sanders, WR, South Carolina
Caldwell struck a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that allowed the Eagles to move up and take Matt Barkley. The Jaguars would move down a couple of spots, eyeing the dynamic WR/KR from South Carolina. Over the last couple of seasons, Sanders emerged as the top big play threat in the SEC. A subpar 40 time in Indianapolis had his draft stock heading south but Jacksonville overlooked that and saw what he did in college. Sanders gives the Jags a dynamic kick returner and speed in the slot from day one. A great pickup for Caldwell and Bradley in the fourth round.
Round Five, (135) – Denard Robinson, RB, Michigan
This was a steal for the Jaguars. Robinson is a man without a position but he’s as talented as any player on the board and I thought had a shot to go at the end of day two. Robinson will line up all over the field for a creative offensive team and should be a special teams ace.
Round Six, (169) – Josh Evans, FS, Florida
I was left scratching my head on how and why Josh Evans was still on the board at the top of the sixth round. Evans will make this roster and will contribute on special teams and could compete for playing time in the near future.
Round Seven, (208) – Jeremy Harris, CB, New Mexico State
Jeremy Harris is another tall corner at 6-foot-2 that gives the Jaguars some much needed depth in the secondary.
Round Seven, (210) – Demetrius McCray, CB, Appalachian State
Demetrius McCray was one of our ‘sleepers’ in the draft. He’s over 6-foot-0 with a thin build but can find the football and has the athleticism to compete as a gunner from day one and add quality depth in the secondary.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: Matt Scott, QB, Arizona – Jordan Rodgers, QB, Vanderbilt – Lonnie Pryor, FB, Florida State – Willie Carter, FB, Tulsa – Cole McKenzie, WR, Southern Oregon – Jamal Miles, WR, Arizona State – Ryan Otten, TE, San Jose State – R.J. Dill, OT, Rutgers – Stephane Milhim, OG, Massachusetts – Roderick Tomlin, OG, Murray State – Abry Jones, DT, Georgia – Uriah Grant, DT, Ole Miss, T.J. Barnes, DT, Georgia Tech – Paul Hazel, DE, Western Michigan – Maalik Bomar, OLB, Cincinnati – Steven Terrell, DB, Texas A&M – Carson Tinker, LS, Alabama
Dave Caldwell hit a homerun in year one with this draft. Heck, I even liked his UDFA signings. He was able to score Matt Scott and Jordan Rodgers, who give the Jags a couple of developmental quarterbacks to stick on the practice squad for a season or two. Ryan Otten is a guy that can play and could make the roster as an UDFA.
There is no doubt that the Jaguars still remain one of the worst teams in the league, on paper. But Dave Caldwell and Gus Bradley are on the right track for a rebuild and should have the Jaguars competitive in the near future with draft’s like this one.
The 2013 season will be Blaine Gabbert’s final to prove he can be a capable starter in the league. The Jags addressed the offensive line woes and added another weapon to go with some young up and comers. If Gabbert doesn’t produce this season, the Jaguars will be drafting high in 2014 and could be in the mix for Teddy Bridgewater or another of a promising QB class.
