NFL Draft 2015: Jacksonville Jaguars Team Needs
By Zac Snyder
The 2015 season is crucial for the Jacksonville Jaguars as Gus Bradley enters his third year as the team’s head coach. The team was active in free agency, spending money to bring in unrestricted free agents Julius Thomas, Jared Odrick, Jermey Parnell and Davon House. For the Jags’ to be successful in the long run, however, it all comes down to drafting and developing talent.
For more on the Jaguars remaining needs and outlook on the 2015 NFL Draft, I got together with Black and Teal‘s Luke Sims. Below are my questions followed by his answers.
1. How have the team’s draft needs changed since free agency opened?
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"The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed a lot of needs early in the 2015 NFL Free Agency period. Dan Skuta is expected to come in and play the OTTO linebacker role, cornerback Davon House bolsters the secondary and will be competing for a starting spot, Sergio Brown provides some insurance and starting potential at safety, and Jermey Parnell locks down right tackle.That’s four holes filled in free agency right off the bat. Julius Thomas at tight end is an upgrade, Jared Odrick gives the Jags greater defensive line depth and a starter at defensive tackle early in the season while Sen’Derrick Marks rehabs, Bryan Walters is a kick returner for competition, and Bernard Pierce gives the Jags another option at running back. Even with those moves the Jags may still bring in young players who can move into some of those positions going forward.The Jags still have a serious need at free safety as Josh Evans has proven to be a liability and Brown’s upside is limited. Running back is still an offseason priority for the Jaguars as well. Pierce doesn’t appear to be an answer and relying on Denard Robinson making a leap is risky. Upgrading the tackle position’s depth is critical as well. Luke Joeckel hasn’t been what we expected him to be and his third year will really show us if he can tough it out at left tackle. Currently nobody on the roster really fills in well at the position.The big need that is still around is at pass rush/LEO/defensive end. The Jaguars generated plenty of pressure in 2014 (45 sacks, good for sixth in the league) but don’t have that dependable threat that opposing offenses have to constantly take into consideration. Super-efficient pass rusher Ryan Davis was re-signed this offseason and should see increased reps in the rotation as he proved to be excellent at generating pressure in his limited snaps. Defensive end Tyson Alualu (a former-GM Gene Smith first round pick) was also re-signed but needs to show progression and is nothing better than a rotation guy. The Jaguars are sitting pretty to snatch up a top-flight pass rusher at third overall, with plenty of talents in the 2015 NFL Draft you can expect them to fill that need then."
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2. What would you say are the top three needs remaining?
"1) Pass rusher2) Free safety3) Left tackle (depth)"
3. Are there any prospects that have caught your eye so far?
"Obviously there is a host of pass rushing options for the Jaguars. Whether Dante Fowler Jr., Randy Gregory, or Vic Beasley, the Jaguars should be in good shape. Ideally, GM Dave Caldwell would like to move back and pick up one of the guys later, but if they fall in love with one of that tight group of players then he will likely be the pick. If defensive tackle Leonard Williams is available at three overall, that could throw a (pleasantly) surprising wrench into the Jaguars’ draft plans.Another candidate the Jaguars should like is running back Jay Ajayi. If he last into the second round (the Jaguars have pick four of that round) then he seems like a great fit for the Jaguars at running back. While not as big of a need as free safety, the running back class in 2015 is incredibly talented and the Jaguars want to add more weapons on offense around quarterback Blake Bortles."
4. What do you think would make for a successful draft for your team?
"Ideally, filling a lot of needs while picking up a few extra picks. The Jaguars are still very much in rebuild mode and there are way too many holes on offense and defense. More picks would help the team address them as they come. This draft seems well suited for the Jaguars adding players who merge best available and need, providing numerous options for the team with a deep class of pass rushers and running backs. The worry is picking up a quality free safety and a quality young tackle. I would love to see the Jaguars take a chance in rounds three and four for those two positions, but if they’re in a position to get one of the best available (in a trade back situation) then it may be tough to let them slip by since other positions are deeper.With their current picks, it’d be great to see the first three rounds go like this:1) Pass rusher2) Running back3) Free safety/left tackleWhatever gets the Jaguars players that can be brought in and contribute effectively is the key. We’ll have to judge the success during the 2015 season."
5. So much draft focus often goes to the first few rounds, but is there something you’d like to see your team do in the later rounds?
"It would be especially nice to see the Jaguars take a shot on a player who has fallen in the later rounds. Last year the nabbed cornerback Aaron Colvin in round four, seeing him as having higher value than his spot in the draft. He tore his ACL during practice for the Senior Bowl before the 2014 NFL Draft. The Jags have done a good job of picking up players who are falling (Marqise Lee in the second round last year as well) and bringing them in and giving them a chance to contribute. Too often injured players see themselves slide far too long, so seeing talent in the later rounds despite injuries and taking a chance would be a low risk high reward situation for the Jaguars."
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Next: Post-Free Agency Frenzy 2015 NFL Mock Draft