Its obvious the front office wants to build the defense first so before free agency i was expecting Clowney, Barr, or Mack with the third pick. But now with the additions of Clemons and Babin in free agency do we really get another leo with our first pick?
yes. and Mack would not be just a LEO.
Yes they should still take clowney or mack if they have them high on their evaluation. The signings of veterans will take care of the current clowney/mack will take care of the future. We need to bring talent to the defensive line constantly as we have Luck in our division.
Bortles then/or Bridgewater.
Yes. And anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't understand what free agency and the draft are for. By shoring up the DL in free agency we've protected ourselves against needing to commit to it in an early round of the draft. By resigning a QB that the team are willing to start in the regular season, we've protected ourselves against needing to commit to QB in an early round of the draft.
Once you've done that, you're free to take the best players available to you when it comes to the draft. Clowney or Mack would be upgrades to this team, no matter how many Babins we sign.
I think our free agent moves have made it hard to pin point who they will take. It should be one of Clowney, Mack, Barr, Watkins or a QB.
The additions of Red, Clemons and Babin shouldn't hold the team going for Clowney. The kid has a bright future, whereas Babin and Clemons are both north of thirty. So getting Watkins allows the team to develop him into their replacement. Or he can slot in at the other side and rotate with Red and Tyson (who could be moved back to DT, or let go when his deal runs out).
Mack and Barr can go in at outside linebacker. So no harm in picking up one of the best prospects in that position. Our LBs have improved, but either of them could be an upgrade on what we have short and long term.
So no I don't think the moves in FA will prohibit them for going after Clowney, Mack or Barr.
I think it tilts us more towards Mack than Clowney, because Mack is not a DE, he's a LB. We are stocked with DEs.
The Jaguars still need to upgrade the weakside LB position. Allen has been playing the position for years or so it seems. And every year the team needs to upgrade that position according to the analysts and the next year Allen is still starting. Mack is not only a pass rusher, but a legitimate LB.
So the Mack/Barr pick is still in play in terms of need. Clowney not so much. There is a risk associated with him that is high considering the players that we already have.
What our DL additions have in addition to pass rush ability is run stopping ability. This should make the Jaguars defense much better. Plus Miller should be back to full strength and not playing hurt all year.
In terms of the relative need of pass rusher versus pass catcher, the need for the pass rusher declined, thus elevating the odds that Watkins will be selected compared to the pass rusher.
But did the FA additions change the big board for the Jaguars? Maybe lower in the draft when the team is selecting backups, but probably not in the first three rounds.
Mack isn't a LEO, although he could play that spot, and probably play it well. He's a compete LB with excellent coverage, run stopping, and pass rushing skills. I hope (assuming no franchise QBs) we take him at three.
alot of our free agent moves have been band aids not fixes
clemons and babin are band aids for a couple of year that gives us time to find a replacement but it doesn't mean our pass rush is sorted
same with henne, he can if really really necessary start but he is not in anyway a long term solution
ultimately if caldwell believes clowney is his guy he should pick him and cut babin
clowney clemons branch and davis is a leo unit I would be delighted to go into the season with
however a gut feeling or maybe a dream from our moves this free agency tells me caldwell isn't sold on clowney
i dont feel mack is an everydown leo so i think picking him is a great call. He would give a lb core of hayes poz mack with allen reynolds and watson as back ups/ rotation options
that's a very good linebacker core and once again one I would be delighted to go into the season with
qb, clowney, mack or a trade down I will be happy with
i could even take watkins though i think with the depth at the position in the draft it would be a bit of waste
No doubt they could still go Clowney or Mack at 3, and they'd both fit into the defense. Can't have enough impact players like that.
I still don't really understand all of this love for Mack. The talent is there that's for sure. His Ohio St game was dominant... but I've watched his other games also against teams like stony brook and Baylor and they just weren't good tapes. He did absolutely nothing against Baylor.
I hope if we take him he turns into our own Von Miller, but I just didn't see the consistent dominance in each game.
Consider Tony Brackens remains the best pass rusher this team has ever had. No think about how long ago he was on the team. How many times have we bemoaned the team passing on talent for need?
If anything all these pickups make it easier to not pressure the learning curve for anyone we pick up. I hate the Henne resigning but the reality of it makes sense.
It's 3rd and 15 and the Jags line up Clowney x Clemons x Marks x Bryant against Indy's shoddy online.
Yes please.
Quote:I think it tilts us more towards Mack than Clowney, because Mack is not a DE, he's a LB. We are stocked with DEs.
But none with Clowney's potential.
I believe if we get Mack he will be used much like we will use Watson as a pass rushing LB with times in at Leo for situational possessions.
I don't know why anyone would pass on Clowney because of signing two past-their-prime DEs. Don't get me wrong, I like the signings, but if we get lucky enough to get Clowney, then one of those guys probably get released unless Branch gets traded somehow.
If he is there at three, you don't pass on a talent like Clowney.