I try and allow a little time to pass to gather my thoughts regarding the draft. Sometimes the initial reaction is the wrong reaction. Well, that is definitely not the case for our draft class. It is exceptional.
The one thing I like about Caldwell's drafting is it makes sense. During the Gene Smith/Shack Harris years, there were far too many picks that left us scratching our heads. There was no long term plan. That has changed for the better.
The plan for this offseason was to rebuild the defense with talented and athletic players. Mission accomplished.
With that said, let's take a look to see who we got.
1. Jalen Ramsey CB FSU- Thank you Jerry Jones! This will probably be the easiest pick of Caldwell's career. Super athletic corner that will boost the secondary and give us a legit #1 guy. Grade: A+
2. Myles Jack LB UCLA- NO ONE could have imagined this scenario. Obviously there are concerns about his knee but even if he plays through his rookie contract at the elite level, this would be the steal of the draft. We added the top 2 defenders in this draft. That is unheard of. Him and Telvin will be our nickel LBs..talk about speed. Grade: A+.
3. Yannick Ngakoue DE Marlyand- After the top tier pass rushers, Ngakoue was the best from the next tier. This guy is a sack master and what I love is that he did it against top competition. I'm about to cringe when I type this but he is a "designated pass rusher" for now. 2nd/3rd and long expect this guy to be coming off the edge. Fowler, Marks, Jackson, Ngakoue as a lightening package sounds pretty good. Grade B+.
4. Sheldon Day DT Notre Dame- Great value pick. While not an edge rusher, he boosts the pass rush from the interior. He will factor into the rotation with Marks and Jackson. Grade: A.
6. Tyrone Holmes DE Montana- After doing some research on this guy, I like the pick. He has the size/speed and dominated his low level of competition. Is a bit of a project as he gets used to NFL caliber players but the potential is there. Grade: B+
6. Branden Allen QB Arkansas- Kind of an unexpected pick but after thinking about it, it makes sense. Henne is signed for the next 2 years. Allen can sit and develop and eventually become the backup QB. Best case is Allen balls out during his time in the preseason games and we flip him for a high draft pick. Grade: B.
7. Jonathan Woodard DE Central Arkansas- Another small school guy but some pre-draft reports had him as a potential late round steal. He will likely be a PS guy and fighting for a roster spot. Grade: B
Overall grade: A.
I'm more than excited to see Ramsey and Jack being day 1 starters with Ngakoue and Day factoring in situationally. This is a franchise changing draft.
We should also thank the Ravens for accepting only a fifth round pick to move down two spots. Good job by Dave Caldwell not wanting to give up our fourth round pick.
1. Jalen Ramsey CB B.A.P. We really have to thank the Dallas Cowboys for this one. Grade:A+
2. Myles Jack ILB B.A.P. No explanation here as he was a top5 pick. Grade A+
3. Yannick Ngakoue DE Here's where need was exercised over value. Grade B+
4.Sheldon Day DT Somewhat confused with this pick when we have Marks, Jackson, Bennett already. Billings to backup Miller would have been my pick but Day's a good player too! Grade B+
6. Tyrone Holmes DE This guy's versatility will earn him a roster spot Grade: B+
6. Brandon Allen QB I like the fact that we're at the point where we can start looking for Henne's replacement. Grade: A
7. Jonathan Woodward DE I have no clue who this guy is
Overall one of the better drafts in team history, IMO. I find it hard to cultivate a scenario where we don't win the AFC South.
I was surprised our only offensive draft pick was not a lineman. Nice job getting a quarterback in Round 6, but still not having a center is disappointing.
Quote:I was surprised our only offensive draft pick was not a lineman. Nice job getting a quarterback in Round 6, but still not having a center is disappointing.
The more I think about it the 5th rounder we used to trade up for Jack most likely would have been an olineman.
Quote:The more I think about it the 5th rounder we used to trade up for Jack most likely would have been an olineman.
Yeah that is what I was thinking too. Of course we made the right decision to trade it instead.
Quote:Dreamy..................
Better than a dream come true because nobody could have guessed who we would pick in the second round!
I like your avatar but can't wait to see Ramsey in a teal jersey.
4 of the top 5 selections were the guys I was pounding the table for at that pick so it has to be an A draft overall.
I like Sheldon Day plenty and definitely don't dislike the pick, but when he is only getting a dozen snaps a game for the next couple years I think we will wish we had taken Westerman. That is the only B pick of the draft, and even then only because of opportunity cost.
Quote:4 of the top 5 selections were the guys I was pounding the table for at that pick so it has to be an A draft overall.
I like Sheldon Day plenty and definitely don't dislike the pick, but when he is only getting a dozen snaps a game for the next couple years I think we will wish we had taken Westerman. That is the only B pick of the draft, and even then only because of opportunity cost.
Well he is a rotational guy, not competing for the starting job. That is not bad for the fourth round. However I was disappointed we did not pick a center or swing guard.
Brandon Allen was a wasted pick to me, but like everything else.
Quote:I try and allow a little time to pass to gather my thoughts regarding the draft. Sometimes the initial reaction is the wrong reaction. Well, that is definitely not the case for our draft class. It is exceptional.
The one thing I like about Caldwell's drafting is it makes sense. During the Gene Smith/Shack Harris years, there were far too many picks that left us scratching our heads. There was no long term plan. That has changed for the better.
The plan for this offseason was to rebuild the defense with talented and athletic players. Mission accomplished.
With that said, let's take a look to see who we got.
1. Jalen Ramsey CB FSU- Thank you Jerry Jones! This will probably be the easiest pick of Caldwell's career. Super athletic corner that will boost the secondary and give us a legit #1 guy. Grade: A+
2. Myles Jack LB UCLA- NO ONE could have imagined this scenario. Obviously there are concerns about his knee but even if he plays through his rookie contract at the elite level, this would be the steal of the draft. We added the top 2 defenders in this draft. That is unheard of. Him and Telvin will be our nickel LBs..talk about speed. Grade: A+.
3. Yannick Ngakoue DE Marlyand- After the top tier pass rushers, Ngakoue was the best from the next tier. This guy is a sack master and what I love is that he did it against top competition. I'm about to cringe when I type this but he is a "designated pass rusher" for now. 2nd/3rd and long expect this guy to be coming off the edge. Fowler, Marks, Jackson, Ngakoue as a lightening package sounds pretty good. Grade B+.
4. Sheldon Day DT Notre Dame- Great value pick. While not an edge rusher, he boosts the pass rush from the interior. He will factor into the rotation with Marks and Jackson. Grade: A.
6. Tyrone Holmes DE Montana- After doing some research on this guy, I like the pick. He has the size/speed and dominated his low level of competition. Is a bit of a project as he gets used to NFL caliber players but the potential is there. Grade: B+
6. Branden Allen QB Arkansas- Kind of an unexpected pick but after thinking about it, it makes sense. Henne is signed for the next 2 years. Allen can sit and develop and eventually become the backup QB. Best case is Allen balls out during his time in the preseason games and we flip him for a high draft pick. Grade: B.
7. Jonathan Woodard DE Central Arkansas- Another small school guy but some pre-draft reports had him as a potential late round steal. He will likely be a PS guy and fighting for a roster spot. Grade: B
Overall grade: A.
I'm more than excited to see Ramsey and Jack being day 1 starters with Ngakoue and Day factoring in situationally. This is a franchise changing draft.
#.1) You know what was weird was the reaction they had after picking Jalen Ramsey (they didn't seem all that excited), not as much as they were when they traded up for Myles Jack (of course they got him in the 2nd round). It does make you wonder if they had really wanted Joey Bosa or something... I dunno I love the pick though Jalen Ramsey is who I had always wanted the Jaguars to draft going way back to January of this year & the first round person the Jaguars ever picked that I had wanted since the start of the Draft ( i never thought they wouldve got Blake that early in the draft & never really even considered a QB that year, but he's the best QB we ever had IMO).
#2.) Yes his injury status is a concern (not for week 1, as he demonstrated that he is able to play but rather long term). On the plus side he was honest with the press and teams about the situation (maybe too honest). A few reporters including NFL.com had Myles Jack rated as the best player in the draft despite the potential injury status. Did many teams Red Flag him and that is why he fell, or did the fact that the Jaguars passed on him spook the rest of the teams, who knows? At least he's not on a team where the players get injured more than others, oh wait yes he is fingers crossed.. Now does he play SS or SOLB? They've said SOLB but it seems like SS would also be a good role for him on this defense.
#3.) The knock on him is that he's horrible against the run, okay no problem bring him in only on 3rd down & long passing situations. The guy can set the edge and is really good at both speed & power pushing defenders into the QB. The other knock is that he is a one trick pony, but they'll work on his technical skill set. He isn't expected to start on week 1, but rather rotate in when they feel he's ready at LEO.
#4.) Pro Football Focus was big on Sheldon Day along with a few others, I feel he'll play a 3 Tech DT in a line change that would resemble that of a hockey league where they try to keep the talent close to a starting role at all times with an obvious starting line though. It would be smart to put him in early against the run, and have the better DTs like Marks & Jackson in on 3rd down situations.
#5.) Holmes is expected to play a dual role like Skuta being both a LEO & SOLB backup depth chart to my understanding. That is if he makes the team's roster & not on the practice squad.
#6.) I like this pick, because most of us Jaguar fans aren't high on Chad Henne as being the backup. Not to mention the fact that Grandpa isn't getting any younger, and the coaching staff really liked Brandon at Senior Bowl game. He is reportedly highly intelligent, and who knows might take Chad's job sooner rather than later.
#7.) This guy like the Undrafted Free Agents will simply fight hard in PreSeason for a spot, maybe practice squad like most late picks including QB Brandon (no guarantee that he makes the roster).
Quote:Brandon Allen was a wasted pick to me, but like everything else.
I don't think so most 6th -7th round picks are guys that show potential, and you want to take a shot on them before other teams sign them in Free Agency.
Very low risk, if he shows them something maybe they keep 3 QBs or maybe they cut Chad (unlikely, but you never know). Worse case they put him on Practice Squad up to two years (in reserves should Blake or Chad get injured).. yikes
Quote:Brandon Allen was a wasted pick to me, but like everything else.
Not really. We can groom Allen behind Henne, who is in his 30s and was an offensive captain in 2014. When Henne's contract expires, Allen will be ready for the backup role.
Of course I would have preferred an offensive lineman in Round 6, but I can't complain about picking a QB to develop.
Quote:Not really. We can groom Allen behind Henne, who is in his 30s and was an offensive captain in 2014. When Henne's contract expires, Allen will be ready for the backup role.
Of course I would have preferred an offensive lineman in Round 6, but I can't complain about picking a QB to develop.
Or maybe if Allen is good enough, we can trade him for the 9th overall pick :thumbsup:
Quote:Brandon Allen was a wasted pick to me, but like everything else.
how? Have you ever seen Henne play? If Bortles gets hurt we are in trouble with Henne. Allen, maybe not so much. The more I think about it the more I like it
Quote:Brandon Allen was a wasted pick to me, but like everything else.
Caldwell mentioned, when he first got here, that he believes in picking a QB every year. I think it's a great idea, only because I saw what happened when we went without drafting a QB for nearly 10 years.
6th round picks shouldnt be regularly making this roster anymore. To think it's a wasted pick to draft a guy to develop behind Henne and Bortles for a year or two wouldnt make sense to me. Henne definitely isnt the guy long term, and we definitely dont want someone with no experience in our system backing up Bortles.
Edit: Its so nice to say ''Henne isnt the guy long term'' and have it obviously mean that hes not the long term BACKUP. Three years ago, that wasnt the case.
Quote:Caldwell mentioned, when he first got here, that he believes in picking a QB every year. I think it's a great idea, only because I saw what happened when we went without drafting a QB for nearly 10 years.
6th round picks shouldnt be regularly making this roster anymore. To think it's a wasted pick to draft a guy to develop behind Henne and Bortles for a year or two wouldnt make sense to me. Henne definitely isnt the guy long term, and we definitely dont want someone with no experience in our system backing up Bortles.
Edit: Its so nice to say ''Henne isnt the guy long term'' and have it obviously mean that hes not the long term BACKUP. Three years ago, that wasnt the case.
It's what the great franchises do. It's the most important position in football, so it makes sense to address it every year, even if you have a franchise qb. No guarantee your quarterback will stay healthy.
Quote:It's what the great franchises do. It's the most important position in football, so it makes sense to address it every year, even if you have a franchise qb. No guarantee your quarterback will stay healthy.
Agreed. And you never know when a desperate team will give up a higher pick for a promising QB that's sithing on the bench.