I am intrigued with this draft. I don’t have a good feel for what we are going to do. It’s harder to project late in the first round.

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I am intrigued with this draft. I don’t have a good feel for what we are going to do. It’s harder to project late in the first round.

Couple insiders think the Jags are targeting Nolan Smith, Brian Branch or Torrence.

I have a feeling if Nolan slips to the late teens, Jags try to make a move.

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It seems like Big Cat Country is hyping Brian Branch.

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I am intrigued with this draft. I don’t have a good feel for what we are going to do. It’s harder to project late in the first round.

Couple insiders think the Jags are targeting Nolan Smith, Brian Branch or Torrence.

I have a feeling if Nolan slips to the late teens, Jags try to make a move.

How much do you think it'd take to move up though?

Not sure if I'd be willing to trade up in the 1st round of this draft. We really need to fill out this roster with those first 5 picks. Rounds 1-4.

If the team drafts Nolan it would buck Baalke's arm length trend that he looks for.

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It's been a while since I've posted, so I figured I've spared you guys from my thoughts for long enough.  So with about a week to go until draft day, here are some pre draft musings...

1.  I think the speculations regarding the Jaguars supposed interest in Budda Baker are interesting on a few levels.  While he's a little older than I'd like, he still seems to have about 2-3 good years left.  With the lack of offense characteristic of the rest of the teams in our division, he would seem to be able to thrive here, assuming we can scheme him to give a reasonable reproduction of Pakers era LeRoy Butler or Troy Polamalu. We've never had that element in our defense before.  The closest we came was 1999 with a past his prime Carnell Lake, who came from the Steelers' scheme.  But making such a move is not wihout the potential risks.  Will he need another contract?  If so, how much?  WHat would the Cardinals want in draft choice compensation for him?  Are we talking above or below a 3rd round pick?  That is my cutoff point for such a move.  Anything higher than a 3rd and I pass.

2.  If a Budda Baker deal does not come to pass, it would seem if we were hell bent on having such a player for our defense, a younger, equally alliterative version would be found in Alabama's rookie DB Brian Branch.  Cheaper?  Definitely.  But would he be as talented?  Do we have a coordinator creative enough to scheme him effectively?  On top of these concerns, I'm being troubled by the abundance of mock drafters on line who are projecting him to us-without a moments' thought.  Mock drafters not giving the Jaguars a moments thought js no big shock.  But rarely are so many on one accord when it comes to that player, rarer still is the player in accord with me.  It's to the point I'm tempted to revisisit my evaluation of the player.

3.  That said, even before this post, I was not married to the idea of Brian Branch for us at 24.  Besides the fact I think the team is more likely than in years' past to deal down, I think there are still likely to be a lot of viable options for us at 24 (assuming we stay) on either side of rhte ball.  On offense, There will likely be one of the TE prospects on the board.  Pederson had a lot of 2 TE sets in Philly.  Adding either Kincaid or Meyer or the kid from Georgia would restore the depth at the position for us, give us more personnel and formation versatility, and add another arrow in the quiver for TL and Pederson.  I would have to think if the right OL are remaining on the board, they could opt to replace Jawaan Taylor and maintain the three quality Ts on the roster, or even to upgrade Brian Bartch at G if Cyrus Torrence is still on the board at 24.

4.  I know it's still very early, but the Jaguars have to be the favorites to with the AFCS and the 49er have to be favorites to win the NFCW.  Buffahole could finish as low as 3rd in the AFC E, depending on what happens with the Jets and Aaron Rodgers.  I still think Tacks coach Mike Vrabel is an outstanding coach, but i am eager to see DeMeco Ryans for the Texans.  My gut tells me before long, this will be an excellent division in terms of coaching.

5.   I will go on the record now:  if the Georgia DT  is somehow still on the board whwn the Jaguaras are on the clock, I take the chance and pull the trigger and draft him.

First, welcome back! You da GOAT.

Second, I think trading down in this years draft will be exceptionally difficult because it's a fairly weak draft in terms of talent. The Bills said they have very few first round grades in this class. If it were busting with talent, I think a trade down would be really simple but I just don't see a player teams would be dying to trade up for at 24.

This is one of the deepest drafts in years.  One of the best ever for TE's.  Lots of quality CB's.  Ideal situation this year to trade down and get an extra mid-round pick or two.

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About 4 more days until the draft. Exciting

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No idea who would be a great steal for where we are, or who would be worth trading up to get. I just hope we fill our needs with a quality player/person.

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Dempsey is hyping up Tony Pauline on his show tomorrow at 1120 AM. Teasing what he's heard from within the scouting community and NFL circles. If you have access to 92.5 FM would encourage folks to tune in.

This is piggybacking off of the question of the day regarding the three players we think are on our draftboard for the 24th pick. Dempsey says some of the names we dropped are more than likely not what we're expecting.

Should be fun. Gives further credence to the notion that there's really not that big of a grade difference for most of these prospects once you get past the main 20 prospects so some names that people thought were day two, three options are going much higher.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

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"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

I still think that it’s easier to hit on a cb Than an edge rusher. I hope “we” make the right choice. Third down pass coverage is so important. Just go back and watch the jags defense trying to get off the field vs the lions last season or any team in the losing streak.

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I still think that it’s easier to hit on a cb Than an edge rusher. I hope “we” make the right choice. Third down pass coverage is so important. Just go back and watch the jags defense trying to get off the field vs the lions last season or any team in the losing streak.

It depends. A lot of these CB's are coming into the NFL where QB's are a lot faster decision making wise, they're operating within a system that specifically schemes players open and they're making much, much more faster, tighter and accurate throws that they're not used to seeing in the NFL. 

I wouldn't mind a Cam Smith at CB or Joey Porter Jr. at CB if he fell to us. I just have some serious reservations about taking a 4.5 safety to play nickel/slot CB as a rookie in Branch. I would have a hard time justifying his selection. If you go back and look at a lot of our games last year. We simply couldn't effect the pocket and QB. 

A CB is not going to fix that. An impact presence in the interior or exterior could though.

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"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

I do have some reservations about taking a player and converting them to any type of new position after Walker and Lloyd’s slow starts.

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Current gut feel on the impending draft:
Right now, my gut is that there are a group of players our brass thinks will be available in the 20-30 range and they've ID'd around 4 of this guys as good value at #24. I suspect all of the targets fit a need on on the roster.

I'm hoping that #24 pick provides a pass rusher or O-lineman, with DB able to play nickel (at least this year) a close third.
A big guy would be better value in an ideal world, but the right one may not fall. So a DB may be the pick with two good ones projected in that range.

I'd love to see multiple OL taken before the fifth. (A tackle to compete now and possibly take over a spot in 2024, + an interior guy to push Bartch and maybe backup Fortner should he not make the requisite year 2 progress he needs.) FTR - I do not think they will select two OL that early on.

With TE being deep, I'd wait for one to fall and would not spend a pick early.

I think taking a WR or RB before the 6th round would be foolish unless they are a low or sub 4.4 burner with return skills.
If Claybrooks get suspended - we need returner depth and a new gunner - Still wouldn't use an early pick. Maybe 185 or 202. Gotta be ST core potential.

If we come away with:
Rotational Pass Rush (inside or out, or both)
Nickel DB
OT depth/competition
LG/C depth/competition
TE - one more piece for the room with good potential to see the field year one
(late flyers on return specialist, blocking TE, guard, SS)

I'd be very pleased with a haul like that ^

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Current gut feel on the impending draft:
Right now, my gut is that there are a group of players our brass thinks will be available in the 20-30 range and they've ID'd around 4 of this guys as good value at #24.  I suspect all of the targets fit a need on on the roster.

I'm hoping that #24 pick provides a pass rusher or O-lineman, with DB able to play nickel (at least this year) a close third.
A big guy would be better value in an ideal world, but the right one may not fall.  So a DB may be the pick with two good ones projected in that range.

I'd love to see multiple OL taken before the fifth. (A tackle to compete now and possibly take over a spot in 2024, + an interior guy to push Bartch and maybe backup Fortner should he not make the requisite year 2 progress he needs.) FTR - I do not think they will select two OL that early on.

With TE being deep, I'd wait for one to fall and would not spend a pick early.

I think taking a WR or RB before the 6th round would be foolish unless they are a low or sub 4.4 burner with return skills.
If Claybrooks get suspended - we need returner depth and a new gunner -  Still wouldn't use an early pick. Maybe 185 or 202. Gotta be ST core potential.

If we come away with:
Rotational Pass Rush (inside or out, or both)
Nickel DB
OT depth/competition
LG/C depth/competition
TE - one more piece for the room with good potential to see the field year one
(late flyers on return specialist, blocking TE, guard, SS)

I'd be very pleased with a haul like that ^

Sure would but...
I imagine we're gonna "miss out" on one of the positions we fans view as needs because they feel good about the group or the draft just doesn't fall our way.
It happens every draft it seems where we'll have a freak out thread about the team not even trying to get better at x position lol

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Current gut feel on the impending draft:
Right now, my gut is that there are a group of players our brass thinks will be available in the 20-30 range and they've ID'd around 4 of this guys as good value at #24.  I suspect all of the targets fit a need on on the roster.

I'm hoping that #24 pick provides a pass rusher or O-lineman, with DB able to play nickel (at least this year) a close third.
A big guy would be better value in an ideal world, but the right one may not fall.  So a DB may be the pick with two good ones projected in that range.

I'd love to see multiple OL taken before the fifth. (A tackle to compete now and possibly take over a spot in 2024, + an interior guy to push Bartch and maybe backup Fortner should he not make the requisite year 2 progress he needs.) FTR - I do not think they will select two OL that early on.

With TE being deep, I'd wait for one to fall and would not spend a pick early.

I think taking a WR or RB before the 6th round would be foolish unless they are a low or sub 4.4 burner with return skills.
If Claybrooks get suspended - we need returner depth and a new gunner -  Still wouldn't use an early pick. Maybe 185 or 202. Gotta be ST core potential.

If we come away with:
Rotational Pass Rush (inside or out, or both)
Nickel DB
OT depth/competition
LG/C depth/competition
TE - one more piece for the room with good potential to see the field year one
(late flyers on return specialist, blocking TE, guard, SS)

I'd be very pleased with a haul like that ^

Sure would but...
I imagine we're gonna "miss out" on one of the positions we fans view as needs because they feel good about the group or the draft just doesn't fall our way.
It happens every draft it seems where we'll have a freak out thread about the team not even trying to get better at x position lol

This is so true! Sometimes the passionate fans inappropriately over-react to the team not addressing a position of need due to possibly missing a player they targeted who got selected by another team picking just ahead of the Jaguars. It would be wrong to then "reach" for that position when the value just isn't there. 

It is quite possible that we will miss out on either a very good pass rusher or offensive lineman since the value may not be there when they pick. Baalke or any other G.M. shouldn't ever be blamed for taking who they consider to be the BAP even when it seems the need is not so great. The 2021 drafting of Travis Etienne and Tyson Campbell is evidence of this. Many were very critical when there were much greater needs than running back (James Robinson was the team's best player the year before) and cornerback (already had Griffin and Henderson). Thankfully, the Jaguars made the selections which reflected their Draft Board  since both these players have a very good chance of being pro-bowlers as soon as next season.

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First, welcome back! You da GOAT.

Second, I think trading down in this years draft will be exceptionally difficult because it's a fairly weak draft in terms of talent. The Bills said they have very few first round grades in this class. If it were busting with talent, I think a trade down would be really simple but I just don't see a player teams would be dying to trade up for at 24.

This is one of the deepest drafts in years.  One of the best ever for TE's.  Lots of quality CB's.  Ideal situation this year to trade down and get an extra mid-round pick or two.

You’re reasoning is exactly why people won’t trade up lol

Why trade up when there’s plenty of equal talent available?

This draft is deep in 2nd/3rd round talent but weak in terms of top end talent.

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This is one of the deepest drafts in years.  One of the best ever for TE's.  Lots of quality CB's.  Ideal situation this year to trade down and get an extra mid-round pick or two.

You’re reasoning is exactly why people won’t trad up lol

Why trade up when there’s plenty of equal talent available?

This draft is deep in 2nd/3rd round talent but weak in terms of top end talent.

Yet you think we are the one team that trades up

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If there’s someone that you love, of course you get a trade up

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Sure would but...
I imagine we're gonna "miss out" on one of the positions we fans view as needs because they feel good about the group or the draft just doesn't fall our way.
It happens every draft it seems where we'll have a freak out thread about the team not even trying to get better at x position lol

This is so true! Sometimes the passionate fans inappropriately over-react to the team not addressing a position of need due to possibly missing a player they targeted who got selected by another team picking just ahead of the Jaguars. It would be wrong to then "reach" for that position when the value just isn't there. 

It is quite possible that we will miss out on either a very good pass rusher or offensive lineman since the value may not be there when they pick. Baalke or any other G.M. shouldn't ever be blamed for taking who they consider to be the BAP even when it seems the need is not so great. The 2021 drafting of Travis Etienne and Tyson Campbell is evidence of this. Many were very critical when there were much greater needs than running back (James Robinson was the team's best player the year before) and cornerback (already had Griffin and Henderson). Thankfully, the Jaguars made the selections which reflected their Draft Board  since both these players have a very good chance of being pro-bowlers as soon as next season.

One hundred percent chance that a portion of the fanbase has some sort of tantrum or at least displeasure over a decision or two. Happens every time. 
Heck - I even mentioned I don't think they are going to address OL the way I'd like them to in the post Kane quoted.
I won't lose my mind over it though.  

Personally - I've gotten much better at waiting until players get on the field for an extended period of time before I  feel like I'm justified to be "upset" about draft decisions. 

I expressed displeasure about the ETN pick but also said I was excited to see what he can bring to the table. 
If he gets better at ball security and shows a touch more consistency, I'll be happy to say I was wrong to doubt the choice. 

A far cry from the guy who literally quit the message board last year after we took Walker over Hutchinson. 
LOL

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I remember vividly one game I attended. DD stopped LaDanian Tomlinson cold early in the game on a screen or bubble pass, and LT was not a factor afterward. On offense, Leftwich had a rare good performance; Chargers DE Marcelius Wiley later commented that what Leftwich did to the Chargers defense was "uncivilized." A roided out looking David Boston was the Chargers lone bright spot. He caught several passes.

I remember that game.  After that hit on Tomlinson, Tomlinson was not a factor for the rest of the game.

I tell you, for all of JDR's faults, he made dam sure the run defense was up to snuff.  It sure was in that game.

I was at that game also. It was JDR's first win and I believe Leftwich's first official start. Boston caught 14 for 181 yds and 2 tds. (Probably had Fernando Bryant on him). I can remember Boston flexing after catching a contested pass on the sideline and his bicep seemed as big as my head...

...I looked the boxscore up on pro-football-refence and that game was 20 years ago this October. Thanks for the Sunday trip fellas.

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Current gut feel on the impending draft:
Right now, my gut is that there are a group of players our brass thinks will be available in the 20-30 range and they've ID'd around 4 of this guys as good value at #24.  I suspect all of the targets fit a need on on the roster.

I'm hoping that #24 pick provides a pass rusher or O-lineman, with DB able to play nickel (at least this year) a close third.
A big guy would be better value in an ideal world, but the right one may not fall.  So a DB may be the pick with two good ones projected in that range.

I'd love to see multiple OL taken before the fifth. (A tackle to compete now and possibly take over a spot in 2024, + an interior guy to push Bartch and maybe backup Fortner should he not make the requisite year 2 progress he needs.) FTR - I do not think they will select two OL that early on.

With TE being deep, I'd wait for one to fall and would not spend a pick early.

I think taking a WR or RB before the 6th round would be foolish unless they are a low or sub 4.4 burner with return skills.
If Claybrooks get suspended - we need returner depth and a new gunner -  Still wouldn't use an early pick. Maybe 185 or 202. Gotta be ST core potential.

If we come away with:
Rotational Pass Rush (inside or out, or both)
Nickel DB
OT depth/competition
LG/C depth/competition
TE - one more piece for the room with good potential to see the field year one
(late flyers on return specialist, blocking TE, guard, SS)

I'd be very pleased with a haul like that ^

D'Ernest Johnson has return experience.  I think he replaces Claybrooks in the backup role.

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