(03-17-2018, 04:19 PM)TheDuke007 Wrote: (03-15-2018, 01:26 AM)Bullseye Wrote: WR, QB, TE, G, and MLB are huge possibilities, IMO.
I would agree those are the top candidates. My thoughts on the positions:
QB - As free agency has gone on, I more and more think this is what the Jaguars are planning to do. They have made a very concerted effort to fill their major needs in free agency except quarterback. Coincidence? I don't think so.
G - I would probably go with QB in the first and RG in the second since guards tend to drop. I think right guard is one of the few positions where a 1st or even a 2nd rounder would be the favorite to start on this team. Even if hypothetically the draft pick needed a year to develop, it isn't 100% bad. He would provide quality depth in 2018 and Cann is a free agent in 2019. We would be filling the spot in advance. If I didn't like the available QB's in the first, I would go with a guard as my second choice.
MLB - I think we're definitely drafting one, but probably not in the first. With putting a third cornerback on the field during passing plays and Jack and Smith as the two linebackers, our MLB is a part time position. Barring injury, he only plays about a third of the defensive snaps. As such, it would be less valued. I definitely think we take one, but rounds 2, 3 or 4 are more likely.
TE - It's a possibility, but I don't think they would have signed ASJ for $5 million per year if they were planning on going tight end in the 1st. I also see a complete lack of agreement by mock drafters on the best tight end in the draft. This suggests to me that there multiple tight ends in the draft who are fairly equal. As such, even if we want a tight end, it might make more sense to wait until second round and see who's still there.
WR - Prior to free agency and after no franchise tag on A-Rob, I thought this would be the pick. However, I have trouble seeing the Jaguars going wide receiver in the first after signing Moncrief and resigning Lee. I think if they did go here at #29, it would mean that a wide receiver is there that the Jaguars didn't expect to be there. It is a possibility, but I don't think likely.
I think QB could well be a target for them at some point in the draft, but leaving only one QB on the roster going into the draft makes their intent for the position a bit obvious. A Matt Moore type signing pre draft would not be a total shock. Neither would drafting a guy like Rudolph in the first.
We agree on MLB, but I offer a couple of caveats. First, if an ultra athletic MLB who is capable of playing three downs is somehow still on the board at 29, he becomes more of a consideration. Not only would it make the base defense better, but it would give the defense versatility at LB, both schematically or cap wise down the road, in case Jack somehow becomes too expensive or otherwise no longer wants to stay. Second, I think when we draft a MLB will depend upon how the team views Blair Brown. I think Brown could slide into MLB and do a good job. Of course, the coaches may or may not feel the same. But if they are high on his ability to play Mike effectively, obviously that pushes MLB down the priority list.
At this point, I agree that the ASJ signing drops TE down the list of needs. I think TE could still be taken, but not highly now. I think part of the reason is that of the main candidates, only one is even remotely accomplished as an in line blocker-Goedert. I could see a 4th or 6th round pick expended on a more athletically limited TE who is more accomplished at run blocking.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!