The more I study this draft class and consider the Jaguars needs, I find myself more fascinated over the possibilities in April's draft.  There are arguments to be made for taking a T early, as well as WR.  Given the injuries that happened last year and the release of Parnell, there is certainly a lot of support for taking one of the stud offensive linemen.  The right RT picked at 7 would give the team youth along the OL, open up some running lanes, and provide much needed protection for our new QB.  D.K. Metcalf seems to be a unique physical specimen at the position.  If his route running capabilities can be refined and he can stay healthy, Metcalf would provide our offense with a faster version of Alshon Jeffrey, a favorite target of Foles when he was in Philadelphia.  Either one of those positions could help the Jaguars a great deal.  However, I think the TE position is the most intriguing to me,and it gives us the most possibilities. 

There was another thread asking if we should double down on offensive linemen early.  As compelling an argument as there is for taking two OL early, I think there is a stronger case for taking two TEs early.  First off, this is another strong and deep TE class.  Double dipping out of this deep talent pool can only help make our draft class stronger if we hit on two players from this deep part of the draft.  Secondly, drafting two TEs would give us much needed depth at the position.  As it stands now, we don't have much at the position.  While taking one TE from this draft class would certainly upgrade the position, taking one would leave us perilously thin at the position.  An injury would negate any improvement at the position if it means the same unimpressive guys that can't beat coverages are in getting playing time, putting us right back in the position we would be in had we not drafted a TE this year at all-at least for the duration of the injury.  Furthermore, drafting two TEs in this class would enable us to create some mismatches.  If you think back to two of the most effective offenses in recent years_New England and Philadelphia, both featured two TEs that could/can beat coverages.  The Patriots offered a young Gronk and a pre murderous Aaron Hernandez.  Furthermore, last year's Eagles offered an imposing TE duo of Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert.  I believe the Jaguars offense would benefit a great deal from a similar dynamic, especially when it comes to easing the transition for Foles.  Whether you liked the Foles signing or not, one of the big concerns associated with it is the lack of weapons surrounding him in comparison to Philadelphia.  Drafting two TEs that can block and beat coverage would go a long way into giving Foles the tools at his disposal to win here.  Finally, drafting two TEs will be of tremendous help to the coaches.  Offensively, it allows for formation versatility, passing more effectively out of a personnel grouping that would clearly suggest run.  Defensively, it would help us better prepare for heavy TE teams like the Colts.  Even though we shut them out in the second game between us, the first game, they ate us alive with formations, many of which were two TE sets.  If we utilized those formations more in practice with credible blocking and receiving threats, the Colts couldn't surprise us with those as easily.  When you look back in Jaguars history,  you will find the team has been the most effective when it has been able to offer two of a given threat.  In the early days, our offense was good because we offered two great WRs in Jimmy Smith and Keenan and two great tackles in Boselli and Searcy.  During the JDR era, our running game was dominant because we had FT and MJD, and our run defense was dominant because we had two stid DT clogging up the middle in Stroud and Henderson.   Most recently, our trip to the AFC championship game was possible because we had dominant defensive dynamic duos in Ngakoue and Campbell rushing the passer, two fast lbs in Smith and Jack, and tw smothering CBs in zRamsey and Bouye.  Following up an early selection of a TE with a mid round selection of a TE-especially those with some athletic ability and speed, would do wonders for this offense by replicating the dual dynamic at a position we haven't done it before.

Now assuming the team is open to taking a TE in the first round, the conventional wisdom indicates Hockenson would be the pick.  TC prefers his TEs to be able to block, and Hockenson can definitely do that.  But are we selling Noah Fant short?  I read one scouting report that said Fant "blocks better than most."  Just because he isn't as effective blocking as Hockenson doesn't mean he can't block at all.  To me this begs the question:  is the difference in blocking ability between Hockenson and Fant greater than the difference between Fant's athletic ability and Hockenson's?  It's certainly no stretch to assume that a guy running a 4.51 like Fant would cause more coverage matchup issues for a defense than a guy like Hockenson running in the 4.7 range.  Make no mistake, I don't think you can go wrong with either player if you are committed to taking a TE in the first.  But I do wonder which one would be of more benefit to our offense, the better blocker or the better athlete.

Finally, I remember at the Senior bowl, the Jaguars were talking to LSU TE Foster Moreau.  I figured he was likely a strong blocking TE.  Goodness knows, the LSU passing offense was no great shakes over the years.  But then he ran that impressive 4.66 40 at the combine, and I'm thinking he can be one of a few good options in the mid rounds should we decide to double up on the position, or wait until later to address it at all.

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