(04-25-2020, 10:03 PM)BlueEyedJag Wrote: It's a solid B from me.  I think the big thing that I do like from this draft is the potential and high ceiling they went for.  It's a very boom or bust draft.

Henderson has the tools to be the #1 CB in the draft.

Chaisson has all the tools to be an elite pass rusher and I do think he holds up very well in the run game.

Laviska is going to be a fun one if he learns routes.

Hamilton is going to do his job as run stuffer...no frills

Bartch is going to be interesting...give him 2 years in a NFL weight room and see what he becomes.  What that kid turned himself into in 4 years at a D3 school shows he has the self drive.

I see these 5 as the only ones who will make an impact in the next 2 years.  

But I only see 1 safe choice in this draft in Hamilton...the other 4 could just as easily bust but I do like the idea of swinging for the fences.

EXCELLENT take. This was truly a "swing for the fences" draft taking two players who are the definition of "high risk, high reward." In two years, our fans are going to be saying one of the following:

" One of the team's best drafts ever! Caldwell took two of the highest risk/reward players in the draft and both turned into A+ picks. One is now a top 5 pass rusher in the league who can actually TACKLE (unlike the guy he replaced) and the other has become the Jaguars' 2nd most popular player (after Minshew) due to his amazing explosiveness when the ball is in his hands. He can turn any short completion into a touchdown and his versatility and skill-set forces every defense to know where he's at on every play. He is the offensive version of Bob Sanders in his style of play and talent, BUT without the injuries that many feared would limit his success in the NFL." 

OR

"Worst draft in team history. Two of the top 3 picks lasted a total of 6 gamed combined before being placed on injured reserve during their rookie season. The 2nd season was no better and neither guy can be counted on to be part of this team's future. They join the long list of Jaguars "teases" - following the likes of Mike Walker, Derek Cox and Dante Fowler." The only positive of this draft is that we finally said "goodbye" to Dave Caldwell who lasted about 3 years too long as the team's General Manager - to be generous."

As far as the other selections go, the picks I liked the most were Henderson and Hamilton. To me, after Okudah, Brown and Simmons were gone, the Jaguars needed to take the best player on the board at their greatest position of need. The other guys considered (especially the tackles) were not slam dunks as we learned from a higher rated tackle  taken with the 2nd pick in Caldwell's first draft. Very few criticized that pick at the time and we know how that turned out. Hamilton was a player on the rise who will perfectly fit into the 3-4 scheme the the defense will be utilizing much of the time. He will platoon with Woods to start and eventually become their number 1 nose tackle. 

The other picks they made were disappointing to me. I like Bartch's potential, but he'll likely have to be moved to guard. The one question I'd ask Caldwell is why he didn't trade up for Josh Jones to start the 3rd round. If (or should I say "when") Cam Robinson goes down or just continues to underperform, who is capable of taking his place?" Colin Johnson will help their red zone offense and Scott should be a capable nickel who will eventually replace Hayden, but they should have drafted at least one other offensive lineman (Biadasz would have been worth the risk despite his injury). 

Final grade: B

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