(04-22-2022, 01:24 PM)TownCenterJag Wrote: Baalke just said we are considering 4 players at the #1 pick.
That's ridiculous. At this point, they know who they are taking unless they get a trade offer between now and draft day.
My hope is that they can make that trade since there is really no clear number 1 player in this draft. The only team I could see possibly agreeing to a trade is Detroit due to their Hutchinson connection. I would ask for picks 2 and 34 and if they decline I'd even take their high 3rd round pick. I would then try to immediately trade pick 2 to a team wanting their #1 quarterback prospect- likely Willis. Seattle and Atlanta would be the teams I'd call since they both have a top 10 pick plus two 2nd rounders. The price would be their 1st this year (picks 8 or 9), a 2nd and 3rd this year plus a 2nd next year. If either team loves Willis, I believe they'd strongly consider this trade. The Jags then have a top 10 pick, two 2nd rounders and four 3rd rounders plus a 2nd next year. With the top 10 pick, I take either Jermaine Johnson or Jameson Williams. I'd then likely use at least one of my 3rd rounders to move back up into the 2nd round giving them three 2nd rounders.
The key is whether the Lions love Hutchinson enough to give up their high 2nd or 3rd rounder. Considering the importance of culture to the new head coach, I believe they do this since Hutchinson would become the face of their franchise and provide leadership. If the Jaguars make that trade but are unable to trade pick 2 in the draft, I'd take Neal or Ekwonu. I'd be fine with either of those linemen if the Jaguars stay at pick one, but Hutchinson would be my pick at the moment. No way I take Walker at pick one or two and I'd be really angry if Baalke does this.
My perfect scenario is that they execute both trades in round 1 and then trade back up into the 2nd to give them:
Rd. 1: Jameson Williams
Rd. 2: Arnold Ebiketie , Chad Muma and Trey McBride
Rd. 3: Jamaree Salyer, Alec Pierce , Cam Jurgens
In the first 3 rounds, they have drafted the best receiver, the best tight end, a top 3 middle linebacker, a tall receiver who can stretch the field, a potentially elite pass rusher who still needs to improve against the run and two excellent interior offensive linemen- one who can compete with Shatley at center right away. With the remaining picks, they need to address running back and add another linebacker. I'd like to see them package their late rounders to get an additional 4th or 5th rounder.
The chances of something like this happening is undoubtably very remote. However, stranger things have been know to happen and if Baalke pulls this off I'd never say a bad thing about him again!
