(04-23-2023, 12:51 PM)Kane Wrote:

(04-23-2023, 12:11 PM)NYC4jags Wrote: 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.

---