(11-11-2023, 01:07 PM)flgatorsandjags Wrote:

(11-11-2023, 12:19 PM)jaglou53 Wrote: So far, I'd have to give Baalke a slightly above average grade  for the players (free agents and draft choices) he has acquired. The 2021 free agent class was amazing and the current team would not be talked about as a Super Bowl contender if not for that group. Not sure how much input had in the 2021 draft with Meyer as coach, but have to give him a lot of credit for that draft class. Etienne, Campbell, Little and Cisco couldn't have been topped after the obvious choice of Trevor. His grade drops due to last year's draft, which I believe will be considered very poor once the players have been in the league a few years from now. Harrison and possibly Antonio Johnson are the only two players who can have good NFL careers, while the Jaguars passed on several other players who are likely to be very good. I am still withholding judgement on the Walker pick, since he has improved and still has the potential to be a very good player.

Why do say this?  I didn't like some of the picks but why are they the only 2 that can have good careers?  These players aren't even half way through their rookie year yet.  Lol

Just my opinion based on what I have seen thus far from the draft class. Rounds 2-4 are an opportunity to select players who can immediately improve the team as well as become important parts of the team's nucleus moving forward. Despite being a Penn State fan, I felt that taking him in round 2 was a big reach. He will likely be a very good blocker who can be utilized in the short passing game; he'll never be a difference maker like Engram or the rookies taken before him like LaPorta, Musgrave and Mayer. The Bigsby pick didn't make sense since the running back room was already strong and Bigsby is nothing special. Miller is likely to never be more than a special teams player who fills in at linebacker due to injuries. 

It's certainly easy for fans to use 20-20 hindsight to criticize certain draft picks. I hope that several players taken in the 2021 draft eventually prove me wrong. Passing on O'Cyrus Torrence in round 2 and waiting until round 5 to take a pass rusher (an undersized one, at that) were the biggest mistakes, in my opinion. Tyler Lacy has shown some promise as did Cooper Hodges prior to his injury. If these two continue to improve and eventually become starters, I'll gladly admit that I underestimated this draft class.

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