(02-18-2024, 04:33 PM)flgatorsandjags Wrote:

(02-18-2024, 04:27 PM)jaglou53 Wrote: Thanks for sending that link. I always like hearing T. Wigg's thoughts on draft related topics. Couldn't agree more with this edition. Take free agents who will address areas of need so you can draft the most talented player at your spot. He specifically mentioned the Jags taking a guard,center, defensive tackle and cornerback in free agency beginning next month. They don't all have to be the highest priced players- just address positions of need that will be upgraded. Potential targets he mentioned were Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis and Lloyd Cushenberry. This strategy would then enable the Jaguars to take the most talented player at 17 other than quarterback. Some players they may feel that possess exceptional talent who could drop to 17 include Olu Fashanu, Quinyon Mitchell, Brian Thomas, J.C. Latham, Byron Murphy, Jared Verse or even Rome Odunze. None of these play interior OL, the team's biggest need, but there won't be an urgency to reach for a center or guard if they are rated lower on their board due to free agent acquisitions. That certainly doesn't eliminate JPJ from consideration if he is in fact their top rated player when selecting at 17. 

While this philosophy is certainly not groundbreaking, we need to hope that the Jaguars add a starting free agent interior OL (or 2) during the free agency period beginning in just about 3 weeks from now. That should be the number 1 priority as their are several good candidates and the cost for this position is one of the lowest. Finding a defensive tackle at the right price will be more difficult, but one player I'd strongly consider is Grover Stewart from the Colts. His 6 game suspension last season for PED's combined with the fact he is primarily one=dimensional ( great run stuffer ) should keep his price down. While I am not advocating the Jaguars select Jer'Zhan Newton at 17, he would be a pass-rushing force with Stewart by his side.

The best thing about this draft is our needs matchup great with the the top guys that could be available.

Yea, that's true. While we all hated the end of season collapse, it did move them up significantly in the draft to where they have a much better chance of finding a true difference-maker. I just saw cbs' most recent mock (yesterday) which had the Jaguars taking Newton. He is one of those guys who is mocked all over the place due to his less than ideal size for a DT. I'd have to say getting him at 17 would be amazing if they get a run stuffer like Stewart in free agency. By the way, this CBS mock was quite interesting since Brock Bowers didn't go until pick 18. JPJ actually went before Bowers at pick 16 by Seattle- another team needing interior offensive linemen. Imagine a scenario where Bowers, Newton and JPJ are on the board at 17. This would be a really tough one, but I don't know how you could pass on Bowers- especially after hearing T. Wigg's podcast. While Bowers' chances of falling that far are very unlikely, I'd have to say Pederson would likely break the 100 yard dash record in running up to the podium to turn in Bowers' name!

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