(08-15-2024, 09:16 AM)Caldrac Wrote: (08-15-2024, 09:01 AM)Mikey Wrote: we had darft picks in a year that was overflowing with line help, especially on the interior. We had a previously darfted WR/return guy(Washington), signed a WR/return guy(Duvernay), and darfted a KR specialist who's been out of commission(Robinson). We doubled down on DT (not entirely upset over this but it did overspend on one position over the other). There was PLENTY of opportunity to address the matter in a quality way. We chose not to.
Yup. We took Jordan Jefferson over the following offensive lineman:
Offensive Center: Tanor Bortolini
Offensive Center: Sedrick Van Pran
Offensive Guard: Mason McCormick
We took Maason Smith in RD2 over the following offensive lineman:
Offensive Center: Zach Frazier
Offensive Tackle/Guard: Patrick Paul
Offensive Tackle: Roger Rosengarten
Offensive Guard: Kingsley Suamataia
It'll be interesting how all of these players fair as rookies. The Maason Smith selection I can find the most forgiving. All things considered, Smith was once billed a top first round selection and his last year at LSU we slowly started seeing the player he could be in the pass rushing department coming off of his injury. Think he had top honors, or, was at least top three in pressures from his position last year.
It's the Jordan Jefferson selection that kind of surprised me. I was okay with the Javon Foster selection, but, man, I would have been really happy with Bortolini or Van Pran as a potential back-up Center with starting potential, as, they have the traits to start at this level. McCormick was also a guy I liked. I looked at him as this year's Cody Mauch type project.
Either way, if this offensive line continues to backslide in run blocking and they [BLEEP] the bed in pass protection, it'll fall back on this front office and coaching staff resting it's laurel's on just adding Morse via free agency and Foster via the draft.
I do have some hope for Steven Jones though out of Oregon. Was happy to see him picked up as an UDFA. He was out last week with the calf injury, but, it'll be fun seeing him at some point hopefully at 6'5, 340. I believe that would make him one of the biggest, if not, the biggest offensive lineman we currently have on the roster. Something we probably need out there.
Seeing this group of offensive linemen the Jaguars passed on makes me sick. It's always easy to have 20-20 hindsight, but lets look at the off-season moves as things stand now. While it is impossible to correctly evaluate the rookie class at this time, Brian Thomas Jr. looks like a great pick who gives the Jaguars the deep-threat they have been lacking. It wouldn't surprise me if he goes for 800 yds. and 7 touchdowns while opening things up for the other receivers and Etienne. This was a great pick and they landed additional picks to move back as a bonus.
Now for the negative. Maason Smith is a physical specimen who may turn out to be the next Chris Jones. If he does, I will gladly admit my mistake however the need for an interior offensive lineman was much greater. They had already added Armstead and Hamilton was expected to return to his 2022 form following his unfortunate health issues. Zack Frazier is already living up to his very high expectations and may quite possibly beat out Herbig as the starting center. Frazier also played guard his freshman season and could have started his career at this position until Mitch Morse was ready to give it up. Sort of like Brad Meester. Jordon Jefferson could still have been taken in round 4 to help improve the run defense.
Following the mistake in round 2, the Jags added insult to injury in round 4. Jefferson should be a solid nose tackle, but after passing on Frazier in round 2, McCormick or Bertolini had to be the pick in round 4. My preference would have been McCormick who would have contended for a starting spot during his rookie season. The small-school background may hold him back initially, but he has the toughness and other traits necessary for success in the NFL.
As things stand now, the best case scenario for the offensive line is for Ezra Cleveland to become the player the team envisioned when acquiring him from the Vikings. Trevor Lawrence needs Ezra to live up to his name's Hebrew meaning which is "helper." Lord only knows how much help they need on the interior of the offensive line but Ezra has to stay healthy! The rest of the line should be o.k. as long as there are no significant injuries. I just don't have the confidence in Blake Hance that the coaches apparently possess.
While it is likely too late to find significant upgrades at guard, I'd try giving the Steelers a call. They know the importance of the offensive line and have drafted Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Zack Frazier and Mason McCormick during the past 2 drafts. Is it any surprise that they have NOT had a losing season since 2003! They may be willing to part with James Daniels, who was not given a new contract or Nate Herbig who has played mostly guard during his career. While neither player is elite, they would likely be upgrades over the current reserves at guard and could even contend for a starting spot.
