Thinking about this more, and looking at the remaining schedule, I am even more inclined to draft two tackles this draft-or at minimum draft a tackle and sign a free agent.

 

As it stands now, the Jaguars QBs have been sacked 50 times.

 

We face J.J. Watt and the Texans twice, go to Baltimore, and have a home game against Tennessee, a team that registered five (5) sacks against us when we last played.

 

It is not inconceivable the Jaguars could surrender in excess of SEVENTY (70) sacks this year. 

 

For comparison's sake, David Carr-the Houston Texans' QB who was a bust, according to many, because of the pounding he took- was sacked 76 times his rookie year. 

 

We cannot allow a similar fate to befall Bortles.  Yet once again, it is being demonstrated in front of our very eyes that QB mobility does not prevent excessive QB beatings.

 

Now hopefully the OL and the offense generally plays above what it has played this year, surrenders no more sacks and wins out.

 

But that isn't likely to happen.

 

Bortles is banged up.  Aside from the wrist issue he had a few weeks ago, now he has a banged up shoulder and ankle.  Undoubtedly that is a direct result of the pounding he has taken behind a porous offensive line.

 

There was a play in the Giants game where Bortles, in an understandable act of self preservation, went into the fetal position in taking a sack.

 

We can't allow Bortles to be pummeled into skittishness.  Even though not all of the sacks fall on the offensive line, they are responsible for enough of them to warrant bolstering it with additional personnel.  Though in my mind there is a compelling argument to be made for having a predominantly defensive heavy draft, I think Caldwell would be remiss getting out of the next off season without addressing the tackle positions twice.

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