Quote:In the never ending process of attempting to divine the Jags perfect mock off-season player acquisition program, my work continues.

 

In this latest edition, I offer my thoughts on my selections.

 

Free Agency:

 

Sure there are a number of players that the Jags should retain on their roster but these are players from other rosters, of which I refer.

 

1. Jason Pierre Paul - DE - Giants

 

It may take 12 Mil per year to get him to come to J-Ville, but I think Gus' system is the most suited to his talents and with talent to spell him, JPP should reach the heights he envisions for himself with this new contract. BTW, he played at South Florida in college, so a return to the Sunshine State should be welcome that and no state Income Tax.

 

2. Randal Cobb - WR - Packers

 

The Packers have not stepped up to the plate and paid the man and based upon his accomplishments he deserves to be paid. Cobb is what we hoped Shorts would be, since both have similar skillsets, but simply put, Cobb knows how to get open and he also catches the ball when it hits his hands. It may take 9 Mil per season to get him signed, but he will be worth it as Bortles go-to WR.

 

3. Jordan Cameron - TE - Browns

 

The Browns may Tag Cameron, but if they do not then I think he offers a good alternative to Julius Thomas of the Broncos. Cameron had a down year in 2014, and concussions are an issue with this player, but if he can come close to duplicating his 2013 performance of 80 receptions for a TE, then he would have a major impact on the Jags offense in 2015. It may take a minimum of 8 Mil per season to sign him.

 

$ for these 3 FAs = 29 Mil per season leaving more than 31 Mil for others.

 

College Draft

 

In putting together a Championship roster the most important ingredient is the players taken in the Draft. Growing your own is always the most prudent approach to roster development.

 

(BTW - draft position takes into account projected compensatory picks)

 

Rd 1(3): Leonard Williams - DT - USC

 

Sure there is this innate FEAR that the Titans will step in and take Williams before we have an opportunity to draft him, but that is just crazy talk. Either the Titans will draft their Franchise QB or will get the Jets or Browns to pony up draft picks to move up and take the No. 2 QB. I think Tampa takes Winston because he is the most NFL ready and there is something about his performance on the field that makes the players around him think that they are going to win the game because he will pull it out with his play. Mariota will be taken 2nd and the Titans will take him because the Owner will force their hands. Leonard "BIG CAT" Williams will fall in the Jags lap and become the next dominant Defensive Player in the NFL and thus highlight Gus and the Jags.

 

Rd 2 (36): Telvin Coleman - RB - Indiana

 

I have been all over the board with this pick, but should Coleman fall to the Jags at this pick, then it only makes sense to draft that Franchise RB like Mojo or Fred and that player is Telvin Coleman. He is described as a DeMarco Murray clone and if he can get Demarco Murray production out of him, then the Jags offense can become as potent as we all hope it will be one day. The Jags got their Franchise QB, and their Franchise OLT, now they need their Franchise RB.

 

Rd 3 (77): Cody Prewitt - FS - Mississippi

 

Cody Prewitt's stock has fallen somewhat this season. He is viewed more of a LB-S combo and so it makes sense that he should man the deep secondary for a defense designed by Gus Bradley that is uniquely suited to Prewitt's skillset. Prewitt will fall to the top of Rd 3 because he will not run as fast as some of the other Safeties at the Combine, but that will not be as important to Gus, because the Jags need him to play centerfield and that means use his mind to make the proper decisions.

 

Rd 4 (104): Donovan Smith - ORT - Penn State

 

Donovan Smith surprised everyone when he recently declared for the NFL draft. He manned the OLT for the Penn State and his protection was not always the best that it could be. Part of that has to do with his QB and partly because Donovan Smith is probably better suited to play ORT. His ceiling is late Rd 3 but because this is a deep OT class, I think he falls to the top of Rd 4. He will compete for the ORT spot from day one.

 

Rd 5 (145): Tyler Kroft - TE - Rutgers

 

Kroft had a big 2013 season but regressed some in 2014 partly because he was not targeted as much and because Rutgers emphasized the ground game more in 2014. This actually did Kroft a favor, because he became a better inline blocker. He still needs two offseasons to increase his strength and weight, but what Kroft offers is a long striding TE who can attack the creases in the middle of the secondary. So he is a bit of a project, but he has the skillset to be an effective pass catcher and back up Cameron as the 3rd TE on the Jags roster.

 

Rd 6 (184): A.J. Johnson - ILB - Tennessee

 

A.J. Johnson has Rd 2 to 3 talent, but his off the field troubles will cause him to fall in the draft and potentially be taken off many draft boards. Still, this talent is undeniable and if he can interview well at the Combine, then I can see a team like the Jags using a Rd 6 pick to give him a chance to redeem himself. There is not denying the Jags need some LB help and so they take a chance on a talented but somewhat troubled player to man the ILB position behind Poz and  JT Thomas.

 

Rd 7 (221): Jordan Taylor - WR - Rice

 

Tall fast WR who has set all kinds of records at Rice. I envision him as a poor mans Riley Cooper.

 

Until next time...

Thanks for this most recent scenerio, Stigma. I always enjoy reading these and gain insight from your descriptions of potential targets for the Jaguars. The best part of this scenerio would be adding Pierre-Paul and Williams to an already solid defensive line. If this happenned, I believe the Jags would potentially have the best D-Line in the NFL if Marks can return close to 100%. Luck would dread facing them twice every year (slight exaggeration). Adding 3 difference-makers on the offensive (Cobb, Cameron and Coleman would help Bortles immeasureably). The only thing missing from this is an experienced right tackle. I expect the offensive line to improve with experience, but believe a veteran should be acquired to plug into the right tackle spot. Bulaga and Free appear to be the best candidates and would be worth whatever Caldwell/Khan are willing to pay. If neither becomes available, I'd definitely draft one in the 2nd round instead of Coleman. Flowers from Miami or Clemmings from Pitt would be immediate upgrades over Pasztor. Since the running back class is so deep, they could grab one later in the draft to compete with Robinson, Gerhart and Todman. With an improved O.Line, I would expect this unit to be adequate. I have hopes that Robinson will continue to improve and a healthy Gerhart provides a nice 1-2 punch.

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