After much careful study, I'd like to issue my crack at a WWGD draft, reflecting what could have been if Gene Smith were still the GM of this team, complete with "Gene's" thoughts on each pick. I welcome your comments.

 

Rd. 1: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin. The running back position was the thinnest in the draft, and the Jaguars need a star at that spot. Gene Smith liked Melvin Gordon, kind of like how he liked Maurice Jones-Drew. The problem is that the Raiders are coached by Jack Del Rio now, who also liked Maurice Jones-Drew, and therefore probably likes Melvin Gordon as well. Gene was offered three first-round picks, Mychal Kendricks, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Boykin and the hand of Chip Kelly's eldest daughter in marriage for this pick, but the chances of Oakland drafting Gordon at four were just too high for him to take that risk.

 

Rd. 2: Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State. It's that time again--that one pick of Gene's draft that makes sense.

 

Rd. 3: Tray Walker, CB, Texas Southern. Diamond in the rough. Incredible coverage player who absolutely dominated his competition. No way could he be passed at this pick.

 

Rd. 3: Zach Vigil, ILB, Utah State. Holy cow, are you kidding? I had a first-round grade on this guy, and he's still there in three? It was totally worth giving up this year's four and next year's two for a hidden gem like this. No way he makes it to our pick in round four.

 

Rd. 5: DeAndre Carter, WR, Sacramento State. Anyone else we drafted here would have been a backup, but instead we got our starting punt returner. Carter is a weapon!

 

Rd. 6: La'el Collins, OT, LSU. How did this guy fall so far? No, seriously, someone explain to me how this guy fell so far. Did he kill somebody last week or something?

 

Rd. 7: Jean Sifrin, TE, Massachusetts. Obscure player from a lower level of competition who's five years older than the average draft prospect? Sounds like a perfect pick to finish off the draft!

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