It appears to me that there is a very good chance that the Jags will win at least 6 games this season and end up with a 6-10 record. If they do, then I project that they will be selecting 12th in each round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

 

First though, FREE AGENCY:

 

The players that I list here are most likely to hit the free agent market because their team has decisions to make on other players and these players are the one left out in the cold based upon those decisions. In every case, there is some published report suggesting that these players will most likely hit the open market.

 

1. Trumaine Johnson - CB - Rams - 6'2" 208 lbs - 26 in 2016 - Expected Annual Contract: 8 to 9 Million per season

 

2015 Stats: thru 10 games: 43 TT - 4 Ints - 15 PD

2014 Stats: only 9 games played - 36 TT - 3 Ints - 6 PD

2013 Stats - 16 games - 68 TT - 3 Ints - 11 PD

 

Davon House is a good No. 2 CB, but team him with Trumaine Johnson and Aaron Colvin and the Jags have a Pro-Bowl CB group, with solid backups in Gratz, McCray and Marshall or another rookie

 

2. Tashaun Gipson - FS - Browns - 5'11" 205 lbs - 26 in 2106 - Expected Annual Contract: 7 to 8 Million per season

 

2015 Stats: thru 7 Games: 32 TT - 2 Ints - 4 PD

2014 Stats: onl;y 11 games played - 52 TT - 6 Ints - 8 PD

2013 Stats: 16 Games - 95 TT - 5 Ints - 11 PD

 

Some history of injury which should impact his contract converting some money into incentives for playing time

 

With 13 Ints over 34 games, we are talking an INT about 40% of his playing time. This is what the Jags need, a FS that can create turnovers. Both Johnson and Gipson are adept at creating turnovers and this is what the Jags need as an addition to their secondary.

 

3. Olivier Vernon - DE - Dolphins - 6'2" 275 lbs - 26 in 2016 - Expected Annual Contract: 6 to 7 Million per season

 

2015 Stats: thru 10 games - 26 TT - 3 Sacks

2014 Stats: 16 Games - 46 TT - 6.5 Sacks

2013 Stats: 16 Games - 57 TT - 11.5 Sacks

 

Playing time does not seem to be an issue with Vernon. He had one year (2013) with double digit sacks, but he does get serious pressure on the QB in most games. I see Vernon rotating with Dante Fowler Jr at the LEO DE spot for the Jags with both players feeding off each other. I could see some incentives being included in the contract for more than 8 sacks in a season.

 

4. Dwayne Allen - TE - Colts - 6'3" 265 lbs - 26 in 2016 - Expected Annual Contract: 3 to 4 Million per season.

 

2015 Stats: 8 games played - 10 Receptions - 1 TD

2014 Stats: 13 games played - 29 Receptions - 8 TDs

2013 Stats - 1 game played - 1 Reception - 1 TD

 

Has a history of injuries that keep him off the field. This should limit his contract offers. Allen is an in-line blocking TE that can help in the Red Zone. He has been a secondary target to Coby Fleener with the Colts. Both Allen and Fleener are Free Agents, and I expect the Colts will pay Fleener and let Allen walk. Fleener is not the blocker that Allen is and thus Allen is valuable in the Jags run game. Still, the Jags should be very careful with any contract handed to this guy since he has problems staying on the field.

 

5. Bobbie Massie - OT - Cardinals - 6'6" 316 lbs - 27 in 2016 - Expected Annual Contract - 2 Million per season

 

Massie is best suited to play ORT, because his game is all about power. He struggles in pass blocking, hence the ORT spot is best suited for him. I believe Massie to be an upgrade to any other backup OT currently on the roster. Still this is a bit of a luxury selection.

 

College Draft:

 

Rd 1(12): DeForest Buckner - DE - Oregon - 6'7" 290 Lbs

 

2015 Stats: thru 11 games: 69 TT - 14.5 TFL - 8.5 Sacks

 

The idea here is to draft a pass rusher to play opposite Dante Fowler at the BIG 5 Tech DE. I believe that Buckner could be another Mario Williams type of DE. He is very strong at holding the edge in run defense and if you watch Oregon games, you notice he rarely comes off the field. In a rotation with Odrick, I think the Buckner thrives. Another comparable might be Calais Campbell of the Cardinals. Buckner could allow Odrick to play more 3 Tech DT on more passing downs. Odrick seems to be learning from SenDerrick Marks how to improve his pass rush skills on the inside.

 

Rd 2(43): Jarrad Davis - MLB - Florida - 6'2" 230 Lbs

 

2015 Stats: thru 11 games: 77 TT - 10 TFL - 3.5 Sacks - 1 Int - 3 QBH

 

Next to Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame, I believe the next best LB that may come out in the 2016 draft is Jarrad Davis (No. 40). Reports suggest that indeed Davis will declare for the 2016 draft and I think he could be the heir apparent to the MLB spot which Poz currently mans. Poz does not have to leave right away, because I think Davis could also play some Otto.

 

Rd 3(75): Bronson Kaufusi - DE - BYU - 6'7" 265 Lbs

 

2015 Stats: thru 11 games: 53 TT - 16 TFL - 10 Sacks - 1 Int - 5 QBH

 

The Jags need to load up on pass rushers to rotate them on the dline when the team is in need of generating some pass rush. Kaufusi is a bit of an older player because of his missionary work at BYU. He has played Basketball for the Cougars, so he has some athleticism. I see him as a bit of a sleeper who should be able to put on another 20 pounds and rotate behing Buckner freeing Odrick to play more 3 Tech DT along with SenDerrick Marks. (Note, I fully expect the Jags to allow Branch, Smith and Clemons to all walk in Free Agency, so Kaufusi is a player who will most likely replace Branch as a backup pass rush DE).

 

Rd 4(111): Kyler Fackrell - Otto LB - Utah State - 6'5" 250 Lbs

 

2015 Stats: thru 11 games - 73 TT - 13.5 TFL - 4 Sacks - 12 QBH

 

Has experience rushing the passer as well as dropping in coverage at the SLB position covering RBs and TEs. I see him rotating with Dan Skuta at the Otto LB position and playing special teams. His ability to create pass rush pressure is intriguing.

 

Rd 5(147): Trae Elston - FS - Mississippi - 5'11" 195 Lbs

 

2015 Stats: thru 11 games - 59 TT - 4.5 TFL - 4 Ints - 10 PD

 

I see Elston backing up Tashaun Gipson at the FS position allowing James Sample to push Cyprien at the SS position. Elston is a playmaker for the Rebels and is more of a complete player than Tony Connor who seems to be the more name worthy safety for Ole Miss.

 

Rd 6(183): Ejiro Ederaine - WLB - Fresno State - 6'3" 234 Lbs

 

2015 Stats: thru 11 games - 91 TT - 15.5 TFL - 9 Sacks - 2 Ints

 

Do it all WLB who would backup Telvin Smith and be a heck of a special teams player. Note this is the 3rd LB taken in this draft class with the intent of upgrading the position for the future.

 

Rd 6(195) (From Steelers): Duke Williams - WR - Auburn - 6'2" 224 Lbs

 

Dropped from the team early in the 2015 season. Has some character problems but his play skill is worth the risk of a late 6th round pick. He was projected by some in the preseason to be a potential Rd 1 selection in the 2016 draft class. High Risk - High Reward type player (BOOM or BUST?)

 

Rd 7(219): Deiondre Hall - CB - Northern Iowa - 6'2" 190 Lbs

 

2015 Stats: thru 11 games: 69 TT - 4.5 TFL - 6 Ints - 3 PD

 

Small school CB with length and hands for the INT. Special teams player and possible sleeper.

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