Quote:I try and allow a little time to pass to gather my thoughts regarding the draft. Sometimes the initial reaction is the wrong reaction. Well, that is definitely not the case for our draft class. It is exceptional.

 

The one thing I like about Caldwell's drafting is it makes sense. During the Gene Smith/Shack Harris years, there were far too many picks that left us scratching our heads. There was no long term plan. That has changed for the better.

 

The plan for this offseason was to rebuild the defense with talented and athletic players. Mission accomplished.

 

With that said, let's take a look to see who we got.

 

1. Jalen Ramsey CB FSU- Thank you Jerry Jones! This will probably be the easiest pick of Caldwell's career. Super athletic corner that will boost the secondary and give us a legit #1 guy. Grade: A+

 

2. Myles Jack LB UCLA- NO ONE could have imagined this scenario. Obviously there are concerns about his knee but even if he plays through his rookie contract at the elite level, this would be the steal of the draft. We added the top 2 defenders in this draft. That is unheard of. Him and Telvin will be our nickel LBs..talk about speed. Grade: A+.

 

3. Yannick Ngakoue DE Marlyand- After the top tier pass rushers, Ngakoue was the best from the next tier. This guy is a sack master and what I love is that he did it against top competition. I'm about to cringe when I type this but he is a "designated pass rusher" for now. 2nd/3rd and long expect this guy to be coming off the edge. Fowler, Marks, Jackson, Ngakoue as a lightening package sounds pretty good. Grade B+.

 

4. Sheldon Day DT Notre Dame- Great value pick. While not an edge rusher, he boosts the pass rush from the interior. He will factor into the rotation with Marks and Jackson. Grade: A.

 

6. Tyrone Holmes DE Montana- After doing some research on this guy, I like the pick. He has the size/speed and dominated his low level of competition. Is a bit of a project as he gets used to NFL caliber players but the potential is there. Grade: B+

 

6. Branden Allen QB Arkansas- Kind of an unexpected pick but after thinking about it, it makes sense. Henne is signed for the next 2 years. Allen can sit and develop and eventually become the backup QB. Best case is Allen balls out during his time in the preseason games and we flip him for a high draft pick. Grade: B.

 

7. Jonathan Woodard DE Central Arkansas- Another small school guy but some pre-draft reports had him as a potential late round steal. He will likely be a PS guy and fighting for a roster spot. Grade: B

 

 

Overall grade: A.

 

I'm more than excited to see Ramsey and Jack being day 1 starters with Ngakoue and Day factoring in situationally. This is a franchise changing draft.

 

 

#.1) You know what was weird was the reaction they had after picking Jalen Ramsey (they didn't seem all that excited), not as much as they were when they traded up for Myles Jack (of course they got him in the 2nd round).  It does make you wonder if they had really wanted Joey Bosa or something... I dunno I love the pick though Jalen Ramsey is who I had always wanted the Jaguars to draft going way back to January of this year & the first round person the Jaguars ever picked that I had wanted since the start of the Draft ( i never thought they wouldve got Blake that early in the draft & never really even considered a QB that year, but he's the best QB we ever had IMO).

 

#2.) Yes his injury status is a concern (not for week 1, as he demonstrated that he is able to play but rather long term).  On the plus side he was honest with the press and teams about the situation (maybe too honest).  A few reporters including NFL.com had Myles Jack rated as the best player in the draft despite the potential injury status.  Did many teams Red Flag him and that is why he fell, or did the fact that the Jaguars passed on him spook the rest of the teams, who knows?   At least he's not on a team where the players get injured more than others, oh wait yes he is fingers crossed.. Now does he play SS or SOLB?  They've said SOLB but it seems like SS would also be a good role for him on this defense.

 

#3.)  The knock on him is that he's horrible against the run, okay no problem bring him in only on 3rd down & long passing situations.  The guy can set the edge and is really good at both speed & power pushing defenders into the QB.  The other knock is that he is a one trick pony, but they'll work on his technical skill set.  He isn't expected to start on week 1, but rather rotate in when they feel he's ready at LEO.

 

#4.)  Pro Football Focus was big on Sheldon Day along with a few others, I feel he'll play a 3 Tech DT in a line change that would resemble that of a hockey league where they try to keep the talent close to a starting role at all times with an obvious starting line though.  It would be smart to put him in early against the run, and have the better DTs like Marks & Jackson in on 3rd down situations.

 

#5.) Holmes is expected to play a dual role like Skuta being both a LEO & SOLB backup depth chart to my understanding.  That is if he makes the team's roster & not on the practice squad.

 

#6.) I like this pick, because most of us Jaguar fans aren't high on Chad Henne as being the backup.  Not to mention the fact that Grandpa isn't getting any younger, and the coaching staff really liked Brandon at Senior Bowl game.  He is reportedly highly intelligent, and who knows might take Chad's job sooner rather than later.

 

#7.) This guy like the Undrafted Free Agents will simply fight hard in PreSeason for a spot, maybe practice squad like most late picks including QB Brandon (no guarantee that he makes the roster).

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