I know many of you have long been awaiting for me to break my silence on the Jaguars draft performance. I have broken my grades into several key areas as well as having some fun in picking players I'm glad we didn't take or dodged a bullet with as well as potential regrets. Anyway here it goes

 

1.4 Leonard Fournette RB LSU 

 

Fournette represents tremendous athletic ability of generational talents that fans have been hearing about since his days at St. Augustine. Fournette is clearly a physical gift and was selected higher than most RB's in the past decade. This pick will only be a success if he can become the Adrian Peterson type of player and lasts long enough for the team to be in a position to win. Running Backs that treat their bodies like a gravedigger monster truck don't play very long, so this is is where there becomes some concern. Overall the pick makes sense, it fills a huge hole in a draft class that is deep but not clearly obvious when it comes to the best 10 or so prospects. I wouldnt give an A for any team in the top 10 for simply picking their player and Fournette is a High Reward, High Risk selection.

 

Bullet Dodged: Mitchell Trubisky

We may regret: O.J. Howard

Overall Grade: B

 

2.Cam Robinson OL Alabama

 

This pick comes with some question marks for me. Initially you might say, wow a highly acclaimed player in round two = Jackpot right? Well let's analyse this for a second. Robinson comes from a system where their pros have struggled to progress as they seem ready but very worn out and unable to meet expectation. I also see a prospect that fell for several reasons and more importantly looks and grades out better as a guard. Robinson has horrendous feet both technically and physiologically making him better suited to swing inside, as a Guard there were two players who graded out better for me than robinson and if you follow my logic, he's not a premier LT prospect either. Leaving me with a slight dilema. Moreover, we traded away a 6th round pick to take him over McDowell who is a terrific DL prospect who I think will be a better player. Why not pick McDowell or someone else and let Seattle have Robinson since there were still better guard prospects? That sixth rounder, although most likely a player that will fizzle out of the league. However, there was solid value in the 6th round that was given up for a player who doesn't project to be a premier LT and therefore is a bit questionable for me. I will agree it looks good on paper as the media had him as a top 10 player.

 

Bullet Dodged: Budda Baker 

Might Regret: Sidney Jones

Overall Grade: C

 

3.4 Dawuane Smoot DE Illinois 

 

Very underwhelming selection with so much mouth-watering talent available early in round three. Dave Caldwell either panicked and forgot his board or maybe he just really had to have this flat footed but high energy athlete. Definitely needs some athletic and technical refinement so he comes in as a project player. Reminds me a lot of eagles first round draft bust Marcus Smith but with more average athleticism. Smoot potentially allows the Jaguars to move on from Dante Fowler if he still fails to impress as well as add some more Pass Rush depth so he has time for development and won't have to worry about filling in right away. I think DC picked a decent player about a round too early but may have left some much stronger talent on the board. 

 

Bullet Dodged: Taywan Taylor

Might regret: Antonio Garcia

Overall Grade: D

 

4.3 DeDe Westbrook WR Oklahoma

 

Westbrook appears to be somewhat of a luxury pick with so much talent at WR the Jags might be looking at the real possibility of losing Lee or Robinson to the open market. I did consider WR a minor need going into the off-season and event thought we could see a veteran and in this case a draft pick. Westbrook is a real talent and justifies his round and although other immediate needs could have been addressed this pick could end up being a home run ig he can translate to the next level. The only real concern to have is his size as he will get handled by physical db's and does not present much of a jump ball threat. Picking up skill players always feels good even with some decent WR talent still remaining. Caldwell has done well to find pass catchers so maybe we can trust him with this slightly risky pick. 

 

Bullet Dodged: Jaleel Johnson

We May Regret: Zach Banner

Overall Grade: C

 

5.4 Blair Brown LB Ohio

 

Brown looks like a very talented special teams player and I don't think he has much value outside of that despite his energy and willingness to find the ball. When you get into the 5th round these are really the type of players you look for to make your team as a role player or developmental player. Blair is very much a situational role player type of prospect with heart and passion for the game. Brown is not the sexiest or flashiest player but rather a tweener, "not a safety-not a linebacker" which makes it hard for those players to survive. I would hope he has a strong impact on special teams and maybe he can overcome the measurable preferences.

 

Bullet dodged: Corn Elder

Might Regret: Nate Hairston

Overall Grade: D

 

6.3 Traded to Seahawks for 2nd Round Selection in 2017 

 

Coming back to the trading away of this selection only to emphasis a very minor point that it might be worth it to be patient and view available players that could still have mad an impact like developmental arm talent, special teams needs like a placekicker, trades for veterans, etc. Again, not a huge loss but it'w worth taking a deeper look into how to really work a draft in your favor and not let teams snag extra picks from you just to move up a few slots or in this case swap one

 

Bullet Dodged: Tanzel Smart 

Might Regret: Bucky Hodges

 

Grade: N/A 

 

7.4 Jalen Myrick CB Wisconsin

 

Myrick is silver medalist of the underwear Olympiads favorite event - the 40 yard dash in 2017 but not only can he run 40 yard really fast, he's actually a very gritty and physical style of corner much like Brandon Flowers. Myrick has legitimate nickel package and special teams potential so he becomes a very attractive pick in a meaningless round. 

 

Bullet Dodged: Joey Ivie

Might Regret: Zane Gonzales

Overall Grade: A

 

7.22 (From Miami)  Marquez Williams FB Miami 

 

I look at this selection as an economical exchange for Julius Thomas. Best case scenario is that Marquez becomes a fixture at FB for the next 11 seasons, while helping turn Fournette into an all pro by paving the way. Williams was a highly rated FB with a truly violent playing style that is reminiscent of a different time. I don't have high expectations so even if Williams doesn't make it past the summer, dumping off Julius Thomas contract is a bonus because we will not have to pay that ridiculous salary and the Jaguars might have finally found someone who can do some run blocking

 

Bullet Dodged: Chad Kelly

Might Regret: Jordan Carrell

Overall Grade: A

 

Caldwell came into the 2017 Draft with his job on the line and can give Caldwell some credit for not getting robbed like the 49ers out of desperations, nor did a punter get selected of a franchise QB as we look for the positives. I felt like we came into a very tough draft similar to 2013 where there were no QB's or obvious choices to fill out the top ten. We missed some glaring needs like QB and TE and minor needs like NT or K while addressing some depth and the going all in on improving the disastrous running game which can hopefully springboard the great Jaguars tradition of great Running Backs. Every Draft comes with hits and misses and I could see four starters come out of this draft and a few potential impact players despite my concerns. 

 

Overall Grade C

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