Now that the season is coming to an end, and the future is looking better, who are the serious contenders for our first round draft pick? It may seem too early to talk about this, but what is our main priority?



 

Our defense needs some restructuring but things are improving, especially in the trenches. I think this draft has a good selection of DE we could take advantage of, but a CB like Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu may be hard to pass up, if we're thinking D.



OR is surrounding Bortles with talent more important? If he is our franchise guy, which he is and should be at this point in time, then it would seem wise to give him tools. A running game must be established to give #5 a chance to open it up down field, but do we start looking for a needed RB or keep building a strong foundation to protect Bortles, or whomever he hands the ball to, by picking a franchise OL?



 

I just don't think this year's selection of RB is good enough to make a long term team impact but I could be mistaken. In my opinion, the best move we can make at this point is to give our QB a bouncer to learn this offense with.



Outland Trophy winner BRANDON SCHERFF is one of the most well coached, energetic, and strongest linemen to enter the draft in a few years (if not THE strongest…did you see the video earlier this year of him cleaning 3X450lbs?... …insane). This is not a surprise with his experience at Iowa under OL guru Kirk Ferentz and the best college strength and conditioning coach you could ask for in Chris Doyle. I could give a long list of successful Hawkeye linemen drafted in the last few decades, or even recent years, but you really only need to say two words: Marshall Yanda. Consider we had a corn-fed boy in Brad Meester lead our line through some dark times, and that Scherff’s last college game will be played in EverBank Field, and it seems like all signs point to draft this BEAST. Thoughts?

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First time I've watched him on youtube and I'm SOLD instantly. What a monster 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9Hq4bdFY0

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Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's draft stock has severely fallen this season, and with the knee injury on top of that, I see him as a mid round selection now. Jacksonville doesn't have a pressing need at corner, but I could see Ekpre-Olomu becoming a good nickel. Assuming he's brought in during a late round.

 

In the top 5, you're looking at D-Lineman like Randy Gregory and Leonard Williams. Both are good in my eyes and I haven't decided which I prefer yet.

 

Brandon Scherff is my favorite O-Lineman coming out, and I think he'd be a long-term starter at the RT position. If the Jags go after him, I'd like to see them move into the middle of the first round to do this, as that's probably where Scherff will end up being taken anyway.

 

I also like Shaq Thompson, I think he'd be able to come in and take the OTTO linebacker responsibilities instantly.

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If this was a couple weeks ago I would have never said this but I wouldn't mind taking Brandon scherff

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"A man with no sauce is lost.

<p style="text-align:center;">But that same man can get lost in the sauce."

Looks like we'll be picking somewhere from 3-5. Looks like DL might be the way to go. But, man, I sure hope we can find a stud RT early. Gotta get the big guys early.

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Looks like we'll be picking somewhere from 3-5. Looks like DL might be the way to go. But, man, I sure hope we can find a stud RT early. Gotta get the big guys early.

Hopefully we can get a veteran in free agency so he can come in right away and upgrade the position

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I also like Shaq Thompson, I think he'd be able to come in and take the OTTO linebacker responsibilities instantly.

I like Thompson but he would be a terrible fit at OTTO. Too small for that role. Someone like Bud Dupree would be a better fit there.

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Leonard Williams.

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I like Thompson but he would be a terrible fit at OTTO. Too small for that role. Someone like Bud Dupree would be a better fit there.

Dupree? I think he would burnd in pass coverage.  Thompson would be perfect for either OLB spot but Telvin has the Will on lock and I think Thomas is a better fit at the OTTO  than at MLB.  If we don't resign Thomas back I would be more than happy with a trade back and taking Thompson.

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Hopefully we can get a veteran in free agency so he can come in right away and upgrade the position

 

There are quite a few of impending FA's at OT right now, but it always seems the really good ones never make it to FA until they're all washed up. I'd still like to draft a guy and find an upgrade stop gap guy for next year.

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All depends who we get in FA but we need the best player available ideally at OT, S, RB, LB.  It looks like TB will pick first and probably take Mariota.  Assuming the tacks pick second they probably take Winston (Mettenberger is talented but injured all the time), Cooper is going to be tough to pass on.

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I got to watch all of Dupree's games since I attend Kentucky and believe he will be a good NFL player but he's not going in the top 10.  Would be a great option for the 2nd round, but I doubt he will be available then.  I see the Jags taking Gregory or Williams as of right now. 

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I think Dupree is going to end up with his hand in the dirt, he's too much of a straight forward runner, and would be a liability in coverage.. He looks like a good pass rusher though

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Stud olinemen dont hit free agency......

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Stud olinemen dont hit free agency......

don't have to be stud, I would be happy with average

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Williams

Gregory

Ray

Scherff


One of the above.

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He looks like a perfect RT! My God, I was sold around 2:40 mark In that video when his man drops into coverage and he just looks to his right and plasters the guy next to him!

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He looks like a perfect RT! My God, I was sold around 2:40 mark In that video when his man drops into coverage and he just looks to his right and plasters the guy next to him!

If you like that, you're going to love this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZR1QIjOajA

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Remember when Jungle Cat was flamed for banging the table for a lineman last spring. Our D line can survive without taking a fresh body first round. Bortles needs more protection, poor kid hasn't had much of a chance. Although Caldwell has been awesome with his 4round and later picks, maybe we should look for one then.

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"Expect for the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes."

 

Do we even know if Scherff can play on the rightside? They said Joeckel couldn't.

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