How to Fix the Jaguars

via assets.sbnation.com

(I originally posted this on Mocking the Draft, but figured I'd post it here as well, since it definitely pertains to the Jaguars.)

I've decided to take a shot at how to fix the Jaguars. While it can't be said that the Jaguars are broken, as they are young and up and coming, they could use more retooling and further addition of talent. I'm guessing they will finish the season around eight wins, so I'm guessing they will be picking in the middle of the rounds. The Jags have a lot of talent, but young talent that needs extended development. The focus has to be on the defense this year, as Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves are beginning to place doubts in the minds of Jaguars fans everywhere.

Gene Smith seems to have his specific ideals for drafting players, so I'm going to keep BAP in mind, but also take into consideration Gene's like for underrated/small school guys who are hard workers. I'm also assuming we stick with the 3-4 defense for next season. There is no way to tell, but Reggie Hayward's contract is up anyway, so we could again see a lack of bodies at the defensive end spot. 

At the end of the preseason we traded Tampa Bay a conditional draft pick for Josh McCown. Hopefully Garrard will stay durable despite the pounding he takes, so McCown will only cost us a seventh. (I'm still clarifying our exact pick situation, so forgive me for any mistakes.)

Round 1: Morgan Burnett-Georgia Tech. (Strong Safety)

I saw this pick in another mock and I'm sticking with it. Mays and Berry are off the board, but Burnett could pull himself up into that conversation. I watch Tech often and I love what this guy can do. He makes plays all over the field, tackles well in run support, and above all is a ball hawk, with seven interceptions last season and 4 so far this season; an area the Jaguars desperately need improvement in. He could kick Gerald Alexander to free safety, and Reggie Nelson to cornerback, and upgrade the secondary as whole. While a pass rusher could be considered a major need here, since the Jaguars are tied with the Jets for 31st in the league in the sack category, with a whopping five quarterback drops, I'm not ready to label Harvey and Groves as busts, as it is their first year in the 3-4 system.

Gene Smith radar: Burnett is highly talented, is in no way a character concern, and could start soon after being drafted, all things that spur Gene's interest. The Jaguars are one of the worst pass defenses in the league, while pass rush help is necessary as well, safety is a major concern.

Round 3: Vince Oghobaase-Duke. (Defensive End/Tackle)

I'm not sure if he will last this long, but if he does, he could be a great 3-4 end. I've watched him a few times over the past two years, and it seems that he has good power and agility. He needs to add more strength to be an effective end in the 3-4, but that should be no problem in Luke Richeson's unique weight training program. While third rounders aren't often looked at to be immediate contributers, the Jags found a nice surprise this season with rookie Terrance Knighton who was drafted in the third round. This pick makes the line another step younger, placing Vince with Knighton and the aging but newly rejuvenated John Henderson.

Gene Smith radar: Vince is another seemingly high character guy who is a great effort player. He is smart, as he went to Duke, which is something Del Rio likes in a player. While a quarterback could be a possibility here, I think the organization still fully backs David Garrard and is not ready to hand over the reigns just yet. A quarterback will be drafted in this draft, but the defense needs to be fixed first.

Round 4: Noel Devine-West Virginia. (Running Back)

Unless a team falls in love with his speed, he should end up being picked around the fourth round. Devine has extreme speed and elusiveness in the open field. He has ability to break arm tackles, and catches the ball well out of the backfield. The Jaguars recently inked Jones-Drew to a pretty lucid contract extension, but the Jaguars don't have a scat type of back that can give Drew a break on third downs and make plays as a dump off option; somebody that Garrard can feed the ball to when teams are pinning their ears back and taking advantage of those rookie tackles.

Gene Smith radar: The team spoke this off-season of getting Garrard some weapons, and it appears they did. Grabbing Devine would add to the quickly developing arsenal of weapons David has now amassed. 

Round 5: Thaddeus Lewis-Duke. (Quarterback)

Thaddeus is a greatly underrated player in his senior season at Duke. He has started since his freshman season, and has always been hidden on a bad team; the truth is the guy can really play. He has scrambling ability and is fairly accurate. Has shown some nice down the field arm strength as well. Will remind many Jaguars fans of David Garrard in both build and playing style.

Gene Smith radar: The team knows it needs a developmental quarterback to groom for the future. Thad Lewis reminds the organization of David Garrard, and seems capable of running a passing oriented offense, which is what I feel the Jaguars are headed towards in the future. 

Round 6: Ryan Pugh-Auburn. (Center/Guard)

While Ryan Pugh may not come out, as he is just a junior, he represents who Gene Smith would be looking at here. An interior lineman is needed to compensate for Brad Meester, whenever he leaves. Whoever is taken here would be looked at as a developmental prospect who could train and get stronger for the future. 

Gene Smith radar: Gene always stays true to BAP, and he could have some guards and centers for the future high on his board at this point of the draft. Stock up on late talent, which Gene's staff seems good at finding, and develop for the future.