Reader Feedback: Who do the Jaguars pick?

Round One, Pick Eight: Ohio State Defensive Back Malcolm Jenkins
Regarded by many as the nation's top corner in 2008 Malcolm Jenkins has experienced a slight fall since leaving THE Ohio State for the NFL. Whether it was his struggles against Texas or Southern California or his less than stellar showing at the Combine Jenkins has now put the question into team's heads whether he would be a better corner or free safety at the next level.

While Jenkins' slower than expected 4.51 forty yard dash numbers at the Combine have dropped him in some scouts eyes don't pigeonhole the 2008 Jim Thorpe Award Winner as a slow defensive back that has to move to safety. Both Antonio Cromartie and Chris Gamble ran slower than expected numbers at the Combine in their respective draft years. During the Buckeye's Pro Day, Jenkins ran between the mid 4.4s and the low 4.5s, improving slightly on his Combine numbers.

By selecting Jenkins the Jaguars could address two positions with one draft pick. Jenkins would likely be the opening day starter opposite Rashean Mathis, curing a significant need in the secondary. Secondly, with the addition of Jenkins that would allow Brian Williams to move back to his 2008 position of strong safety. Also on the off chance Reggie Nelson isn’t the player the team envisions at free safety Jenkins can move inside. Filling a need a corner and safety with one draft pick is serious value.

If you're still concerned about his forty time don't be. Jenkins may not be a great fit for every defense but he's a good fit for a team that employs a cover-two defense. The Jaguars will go back to their cover-two style under Mel Tucker and Jack Del Rio. With that scheme in place, and some zone coverage mixed in, Jenkins' forty time won't be as big a deal as some would like to make it.

Consider the fact that new Jacksonville defensive coordinator, Mel Tucker's coaching history is heavily steeped in coaching secondaries. In fact Tucker coached at THE Ohio State mainly coaching the defensive backs. Jaguars' GM Gene Smith is from that area and has strong ties there too. The Jaguars were in heavy attendance for Ohio State's Pro Day and have traveled back to Columbus to continue to look over prospects. Jenkins plays a smart, consistent brand of football and a hard working football player is just what Gene Smith wants in his first ever draft pick as general manager.

Round Two, Pick 39: Ohio State Wide Receiver Brian Robiskie
Jacksonville goes back to THE Ohio State University in an attempt to quell the major ill that is the wide receiver position. What the Robiskie brings is a good feel for the position and a tremendous work ethic. His father, Terry, is a longtime wide receiver coach in the NFL. Being a coaches' son carries with it an inherent hit-the-books work ethic and top notch effort, both are two characteristics the Jaguars new regime are looking to emphasize.

Physically Robiskie is ready to go, he can overpower and out-muscle smaller defensive backs. He isn't a blazer, but knows the position well and how to get open whether out wide or in the slot. He also has soft hands and better than average body control to go up and snag poorly thrown passes. It's no secret David Garrard needs more viable weapons and the Jaguars provide him one with Brian Robiskie.

Round Three, Pick 72: University of Louisville Center Eric Wood
The Jaguars are expecting to get all of their starting interior line back from injury. Included in the rehabbing list is center Brad Meester. Meester re-upped with the Jags for a few more seasons but over the last four he's missed time with various injuries bringing into question his durability. With Meester's long-term durability in question the Jaguars take the first step in cementing the future of their front five for the foreseeable future by grabbing Eric Wood from Louisville.

Wood plays exactly how the Jaguars like their linemen, tough and physical. He's agile enough to pull and find his way to the second level to clear the way for the running game, something that's always at a premium on a Jack Del Rio coached team. Wood is also a leader and possess a high football intelligence. With the addition of Wood the Jaguars solidify the quarterback of the offensive line for the next decade.

Round Four, Pick 107: University of Wisconsin Guard Kraig Urbik
With his eye fixed toward the future of the offensive line GM Gene Smith continues to stockpile future starting linemen. Former Badger Kraig Urbik fits exactly what the Jaguars look for in a guard. He's a big, nasty lineman that looks to put his opponent on the ground as he opens up holes for running backs. Urbik may be a mauler on the field but he's totally clean off it, which is music to Smith's ears. At the minimum Urbik can be a reserve lineman for his first year then possibly takeover as a starter in his second season.

Round Five, Pick 144: University of Alabama Running Back Glen Coffee
While there's talk about the Jaguars taking "Beanie" Wells in the first round I don't buy it. Although the Jaguars do draft a running back to help shoulder the load with Maurice Jones-Drew. Glen Coffee runs only one way, hard. He's a smart and instinctual player plus he's a more than adequate pass catcher and a hard worker to boot. Coffee may never be a starter in the NFL but in the role the Jaguars will utilize him he's ideally suited.

Round Six, Pick 180: University of Georgia Defensive Tackle Corvey Irvin
The Jaguars underestimated how much they would miss Marcus Stroud. Rob Meier was over-matched in his new role and "Big John" Henderson clearly missed his running mate. The team needs to grab another big bodied lineman that can clog up the run and at least allow Meier to do what he does best, come off the bench on third downs to rush the passer. The Jaguars go back to Marcus Stroud's alma mater and grab Corvey Irvin.

Even though Irvin was a one year starter at Georgia he impressed in that one year. He racked up over 30 stops and 8.5 tackles for loss. At 6'3, 301 lbs Irvin isn't a great athlete but he works hard in the trenches and has enough initial quickness to pursue down the line to make the stop.

Round Seven, Pick 232: Stillman College Defensive Tackle Sammie Lee Hill
In an attempt to refortify the defensive tackle position the Jags take a chance on a big small school product. Hill didn’t face top competition in college but he has great size and tremendous strength that cannot be taught. With the addition of the Stillman product the Jaguars defensive line immediately gets bigger and stronger.

Round Seven, Pick 250: Louisiana State University Full Back Quinn Johnson
This one is for running backs coach Kennedy Pola. While I have a lot of love for Greg Jones, the Jaguars need a full-time full back especially with Jones likely to see more carries go his way in 2009. They'll get their fullback in Quinn Johnson. Johnson is a huge blocking presence that flat out flattens any defender stupid enough to get in his way. While he isn't much of a receiver that's alright, just go out and flatten the competition is good enough. Again, the Jaguars hit on a guy that's a team player and has unquestionable character.

Round Seven, Pick 253: University of Alabama Quarterback John Parker Wilson
With their final pick of the 2009 draft the Jags draft quarterback coach Mike Shula's protege. Wilson doesn't seem to have what it takes to be a starter at the next level but that's o.k. the team sees him as a back up quarterback. JPW has adequate physical skills and has a lot of the intangibles that seem to evade college passers making the transition to the pros. The kicker is Jacksonville has the best inside info on John Parker Wilson with former Alabama head coach Mike Shula being the Jags current quarterback coach.