Jacksonville Jaguars 2009 NFL Draft Grades: "Experts Take"

The following is a list of major sportswriters opinions on the Jacksonville Jaguars 2009 Draft Class. Let's hear what the "experts" say.

Tommy Lawlor of Scouts Notebook

First Day Take

"The Jags take a pair of OTs in Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. I didn't see that coming. Very interesting. Jack Del Rio talked about wanting to get back to being a physical team that could dominate up front. I thought they'd go for BJ Raji at pick 8 and get the OT in the 2nd. Del Rio added LT Tra Thomas in free agency and had Tony Pashos in place at RT. He got his OTs for the future, but I could also see both guys pushing the veterans in front of them."

Round 3 Take

"I know a lot of people are on the Jaguars for their 3rd round picks, DT Terrance Knighton and CB Derek Cox. I understand that those guys came off the board earlier than expected. I liked both guys, but figured they would be picked in the 5th and 6th rounds respectively. I do think there is some logic to the picks. Knighton had the best combination of size, athletic ability, and production in a DT outside the top 50 picks. Teams will reach for guys like that. The Jags defense is predicated on big DTs. Going for him at that point isn't unreasonable at all. Cox going in the 3rd definitely caught me off guard, but I had just watched 3 of his games in the last 10 or so days and he had grown on me. Cox is a big CB with athletic ability and cover skills. While he went early, at least you can understand that he is is also somewhat of a rare commodity. Big CBs like Bradley Fletcher, Kevin Barnes, and Keenan Lewis also went in the 3rd round. Cox might have the most athletic ability of the group. He is the only one with good RS ability. Take away the school name beside these prospects and Cox makes a ton of sense at that spot. The fact he did play at the I-AA level is a factor, but the Jags have had luck with some small school guys. Both picks make more sense than many realize."

Ross Tucker of Sports Illustrated

"Jack Del Rio was tired of drafting guys who didn't pan out. That, and he wanted to get back to his meat and potatoes philosophy. That meant getting more physical up front. The Jags got amazing value in picking offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton much lower than most people anticipated. Terrance Knighton is the big body that was needed next to John Henderson, and Jacksonville waited until later to get receivers like Mike Thomas and Jarrett Dillard after their negative experiences with Matt Jones and Reggie Williams early in previous drafts."

Gene Frenette of Florida Times-Union

"B- An almost perfect first day by taking bookend offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. The big question is whether the third-round picks, DT Terrance Knighton and CB Derek Cox, who cost the Jaguars a 2010 second-round choice, represent the best value."

Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly

"The Jaguars filled a pressing need on their offensive line, building inside out under first-year GM Gene Smith, with Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, both of whom slipped into their hands, expected to start immediately. After busting on too many first-round receivers, they may have addressed the need better than ever with the additions of Mike Thomas, Jarrett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood in Rounds 4-7. Thomas could be a steal. They took a lot of shots on lesser-known and small-school talent with their other picks, even giving up a 2010 second-round pick to the Patriots to select William & Mary CB Derek Cox. DT Terrance Knighton, TE Zach Miller and RB Rashad Jennings all have upside and could earn roster spots, but each may take some time, especially Miller, the highly athletic, converted quarterback. The first team to release its undrafted free-agent signings following the draft, where they signed 18 players, the Jaguars may have overhauled their roster and could easily have come away with four starters.

Grade: Outstanding"

Jason Cole of Yahoo! sports

"Positives: Monroe, Britton will start immediately.

Negative: No wide receiver at a huge need position.

Bottom line: A-.

Some people might argue that WR Michael Crabtree would have been a better selection for the Jaguars with the No. 8 overall pick. But Monroe was also projected by many people to go a few picks higher. Thus, Monroe is a solid value pick at that spot. Moreover, Monroe is a quiet, dignified leader that the Jaguars desperately need in a locker room that has been chaotic the past few years. Getting Britton in the second round gives the Jags an immediate starter at right tackle and gives coach Jack Del Rio’s team the chance to be dominant in the running game again. That said, the Jags really need another wide receiver, even after the signing of Torry Holt."