The 2011 NFL Draft for the Jacksonville Jaguars is looking exceedingly harder to predict. Not only is general manager Gene Smith very quiet on who he has the most interest in, but there are just so many positions the Jacksonville Jaguars could go in the first round. Do they add a defensive end? Do they add a linebacker or defensive back? Or do they surprise most and take a quarterback?
I am supposed to give a prediction right now on who I think they will pick, and it's not very easy. As I mentioned, there are a variety of ways the team could go. I think I've narrowed it down to about 5 picks where I think the team could go (in no particular order).
Christian Ponder, QB, FSU - The Jaguars have shown a lot of interest in Ponder since his junior season. While many would view 16 as too high for Ponder, quarterback generally is a position that's over drafted because of their importance. Gene Smith has shown however, he's not afraid to take their guy.
Cameron Jordan, DE, California - Jordan is a player who could go anywhere from the Top 10 to the mid-late 20's, depending on how he's graded and if he's seen as a fit in a 4-3 and not just a 3-4. I think his best fit is in a 3-4, but he does offer schematic versatility to play left end in a 4-3.
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa - Clayborn is a power end that should be able to compete right away for the Jaguars at left end. Like Jordan, he also allows for schematic versatility and could potentially be a 3-4 end, but most expect him to go from 16 to the mid-20's. You'll hear people bring up his lone off field incident, but I wouldn't worry about that.
Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College - This would probably be a very deflating pick for the Jaguars fan base, but if Castonzo makes it to the 16th overall pick it would be hard to not consider picking him. Even though the Jaguars have two young offensive tackles, Britton has battled injuries as well as struggled a bit in his play. The team believes he can also kick inside to guard, so you'd be potentially add to two positions with a single pick.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada - There has been a ton of interest in the Nevada quarterback. The Jaguars have spent some private time with him working on film and board work. There have also been multiple reports the Jaguars are very high on Kaepernick and some teams have him ranked as their No. 1 QB in the draft.
Who do you think the Jaguars will select?
My gut feeling on the pick: Adrian Clayborn.
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