I see many times, the Jacksonville Jaguars needs, but they are always different, this is my opinion on the team's needs, and if you think I missed one, let me know, because I very well may have.
Click the jump!
| Team Needs | |||
| Starter | Starter Competition | Depth | Projects |
| Current starter is FA next year and has no surefire understudy | Current starter is FA next year and has understudy or current starter is inexperienced | One or more backups are FAs next year | May need a new starter or backup after 2012 season |
| WR, DE, CB, K, P | OT, OG, FS, | WR, QB, DT, RB, LB, S | C, TE, RB, DE, LB, CB |
I copied and pasted the chart from http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2011/12/24/2658615/2012-nfl-draft-scouting-for-future-chargers-bowl-games-part-3 then used HTML, to customize it, in order to add the Jaguars colors.
Quarterback: Blaine Gabbert will be the starter this upcoming season, but his backup, Luke McCown, will be a free agent. So we need somebody to sit behind him, hopefully a veteran that can come in and win us a few games, in case Gabbert goes down.
Running Back: Maurice Jones-Drew is the best back in the league, so we obviously don't need a starter. Rashad Jennings, the change of pace back, is coming off an injury, but was reportedly cleared to play a while ago, although he was on IR. The only additions to this spot, would be to the #3 back, as Deji regressed, and Dujuan Harris can't keep his footing,
Full Back: Greg Jones is one of the best in the business, and Brock Bolen and Montell Owens are serviceable special team aces.
Wide Receiver: This is the team's biggest need. If Gene wants to, he can cut every receiver on the Jaguars roster, and I wish he would, with the exception of Cecil Shorts III, who still can prove himself. Dillard was mediocre, Chastin West looked like he was still in college, Hill was cut, Robiskie went on IR after acquiring him. Kassim Osgood is a special team ace, but not a receiving threat, and Mike Thomas decided to slack after receiving a 3 year 18M contract. The team will have to sign atleast 1 receiver in free agency, hopefully two, and then draft a couple receivers.
Tight End: Marcedes Lewis will definitely be here next season, although he had a poor season, compared to his 700 yard 10 TD 2010 campaign. He's expected to bounce back. Zach Miller is backup, is an athletically gifted tight end, but is consistently hurt, and is a poor blocker. The third guy is Zach Potter, who is a good blocker, but doesn't offer much as receiving threat. This position can definitely another guy, but only guy who would fit, would have to be a solid hybrid guy, somebody who can block and catch.
Offensive Line: Left Tackle is good, as Eugene Monroe was very good this year, and Cameron Bradfield is a solid backup. Left guard was a liability, as Will Rackley is inexperienced, and showed he wasn't ready to start, he can be upgrade, but I believe the Jags will give him more time to develop before replacing him, though a temporary patch would be nice. Center is solid, as Brad Meester is still good, but he is aging, and will be in a contract year. His backup is supposedly the next center, as he has been being groomed for the last few years. Right guard is good with Uche Nwaneri playing solid football, and Kevin Haslam coming off injury. Right Tackle is a liability, as Eben Britton is consitently hurt, though in a recent Jaguars.com article says he feels better then he has in a long time. His backup is horrible as well, not even serviceable. Right Tackle can use an upgrade, and then switch Britton over to guard, and let Rackley groom more.
Defensive Line: Defensive Tackle is a set position, as Tyson Alualu is turning into a solid DT, and Knighton is becoming one of the best. Knighton will be in a contract year this year as well, but 2 of back ups, Douzable and Mosley and Collins are free agents, and Douzable may get some looks from teams looking for a 3/5 tech. If none are retained we will need atleast one or two guys to replace them, but I think they will resign. At defensive end, we are leading into a dark tunnel. Matt Roth and Jeremy Mincey, the starters, are both free agents, Aaron Kampman will likely be cut. So the Jags need to resign one of these guys, and draft a guy to start, or sign a defensive end in free agency, and draft a defensive end as well. Maybe Coples and Mario Williams? Depth is fine, as Austen Lane, John Chick, and Aaron Morgan are all coming off IR.
Linebackers:The starting linebacker unit for Jacksonville is one of the best in the league, but Posluszny is rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Session is coming off IR as well, but it was due to multiple concussions, and he should be fine. Daryl Smith as we all know is the most underrated player in the league. He'll be back as well. The depth is good as well, but the Jags should try resigning Russell Allen, he's a versatile backup, who can play inside or outside, and start if needed. May be smart to get a project player to develop.
Corner Backs: Rashean Mathis, Derek Cox, and William Middleton are all coming off IR. But Mathis and Middleton are both free agents. Middleton can easily be replaced in the middle rounds of the draft, as he was the #4 CB anyway. But Mathis was the best corner on this team, and if the Jags choose to not to resign him, they either have to take a CB early in the draft or sign somebody in free agency. If healthy and while in tact, this is a strong unit. Even if Mathis is resigned a project player should be sought out, as Mathis will need to be replaced within the next few years.
Safeties: Lowery and Landry are a very good starting unit. Landry will be here for quite a while, but Lowery is a free agent, I do believe Lowery will be resigned and is a top priority. The depth is solid, as we have Courtney Greene, who is a free agent, and Prosinski, and Rod Issac.
Kicker: Scobee is a free agent, and will be a top priority, he's one of the best in the league at his trade, and replacing him would be tough.
Punter: Nick Harris is a free agent, but the guy wasn't too good anyway. We need to find a solid punter, to be good in special teams again.