FanPost

"Homegrown" Talent the Key to Jags Future

Josh Allen


Franchise has struggled to draft, develop and retain talent.

It's an age-old adage in the NFL that the best way to build is through the Draft. While it's not a universal truth in every situation, the general principle is sound. Winning trends over the last 10 years prove the correlation statistically.

While the #1 drafting team may not always win the Super Bowl, in the aggregate - the more homegrown talent you have, the more likely you are to secure a playoff berth.

So how many current Jaguars were drafted by the Jaguars and signed to a second contract?

A whopping grand total of three (3):

  • A.J. Cann (RG)
  • Brandon Linder (C)
  • Myles Jack (LB)
Yikes.

By having your team built primarily through your draft selections, there are several benefits. The first is obvious: cost. Rookie wage scales are collectively bargained, so if you hit on a draft pick - you are likely getting a deal on their salary as they outperform their wage.

In addition, re-signing or extending a draft pick is typically cheaper than signing a Free Agent. This is due for several reasons, but includes a) the player's desire to stay with the team that drafted him, b) the additional flexibility the team has to structure the contract, by utilizing the current deal's years remaining, and/or c) you get the first shot at negotiations, unlike in Free Agency where there may be multiple bidders.

Another benefit is the culture and camaraderie that comes with building through the draft. If you consistently draft, develop and retain talent - those draft class groups form bonds over time that are difficult to replicate. It's a poor analogy, but which group will likely gel as a unit better: a group of Marines who trained together at Parris Island at age 18 and are now in their second tour? Or a group of mercenaries in their mid-20s who are doing their first mission together?

Rookie classes (not always albeit) are more likely to form bonds that can translate to trust on the field. This is especially true in position groups. Josh Allen and Quincy Williams probably have a better chance of developing a strong bond and communication comfort level on the field than 2 randoms of same skill levels would 3 or 4 years from now. Playing together and winning together builds cohesion.

That's not to say that Free Agents can't come in and contribute, but it's more difficult - especially if you don't already have a strong culture. See Nick Foles' comments on the Jags last year regarding culture. Just because Foles didn't pan out doesn't mean he was wrong about that.

People make the culture, it doesn't grow on its own. The Owner, the GM, the Head Coach, all the assistants, all the players, and everyone in that building contribute to the culture.

That's why this new draft class is so important in many ways. Caldwell and Marrone are certainly at risk, maybe not this season - but certainly with this class. If guys like C.J. Henderson, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Laviska Shenault don't work out, then we'll be perpetuating the problem by not blowing the whole thing up.

How many more swings in the Draft can we really let Caldwell take, if we've only got 3 players total under contract to show for it from the 2013-2016 classes?

I believe this entire idea is amplified in Jacksonville for several reasons:
  • small market (not a major destination like NY, LA or Chicago)
  • young franchise (not a rich history a la the Packers or Steelers)
  • what it means to be "a Jaguar" (likely pales in comparison to being "a Cowboy" or "a Patriot")
  • lack of winning in recent years (unlike the Chiefs, Saints or Seahawks)
  • unestablished starting QB (as well as Minshew exceeded expectations, I don't think anyone is choosing to sign with JAX because of him...at least yet)
The general unsteadiness of the franchise likely makes JAX towards, or at, the bottom of most Free Agents list. Adding to this obviously is players wanting out (Ramsey, Ngakoue) and our reputation in light of Coughlin's very public reprimand by the NFLPA - which essentially told free agents to not sign here.

Outside of Florida's lack of a state income tax and the good weather, what makes Jacksonville an attractive destination for players? Playing two home games per year in London?

So not only is building through the draft the best route to sustaining success, it's likely the necessary route for this franchise due to all of these factors.

What to Watch

In addition to the current rookie draft class of an astonishing TWELVE (12) players, these are the players I'll be watching closely this season. Their success and ability to earn a second contract in the coming off-seasons would not only be indicative of Dave Caldwell's draft acumen, but also our entire organization's ability to develop and retain talent.
  • QB - Gardner Minshew
  • RB - Leonard Fournette (contract year)
  • TE - Josh Oliver
  • LT - Cam Robinson (contract year)
  • RG - A.J. Cann (contract ends 2021)
  • RT - Jawaan Taylor
  • WR - D.J. Chark, and Dede Westbrook (contract year for Dede)
  • EDGE - Josh Allen* (*probably our most important player right now, we have to keep him, right?)
  • DE - Dawuane Smoot (contract year)
  • DL - Taven Bryan
  • LB - Quincy Williams and Leon Jacobs
  • SS - Ronnie Harrison
All of those players are young, Jaguars draft picks on their 1st deal (minus Cann).

Let's hope that we can see as many of them as possible develop into players worth re-signing. The higher that number goes (currently sitting at just 3), the more likely we are a playoff team. If we can't extend Josh Allen in a couple of years, then what the hell are we doing? Go Jags.

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