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2008 NFL Draft Preview – Jacksonville
Jaguars
by Joseph
Mays
NFL Draft Analyst
4/21/08
Introduction
Jacksonville
is an underrated and dangerous team. They are teetering on the
edge of great and elite and could make the jump this season.
Changing to David Garrard at the beginning of last season was a
brilliant move by Head Coach Jack Del Rio and paid immediate
dividends. He didn’t throw an INT until week 13 and had only
three during the entire regular season. With a full year under
his belt now Garrard could be in for a breakout season.
Though the Jaguars passing game was a little below average that can be
explained because of its superb rushing game. Jacksonville did
not have to throw often because Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew were
so effective. The Jaguars finished 2nd in rushing yards per
game. The defense was above average as usual but did take a hit
or two in the offseason. Addressing the few needs the team has
could catapult them to a division title and a deep run through the
playoffs.
| Offseason Transactions (as of
April 19) |
| Player |
Action |
Comments |
| Charles Sharon |
Cut |
Unsigned |
| Chris Naeole |
Cut |
Unsigned |
| Lamont Thompson |
Cut |
Unsigned |
| Gerald Sensabaugh |
FA |
Resigned |
| Greg Estandia |
FA |
Resigned |
| Greg Jones |
FA |
Resigned |
| Jamaal Fudge |
FA |
Resigned |
| James Wyche |
FA |
Resigned |
| Jeremy Mincey |
FA |
Resigned |
| Maurice Williams |
FA |
Resigned |
| Pete McMahon |
FA |
Resigned |
| Ryan Gibbons |
FA |
Resigned |
| Tony Gilbert |
FA |
Resigned |
| LaBrandon Toefield |
FA |
Signed with Carolina |
| Shantee Orr |
FA |
Signed with Cleveland |
| Quinn Gray |
FA |
Signed with Houston |
| Ernest Wilford |
FA |
Signed with Miami |
| Aaron Glenn |
FA |
Signed with New Orleans |
| Bobby McCray |
FA |
Signed with New Orleans |
| Sammy Knight |
FA |
Signed with NY Giants |
| Chris Roberson |
FA |
Unsigned |
| Grady Jackson |
FA |
Unsigned |
| Stockar McDougle |
FA |
Unsigned |
| Terry Cousin |
FA |
Unsigned |
| Jimmy Kennedy |
Signing |
From Chicago |
| Cleo Lemon |
Signing |
From Miami |
| Jerry Porter |
Signing |
From Oakland |
| Drayton Florence |
Signing |
From San Diego |
| Todd Bouman |
Signing |
From St. Louis |
| Troy Williamson |
Trade |
From Minnesota |
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| 2007 Statistics |
| Offense |
| Points/Game |
25.7 |
6th |
| Yards/Game |
357.4 |
7th |
| Rush Yards/Game |
149.4 |
2nd |
| Pass Yards/Game |
208.0 |
17th |
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| Defense |
| Points Allowed/Game |
19.0 |
10th |
| Yards Allowed/Game |
313.8 |
12th |
| Rush Yards Allowed/Game |
100.3 |
11th |
| Pass Yards
Allowed/Game |
213.5 |
15th |
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Areas
of Need
Not too many
actually. The organization added two WRs through free agency and
a trade so that need was squashed for now, though a young player could
be taken late. Adding some young talent along the o-line,
specifically at center, would be wise. The stout defense could
use a few bodies along the line to ensure they continue to play at a
high level. Finding a complement to Reggie Nelson would do
wonders for a secondary that has to stop Peyton Manning twice a year.
Center
– Brad Meester is over 30 and had to fight through a few injuries last
year. A capable backup to groom as an heir would be a great
addition in round two but they may have to wait until round four or
five. There aren’t too many natural centers in the draft this
year.
Possible Targets (Round) – Mike Pollak, Arizona State (2); John
Sullivan, Notre Dame (4); Steve Justice, Wake Forest (4); Kory
Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green (5); Doug Legursky, Marshall (5)
Defensive
Line – Marcus Stroud was shipped to Buffalo. He will be
replaced by Rob Meier and Jimmy Kennedy. John Henderson is a
force but can Meier and Kennedy fill the role left by Stroud at
DT? There are also some issues at DE. Reggie Hayward has
had trouble staying healthy and now Bobby McCray is gone. A
strong pass rusher would improve the efficiency of the entire unit.
Possible Targets (Round) – DE Phillip Merling, Clemson (1); DT Kentwan
Balmer, North Carolina; DE Calais Campbell, Miami (FL) (1); DE Lawrence
Jackson, USC (1); DT Pat Sims, Auburn (2); DT Dre Moore, Maryland (2)
Safety
– Reggie Nelson looks like a developing star at FS. Unfortunately
a complement at SS is needed with Donovin Darius bouncing around the
league and Sammy Knight in New York. Gerald Sensabaugh may get a
crack at the job again but adding competition would be the smart thing
to do. They will get a shot to add someone in rounds two, three,
and four.
Possible Targets (Round) – Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State (2); Josh
Barrett, Arizona State (3); Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame (3); Jamar Adams,
Michigan (4); Craig Steltz, LSU (4)
| 2008 Draft Picks |
| Round |
Pick
(Overall) |
Comments |
| 1 |
26 (26) |
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| 2 |
27 (58) |
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| 3 |
8 (71) |
From Baltimore via Buffalo |
| 3 |
26 (89) |
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| 4 |
26 (125) |
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| 5 |
8 (143) |
From Chicago via Buffalo |
| 5 |
23 (158) |
From Seattle |
| 5 |
24 (159) |
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