Previous Pick: Oakland Raiders
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
-B.J. Raji (DT/Boston College)
- NFL.com
What makes me enjoy watching Jaguars football games is their extraordinary physicality. They love to run the ball, and play tough defense. The defensive and offensive lines take precedence. That is why I believe they will look at Raji before any other player.
John Henderson and Marcus Stroud were once the most fearsome tackle duo in the league. Last season that pair split when Stroud went to the Bills, literally leaving a huge gap in the defensive line. Let’s face it, the Rob Meier experiment at DT didn’t go very well. So, now Jacksonville has the chance to correct that mistake.
B.J. Raji has the added bonus of being well-suited for a the nose tackle in the Jaguars new hybrid 3-4 defense. But if John Henderson is good enough to play there, then Jacksonville may look in another direction.
-Malcolm Jenkins (DB/Ohio State)
- NFL.com
Besides Rashean Mathis, the Jags are thin at the cornerback spot. They just cut Drayton Florence, who was a massive bust. It appears the team may be searching for another big, physical cornerback to play opposite of Mathis.
Although I believe Malcolm Jenkins is better suited for safety, he seems to fit too well in with the Jaguars. The Ohio State graduate is fantastic against the run, and plays physically at the line of scrimmage. Plus, he has a very similar build to potential teammate Mathis.
I know Jenkins had a bad combine, but he is still a quality player who seems custom made for Jacksonville.
-Rey Maualuga (ILB/USC)
- NFL.com
Like Maualuga, Jack Del Rio is a former USC linebacker. He may insist on having the thunderous tackler playing the inside in his hybrid 3-4 scheme. Also, after dropping Mike Peterson, they may look for a fearsome presence in the middle. I agree this is a little high to choose a middle linebacker, but if the Jags believe Maualuga is a bonafide playmaker (which I think he is), then it isn’t a reach.
-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)
I had been on the fence about the Jaguars selecting an offensive lineman here. But a fellow blogger (The Ghostwriter) struck a chord with me.
The physical play of the Jacksonville run game and pass attack are predicated on a solid offensive line. Because of injuries and age, the Jaguars line finished 25th in sacks allowed (42). Therefore, they just might try to pick an offensive lineman.
- NFL.com
Michael Oher is a fantastic player but isn’t quite the value as Raji would be at number 8. I am inclined to think that the franchise might look to grab a tackle with their second round pick. But I figured i’d cover all the possibilities-and offensive lineman is one of them.
I’d have to say I originally thought I would place Andre Smith here because he strikes me as the type of player the Jags would love. But recent developments make that really hard to do.
Next on the clock : Green Bay Packers
Keep voting so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results. Great job so far.
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I have a hard time deciding on Jacksonville’s top priority going into the draft this year. Their run defense was ranked in the middle of the league and B.J. Raji would be a great value pick at that point, so I could see your scenario playing out. On the other hand, the team gave up 40+ sacks last year and didn’t give Garrard much time in the pocket, so I could also see them scooping up the best available lineman here. Anyway, another solid post. I’ve gone ahead and added your link to my blogroll. Keep up the good work!
Ghostwriter,
thanks for adding my to your blogroll man. Thats really kind of you.
I think i’ll add a fourth scenario for the Jaguars to add an offensive lineman. They are a tough pick to decide. I agree that they really need a solid lineman, but they might address that in the second round?