Jaguars Post Draft Analysis

By: Jake

The NFL draft has concluded and as the dust settles, fans begin to evaluate how their favorite team fared during the busy weekend. For the Jaguars, this is how I see it:

The first round started with some questionable picks and trades (Raiders and Jets) and the craziness left Stud OT Monroe right in the laps of the Jaguars after Al Davis did what he does best and drafted a speedy player waayy too early. With the decision between Crabtree, Raji, and Monroe, the Jaguars had no choice but to pick the OT from Virginia. The 6’ 5” 310lbs Tackle was just what the doctor ordered for the Jaguars who were decimated by injuries on the O-Line last year and had their starting LT Khalif Barnes leave to Oakland after a sub-par season in Jacksonville. The signing of Tra Thomas from Philadelphia weeks before the draft had some questioning this pick, but it really makes perfect sense. RT Tony Pashos has not lived up to expectations since joining the Jaguars two seasons ago and Monroe will likely challenge and over take Pashos for his job at RT. Pashos will provide very good depth at Tackle and Monroe can wait in the wings until Thomas either decides to hang it up or his contract expires. At that time, we transition perfectly to the Jaguars 2nd round pick, Eben Britton. Britton was another lineman that fell into the Jaguars lap. Many experts had him as a 1st round pick as high as 21 to the Eagles. When the time comes that Monroe moves over to LT we will probably see Britton getting his first playing time, barring injuries. With two young, talented tackles, the Jaguars line should be set for years to come.

The later rounds were where it got interesting for the Jaguars as they took 2 WRs, a RB, a CB, and a RB. DT Terrance Knighton was the first of two 3rd round picks that the Jaguars used this year. Knighton played DT at Temple University and was a standout in the Atlantic 10. Though somewhat of a reach, Knighton addressed a need that the Jaguars have had since trading Marcus Stroud before the draft last year. The second of the two 3rd round picks was CB Derek Cox from William & Mary. Cox was shooting up the draft board since his stunning combine, and scouts were trying to keep him on the down low so that he might fall to their pick. Cox, who ran a 4.40 on his pro day wowed scouts even more with his broad jump, as it ranked as one of the best recorded.

Later picks where the Jaguars finally addressed their need for WR included Jarett Dillard from Rice and Mike Thomas from University of Arizona. These two receivers were steals for the Jaguars late in the draft and have unlimited potential. Mike Thomas is the All-time Pac-10 reception leader and Dillard is the all-time NCAA TD record holder with 59 in his career.
All in all, a very good draft that should keep the Jaguars competitive for years to come.