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2009 NFL Draft Predictions: Jacksonville Jaguars

Written April 5, 2009 by Black Widow

jaguars-draft-needs It was certainly a season to forget in Jacksonville in 2008. The Jaguars began the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but stumbled to a 5-11 finish. The biggest downfall last offseason was the Jaguars’ belief that they were only a few players away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Eleven humbling losses later, they realize a more complete overhaul will be needed this offseason. But even a fortuitous Draft Day would not repair the fractured relationship between head coach Jack Del Rio and his players. That will only occur if the upcoming acquisitions translate into wins. Here are my opinions on the team’s top five needs heading into next year.

1.) Offensive Left Tackle – Of course Dwight Freeney is going to make most left tackles look marginal at best, but Khalif Barnes’ embarrassing showing against the Colts’ defensive end in Week 16 showed the nation what the Jags had believe all along, that the once-touted draftee was a bust. Jacksonville decided to trade up in the ‘08 draft to get DE Derrick Harvey, but had they not they certainly had their eye on Jeff Otah, who wound up turning into a standout rookie for the Panthers. Expect a more proactive approach to finding David Garrard’s blind-side protector this time around. Signing Tra Thomas might be the answer, but he’s 34 and has been in the league for 12 seasons. His time as a premier tackle in this league is nearing its end. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: OT Jason Smith (Baylor), OT Jose Valdez (Arkansas).

2.) Wide Receiver – Reggie Williams? Bust. Matt Jones? Bust. Jerry Porter? Bust. Troy Williamson? Bust. The Jaguars’ inability to find a No. 1 receiver since Jimmy Smith over the past few years hasn’t been due to a lack of trying. Former first-rounders Williams and Jones took turns flopping. Porter got his blockbuster deal in Jacksonville last year and proceeded to shut it down, and the speedy Williamson fared as badly as a Jaguar as he did when he was in Minnesota. In the offseason, Porter and Jones have been cut, furthering the need for help at receiver. The Jaguars are crossing their finger that Dennis Northcutt won’t have to be serving as their go-to receiver next season. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech), WR Mohamed Massaquoi (Georgia), WR Mike Wallace (Ole Miss). The Phin Phantics ran a poll that saw readers think Jeremy Maclin was the Jags best option in the first round. Vikings Gab agreed as Maclin was the first round pick given to the Jags in their mock draft as well.

3.) Running Back – The good news here is that the wound wad of energy known as Maurice Jones-Drew demonstrated the ability to thrive in the featured role last season. But Jacksonville certainly isn’t comfortable letting the ground game rise or will with him. Fred Taylor was cut, allowing him to go to New England to try and resurrect his career because he would not take a pay cut to stay a Jaguar. Second-year pro Chauncey Washington didn’t show much during his rookie season. The one positive here is with FB Greg Jones, who has the versatility to play running back when needed. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: RB Mike Goodson (Texas A&M).

4.) Defensive Tackle – The immovable object known as John Henderson for so many years is know longer immovable after suffering a barrage of injuries the last couple seasons. Even though he’s far from finished, he may never reclaim his dominant form. Marcus Stroud left for Buffalo last season, and the trio of Rob Meier, Tony McDaniel and Derek Landri have merely been serviceable in rounding out the DT rotation. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: DT Ricky Jean-Francois (LSU), DT Fili Moala (USC), DT Terrance Knighton (Temple). Windy City Gridiron has the Jags taking BJ Raji from BC in the first round.

5.) Strong Safety – In addition to Otah, S Tyrell Johnson was another player under consideration in Jacksonville in the second round. But he was snatched by the Vikings, and fortunately this is a position of much less concern heading into the draft partially because of Gerald Sensabaugh’s return to form. But this secondary routinely allowed game-breaking pass plays and cannot be left untouched. Most critically, the Jags need a physical presence to patrol the back end, given how ball hawking CB’s Rashean Mathis and Drayton Florence and FS Reggie Nelson would rather sell out for the interception than deliver a punishing body blow. Florence has been cut this offseason, leaving another void in the secondary. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: CB Coye Francies (SJSU), CB DeAngelo Smith (Cincinnati), SS Kevin Ellison (USC).

A lot of people are ready to give up on David Garrard. Mile High Report has Matthew Stafford going to the Jags in the first round, which I’m sure they would love. Big Cat Country even has Jacksonville predicted to take Mark Sanchez. I think I would address other holes first, but if you can get a premiere quarterback it’s tough to pass up.

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