2011 Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Needs
Written by Steve Janus
The Jacksonville Jaguars finished second in the AFC South at 8-8. While it was the Jaguars best finish since going 11-5 in 2007, it was a disappointing result considering they were 8-5 with just three games left. For the Jaguars to win the division in 2011, they have to get better on defense and improve a passing game that ranked 27th in the league.
In 2010 the Jaguars used their first round pick on defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, and he ended up starting every game. Jacksonville used their third round pick on defensive tackle D’Anthony Smith, but his season was ended in training camp with a Achilles injury. Defensive ends Larry Hart and Austen Lane both contributed, but neither appears to be more than a backup at this point.
The Jaguars have seven picks in the 2011 draft, including two in the fourth round. They will be on the clock with the No. 16 pick in the first round, and it appears safe to say they will be taking a defensive player. Here is a look at the five positions I feel the Jaguars need to address to improve in 2011. Find out who we have the Jaguars taking in the first round in our 2011 NFL Mock draft.
Defensive End: In 2008 the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Derrick Harvey in the first round and Quentin Groves in the second round in hopes to solidify this position for years to come, but neither looks like they will be a starter at the NFL level. They added Aaron Kampman in free agency last offseason, but his season was cut short with a knee injury. Look for the Jaguars to go after Ryan Kerrigan out of Purdue or Cameron Jordan out of California.
Safety: The Jaguars secondary hasn’t been good at all over the last two seasons. Don Carey and Courtney Greene were the starters at safety at the end of the 2010 season. They need to find a playmaker at this position to improve their defense, but the 2011 draft class really doesn’t feature a lot of talent at this position. If UCLA’s Rahim Moore doesn’t fall to them in round two, they could take a shot on someone like Jaiquawn Jarrett out of Temple in the third round.
Wide Receiver: The Jaguars have a couple of solid young receivers in Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas, but could use another threat in the passing game to take some of the pressure off Maurice Jones-Drew and the running game. They could target Greg Little in the third, or use one of their two fourth round picks on someone like Vincent Brown out of San Diego State.
Corner: The problems with the pass defense isn’t just at the safety position. The Jaguars could end up having a solid starter in Derek Cox before it is all said and done, but Rashean Mathis is on the decline. Ras-I Dowling out of Virginia will likely be an option in the second round.
Quarterback: David Garrard is still the starter for the Jaguars, but it’s time for this team to start thinking about the future. If Florida State’s Christian Ponder or Arkansas’ Ryan Mallet falls to them in the second round, I think they have to pull the trigger.
Individual NFL Team Mock Drafts
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