Most people expect the Jacksonville Jaguars to select a
defensive lineman with the seventh overall pick but look for the Jaguars to
select Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd in the draft.
It’s funny that people are projecting the Jaguars to go with
a defensive player when defense wasn’t really the problem last season. As a
matter of fact their defense was pretty good, especially considering all of the
time they spent on the field because the offense couldn’t sustain drives.
The Jaguars were ranked sixth in total defense last season.
Their needs going into the draft are mostly on the offensive side of the ball.
Why else would they hire a former offensive coordinator as their
head coach? Management mentioned that developing quarterback Blaine Gabbert was
a top priority which is why they brought in the offensive coordinator responsible
for developing Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan.
But a quarterback can’t develop without weapons around him
which is the reason the Jaguars will draft Floyd. A dependable wide receiver is
a must for a young quarterback’s development.
And just look at some of the young quarterbacks who have had
success recently. We already mentioned Ryan but there’s also the Carolina
Panthers’ Cam Newton, Andy Dalton with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit
Lions’ Matthew Stafford.
Having Roddy White in Atlanta, Steve Smith in Charlotte, AJ
Green in Cincy and Calvin Johnson in Detroit were big boosts to those quarterbacks’
development. Jaguars’ head coach Mike Mularkey will be looking to incorporate
the same formula in Jacksonville.
Floyd isn’t considered the best wide receiver in this draft
but he will probably be the best receiver available when the Jaguars make their
pick. The wide receiver they covet is Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State but
he is expected to be selected no later than sixth by the St. Louis Rams.
And since the Jaguars weren’t able to secure a top notch
receiver through free agency, Floyd gives them their best option at this moment
to fill the position. That is unless the Rams decide to go in another direction
and let Blackmon fall to them.
Roosevelt Hall is an NFL Blogger for The Sport Mentalist and an NBA Blogger for The Sport Mentalist 2. He is also a Sports Reporter for Pro Sports Lives. He can be contacted at RHall_TPFB@Yahoo.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter @sportmentalist.
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