Free Agency Priorities

Cornerback

They ranked 32nd against the pass in terms of YPA last year, but they still refuse to spend premium picks on cornerbacks. Hopefully they can find a starting cornerback in free agency. 

Defensive End

It’s tough to blame their pass defense problems all on the secondary. They managed just 26 sacks last year. They spent big money on Aaron Kampman last year, but they can’t count on him to stay healthy anymore. They should try to sign another end through free agency. 

Safety

Can’t just blame the cornerbacks in the secondary, they need two new starters at safety and I don’t think Chris Prosinski is anything other than a special teamer and a depth safety. 

Outside Linebacker

Justin Durant is injury prone and a free agent. They may resign him or they may look to sign a different veteran at the position. 

Middle Linebacker

They could resign Kirk Morrison who has expressed interest in returning, but if they don’t, they’ll have to find a different middle linebacker through free agency. 

Wide Receiver 

Is Cecil Shorts going to start opposite Mike Thomas? That just doesn’t sound like a good idea. They won’t resign Mike Sims Walker, but maybe they can find a different wide receiver in free agency. They at least need depth.

Draft Needs 

Cornerback

This team ranked dead last in the league against the pass in terms of YPA. In 2009, they ranked 27^th. they’ve held three quarterbacks under 50% completion since late 2007, JaMarcus Russell, Kerry Collins, and Rex Grossman. Derek Cox needs to move to nickel corner and Rashean Mathis will be a free agent after next season.

Drafted Rod Isaac (#147) 

Safety

You can’t just blame the corners when you’re that bad against the pass. The Jaguars need one, if not two upgrades at safety.

Drafted Chris Prosinski (#121) 

Defensive End

Sticking with the pass defense, the Jaguars only managed 26 sacks this season after only managing 14 sacks in 2009. That’s a big reason why they can’t stop the pass. They can’t create pressure. Aaron Kampman was brought in to be their #1 end, but suffered a season ending injury for the second straight year, another ACL tear. He can’t be counted on in the future.

Outside Linebacker

Justin Durant is inconsistent and a free agent. They might look at a replacement for him in the draft or through free agency.

Wide Receiver

Mike Sims Walker is inconsistent and a free agent. Even if he’s brought back, their depth is fairly lacking.

Drafted Cecil Shorts (#114) 

Offensive Tackle

The tackle combination of Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton has led to the Jaguars allowing 82 sacks in the last two years, despite being a run first team. They’re still young so they have time, but if one busts, they should have someone wanting in the wings. Their depth is abysmal.

Guard

Interior line depth is needed.

Drafted Will Rackley (#76) 

Center

A better backup for the oft injured soon to be 34 year old Brad Meester is needed.

() FA Rank 

QB Luke McCown- resigned 1 year

QB Todd Bouman

QB Trent Edwards

WR Mike Sims Walker

WR Jason Hill- resigned 2 years

TE Marcedes Lewis (#50)- franchised

The former 1^st round pick finally broke out in 2010, with 57 passes for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s a mauling run blocker and a big target, but has a history of complacency and might have just played well this season because he smelled the money. 

TE Zach Potter

OT Jordan Black

DT Leger Douzable

OLB Justin Durant

OLB Bryan Smith

MLB Kirk Morrison

CB William Middleton (exclusive rights)

CB David Jones- resigned

S Courtney Greene (exclusive rights)

S Sean Considine

S Tyron Brackenridge- resigned

P Adam Podlesh

Offseason moves:

Resigned Jason Hill

Resigned David Jones

Resigned Tyron Brackenridge

Resigned Luke McCown

Franchised Marcedes Lewis

Cut Jordan Black

Draft 

DT Michael Brockers (LSU)

DT Ronnie Cameron (Old Dominion)

WR Toney Clemons (Colorado)

DE Tyrone Crawford (Boise State)

OLB Ryan Davis (Bethune-Cookman)

S Chad Faulcon (Montclair State)

G Gino Gradkowski (Delaware)

CB Chris Greenwood (Albion)

WR TY Hilton (Florida International)

CB Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech)

DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse)

CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama)

G Ronald Leary (Memphis)

DE Nick Perry (USC)

TE Adrien Robinson (Cincinnati)

CB Keith Tandy (West Virginia)

TE Matt Veldman (North Dakota State)

OLB Tahir Whitehead (Temple)

10. QB Blaine Gabbert C

David Garrard turned 33 this offseason and he’s always just been a marginal player so there is a need for a franchise quarterback in town. I just don’t think, in this weak quarterback class, this was the year to do it. They would have been much better off not trading up, taking Kerrigan at 16 to fix their pass rush, keeping their 2^nd round pick, and trying to get a successor for Garrard next year. Gabbert had a 2^nd round grade in my book so this is a reach. However, I do like that Gabbert has a chance to sit behind Garrard, which will help his development long term, but at the same time, this is a veteran team that needs to be building for now and this is just giving mixed signals. I have mixed feelings on this one.

76. G Will Rackley C-

I never bought into the Rackley hype, so while some will see this as a steal in the 3^rd, I see it as a reach and Rackley doesn’t fill a major need either.

114. WR Cecil Shorts B-

Shorts fills a need at wide receiver as they have nothing behind Mike Thomas, but I think Shorts was a minor reach in the 4^th as I had a 5^th or 6^th round grade on him.

121. S Chris Prosinski C

I understand why they drafted Prosinski. Gene Smith likes strong motor, small school kids and he does fill a need giving them safety depth and special teams play, but they really needed to get a starter at safety through the draft and there were much better safeties available.

147. CB Rod Isaac D

Who? I was familiar with about 450 draft prospects to build my top 300, but I’ve never heard of this guy. He may turn out to be good and make me look stupid, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take. The only reason this doesn’t get an F is because it fills their biggest need, cornerback.

Overall:

The Jaguars main need coming into the draft should have been to fix their pass defense. They ranked 32^nd against the pass last year. They needed defensive end help, cornerback help, and safety help. They didn’t draft a single defensive end and in the secondary, they waited until late to reach for players to fill needs there. They also only had 5 picks because they traded up to get Blaine Gabbert. Quarterback wasn’t a huge need for them and this is a terrible quarterback class so it would have been best for them to wait until next year to get their guy. The only reason this isn’t a D or an F is because I could see Gabbert becoming a franchise guy 2 years down the road after sitting and maturing behind Garrard.

Grade: C-

2010 Record: 8-8

Draft Position: 16

2010 Season Recap: Click Here

Offseason Needs: Click Here

Free Agents/Team Transactions: Click Here

Draft Grades: Click Here

Key Offseason Moves: None

Running Back

Oregon State

5-7 193

40 time (projected): 4.35

Draft board overall prospect rank: #85

Draft board running back rank: #6

Overall rating: 71 (Mid 3rd)

7/20/10: Jacquizz Rodgers is a smaller running back, at 193 pounds, and because of the lack of elite running backs in the NFL that weigh less than 200 pounds, that may look like cause for concern for some people. I don’t really see it that way. Rodgers is also 5-7 so 193 is actually fairly bulky and as we’ve seen with running backs like Ray Rice, Danny Woodhead, and Maurice Jones Drew, lack of height doesn’t really hurt you as a running back in the NFL.

In fact, in the case of Rodgers, Woodhead, Rice, and MJD, their short stocky stature helps them both be elusive and break tackles. Ray Rice measured in at 5-8 199 at his combine, Woodhead is listed at 5-8 193, and Maurice Jones Drew at 5-7 208 so I’m not too concerned with Rodgers’ size.

He is a good in between the tackles runner, with his elusiveness and his decent bulk, in addition to an explosive outside the tackles runner. He has legitimate 4.3 speed and can break a big gain at any time. Take a look at his numbers for yourself and you’ll see that this is someone who can get the job done, at least at the college level.

As a sophomore 2 years ago, he actually probably should have been a Heisman candidate. With 1440 yards rushing, 21 rushing touchdowns, along with 522 yards receiving and a receiving touchdowns, this guy was simply an explosive playmaker. As a freshman he had 1500 total yards and 12 total touchdowns. He has the potential to be this type of explosive playmaker once he’s in the NFL as well.

His numbers took a hit junior year and he fell into the pack of 3rd round backs in this class, with 1471 total yards and 17 total touchdowns. However, I still have him as a 3rd round prospect. He’s a great pass catcher and as I’ve said before, any time you put the ball in his hands, something amazing could happen. 

NFL Comparison: Danny Woodhead

Wide Receiver

Clemson

5-9 186

40 time: 4.28

Draft board overall prospect rank: #119

Draft board wide receiver rank: #14

Overall rating: 65*

            3/23/10: When Jacoby Ford ran the fastest 40 time at the Combine this year, 4.28, naturally, everyone took notice. Possibly what’s more impressive is his amazing 10 yard split time, showing how quickly he can get off the line and into his route. However, aside from speed, he doesn’t bring a ton to the table. However, there are players in the NFL right now that don’t bring a ton to the table except speed and still have a role. Ford is not an overly dominant wide receiver. Back to back 50+ catches seasons is decent, but nothing amazing. If he gets drafted in the first 3 rounds, very likely, it will be for what he can do with the ball in his hands, rather than his elite hands or route running. He is an explosive kick returner, as would be expected with his speed, and he has had some success running the football on end arounds. He has amazing agility and quickness for a receiver and can break a play in the open field and gets a lot of YAC. He really lacks size and almost every cornerback in the NFL is going to be able to muscle him around and get above him for the football and when you combine that with his average hands, he is not going to be the most reliable target to throw to when tightly covered. He may struggle with getting out of the jam at the line of scrimmage in the NFL. In the end, Ford should get drafted in the late 3^rd or early 4^th round range, which is very reasonable for him. He’s not going to be an amazing elite receiver, but I could definitely see him as a versatile slot guy who can help in special teams.

NFL Comparison: Deon Butler

*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here

The Broncos also signed Joel Dressen earlier in the day, but there are no contract details for that one yet. Tamme obviously has chemistry with Peyton Manning. The duo combined for 67 catches for 631 yards and 4 touchdowns in 10 games in 2010 with Dallas Clark out. He’s not much of a blocker, but that’s what Dressen is for and the Broncos are getting him at a reasonable rate, 3 years, 9 million with 3.5 million guaranteed.

My only question is why did the Broncos pick Tamme over Clark? Clark is someone who Manning has more experience with. Clark is older and really struggled last year without Manning, but so did Tamme. With Tamme and Dressen in town, I don’t see room for Clark, but I’m sure there’s some sort of explanation behind it.

Grade: B

By Anthony Brown

Dear Santa,

I have been a good fan and an ok blogger all year long. Please may I have a win on Sunday?  And please, please Santa, give me two more years of LB London Fletcher playing at a high level.

The Washington Redskins stagger through the remainder of their season with everyone on the team but Donovan McNabb auditioning for a spot on next year’s roster. Santa’s sleigh brings them to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars. Santa has a few gifts for Washington, too.

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, AKA Pocket Hercules, is listed as Doubtful for the game after missing practice this week. Years of fantasy football taught me that “Doubtful” stud players are 50-50 to show up in games, especially when the playoffs are on the line. Jacksonville blew its shot to lock up the AFC South with its loss in Indianapolis last week. They are desperate to win out. If Jones-Drew can crawl, he will make some appearance Sunday.

An impaired Jones-Drew is easier to stop. That’s a gift to the Redskins defense that declared LB Brian Orakpo and S Reed Doughty OUT for the game and that placed DE Phillip Daniels and nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu in injured reserve. Anthony Bryant might be a step-up from Kemoeatu. Fan favorite Daniels, the strongest man on the team, had already dropped to second on the depth chart. 

A healthy Jones-Drew would have allowed Jacksonville to apply its greatest strength to Washington’s greatest weakness–run defense. If Jones-Drew is out, the injury fall-off is much steeper for the Jaguars than for the Redskins.

Rex Grossman continues to make his case as starting quarterback. He looked good for half the game against the Dallas Cowboys. Fans loved the 30 point output and the sustained drives. We know in the end that Grossman is still Grossman. Counting his appearance against the Lions, Grossman has four turnovers, counting fumbles lost, that led to three touchdowns for the other guys. That’s not sustainable over a 16 game season. 

Grossman’s play does give us the chance to assess Kyle Shanahan’s offense. We see that it can work. Grossman is a wrinkle to throw at Jacksonville who may not have game-planned him well enough. All that comes at the price of high drama. We thought we were rid of all that when the Redskins dismissed Vinny Cerrato. (Sigh.)

As with the Cowboys last week and the Giants next week, you have to favor the Jaguars over the Redskins. The wrinkles in this contest narrow the odds in Washington’s favor. Look for the ‘Skins to make this contest closer than the seven point advantage assigned to the Jags.     

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