In some respects one can’t help but admire the way the Jacksonville Jaguars go about their business on Draft Day. In 2008 the Jags identified a glaring need at defensive end and they used their first two picks on Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. This year they took a similar approach, investing their top two selections on offensive lineman before using not one, not two but three picks on wide receivers. The 2009 season will likely represent a major turning point for the Jacksonville organization and if they fail to live up to expectations again changes will be made, starting with Head Coach Jack Del Rio. Will this draft class help the Jags improve on their five win season of a year ago?

   Many of the Jaguars problems in 2008 can be traced back to their offensive line, which was ravaged by injuries and just generally ineffective. In fact, Jacksonville’s once potent rushing attack dropped all the way to the middle of the pack last year and only seven teams gave up more sacks. Being unable to run block or pass protect is not a recipe for success! Needless to say it came as no surprise when the Jaguars used the #8 overall pick on Virginia OT Eugene Monroe. The Virginia program is developing quite a reputation for sending left tackles to the NFL and Monroe will attempt to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Brandon Albert. A terrific athlete with all of the physical tools that you look for, Monroe isn’t a dominating run blocker but he excels in pass protection and that’s what they pay left tackles the big bucks for. Monroe has some durability concerns and past knee injuries led to him dropping a bit on Draft Day but assuming he can stay healthy and develop more of a killer instinct he has the talent to be a top left tackle in the NFL for a long time. Earlier in the offseason the Jaguars signed veteran Tra Thomas but he is almost 35-years-old and it’s just a matter of time until Monroe is inserted into the starting lineup. It appeared as though the Jaguars had shored up their offensive line in the first round but when Arizona OT Eben Britton dropped into their laps in round two they opted to go back to the well one more time. The consensus #5 offensive tackle available, most felt Britton would come off the board in the 20-32 range but short arms and questions about his ability to play left tackle at the next level scared some teams away. However, Britton has good size (6-6, 309), is very tough, possesses top-notch intangibles and his ability to excel in the run game makes him an ideal fit on the right side. As a rookie Britton will battle Tony Pashos for the starting right tackle job but there is also the possibility of moving him inside to guard. In a matter of hours the Jaguars turned their greatest weakness into a team strength and now they essentially have four starting-caliber tackles contending for two jobs. Still, last year the Jaguars learned the hard way that it’s better to have too many good blockers than not enough and their current situation will only breed competition, bringing out the best in all four players. Even though Monroe and Britton may not begin their rookie seasons in the starting lineup they should both end up there sooner rather than later and the Jaguars now have two critical positions secured for the foreseeable future.

   In an attempt to make up for their misguided trade of All-Pro Marcus Stroud last offseason the Jaguars used the first of their two third round picks on Temple DT Terrance Knighton. An impressive physical specimen (6-3, 321) and athlete, Knighton is still a bit raw but he is very active with a good motor and still has a lot of upside. As an added bonus Knighton could also see some action at defensive end as the Jaguars plan to implement some principles of the 3-4. Rob Meier was a major disappointment as he tried to replace Stroud last year, registering only two sacks, and top backup Derek Landri wasn’t any better so even though Knighton will most likely work in a backup / rotational capacity as a rookie the Jaguars are counting on him to make an instant impact. Later in round three the Jaguars stunned everyone with one of the biggest reaches of the entire draft when they chose William & Mary CB Derek Cox, who wasn’t even considered to be a draftable prospect by most. Cox put himself on the map with an impressive Pro Day workout, running a 4.4 forty at 6-1 and 189 pounds, which prompted the Jags to trade their second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to New England to acquire him. On a positive note Cox has reportedly impressed in minicamps and since the Jaguars don’t have much depth at cornerback he’ll have the opportunity to compete for significant playing time as a rookie. However, the NFL Draft isn’t just about who you take but where you take them so even if Cox turns out to be a good pro that still won’t change the fact that he could have been had much later.

   Jacksonville used their next two picks, in rounds four and five, to bolster their receiving corps. First up was Arizona WR Mike Thomas, who in many ways is quite similar to fellow Wildcat alum Bobby Wade. Thomas, the Pac-10’s all-time leader in career receptions, doesn’t have the ideal height you look for at just a shade under 5-8 but he is very fast (4.40), has a solid frame and plays bigger than he is. Next up was Rice WR Jarett Dillard, who owns the NCAA record for touchdown receptions and a host of other national, conference and school records for receiving and scoring. In fact, during his career with the Owls Dillard registered 292 receptions for 4,138 yards (14.2 avg.) and 60 touchdowns! When it comes to size and speed Dillard is pretty average but he is an excellent natural athlete, an outstanding leaper, catches everything in sight and his intangibles are first-rate. Jacksonville signed Torry Holt this offseason but after him they have nothing but question marks at the wide receiver position. Third-year man Mike Walker appears to be the favorite to start opposite Holt but Thomas and Dillard will compete with Troy Williamson for the #3 job and both profile as prototypical slot guys in the NFL.

   In round six the Jaguars tabbed Zach Miller out of Nebraska-Omaha, a college quarterback who they intend to convert to tight end. A very good athlete who actually began his college career with the Cornhuskers at Nebraska, Miller is obviously very raw and more of a developmental prospect but he will compete for a roster spot behind Marcedes Lewis. Jacksonville had two selections in round seven and they managed to land a couple of talented players. Liberty RB Rashad Jennings was expected to come off the board at some point in round three or four but for some inexplicable reason he lasted until pick #250. That’s just a half dozen picks away from going undrafted! Jennings lacks great timed speed (4.60) but he has a chiseled 6-1, 231 pound physique, runs hard and despite his small school roots is a big-time talent after beginning his career at Pittsburgh. With Fred Taylor now gone Maurice Jones-Drew will assume the full-time starting job in Jacksonville but there is little in the way of depth behind him. Jennings will compete with Chauncey Washington and Alvin Pearman for the primary backup job and he could turn out to be one of the steals of this draft. With their last pick the Jags went for one more wideout, this time grabbing Tiquan Underwood out of Rutgers. After an excellent junior campaign Underwood regressed a bit as a senior and saw his stock take a hit. Underwood is definitely on the thin side at just 184 pounds but he is 6-1, has legit 4.41 speed and could be a vertical threat for the Jags. Look for Underwood to compete for a roster spot but he will probably struggle to rise above #5 or #6 on the depth chart.

   If nothing else the Jaguars shouldn’t have to worry about their offensive line in 2009. However, after their initial two picks, which were very solid, the Jags made a number of questionable decisions. In particular Cox was a major reach and despite drafting three wideouts they failed to land a pass catcher who profiles as a long-term starter in the pros. Despite some unorthodox moves this class does have the potential to produce as many as three or four starters as well as a handful of other key contributors, which if it comes to fruition is really about all anyone can ask for.