The Jaguars new general manager calls the NFL draft the "Super Bowl of Scouting."

Smith has been with the Jaguars organization since the beginning and he has risen up the ranks to the position he now holds. In the past few years, he's been a voice in the conversation, but hasn't had the final say. Now he does.

"This weekend is everything we're all about as scouts," Smith said. "We have some outstanding people here who have been put in positions to play to their strengths. We hope that a guy we covet is there or a player slides to us that we don't anticipate."

Smith has been credited with many of the Jaguars successes in the later rounds in past years. The past six year, the Jaguars have found Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashean Mathis, Greg Jones and Darryl Smith in the second round and players like Clint Ingram (3rd round), Ernest Wilford (4th round),

Another aspect of Smith's leadership style is the increased reliance on the opinion of the scout.

"It's been a great experience this spring," said head coach Jack Del Rio. "[Gene] really leans on the scouts and the work they've done. The scouts really know these players. Our scouts have been out there for four years, they've seen these guys numerous times. With Gene, I think you're going to see us lean more on the scout's grade."

There are three main criteria that the Jaguars will look for in a draft prospect: playing ability, injuries, character.

Character, of course, is high on the list because the lack of it contributed to the Jaguars struggles in 2007. That being said, Smith is looking for the kind of players that have character and ability.

"There are some players at the top end that we do like a lot," Smith said. "Some years, you have more luck than others. The harder you work, the luckier you get and we're hoping this year to have a little luck."

Smith believes in the "Best Available Player" approach in the draft. But just how good will that player be at #8?

"We feel very comfortable that there will be a player there at eight that we'll feel very good about," said Smith.