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Jags Get Defensive in Draft

@ April 27, 2008 4:29 PM Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After focusing on offense in free agency, the Jaguars turned their attention to the defensive side of the ball in the draft. In each of their first four picks, the Jaguars took defensive players, including first round pick Derrick Harvey and second round selection Quentin Groves.

Jack Del Rio said that the draft offered more opportunities on defense, and as it turned out, it complimented what the Jaguars did in free agency on offense.

"If you look at our signings this off-season, you have to add it all in," Del Rio said. "To re-sign Mo Williams...we extended Richard Collier...we were able to re-sign David Garrard and sign Cleo Lemon, so our quarterback position was set. At wide receiver, we lost Ernest [Wilford], but were able to sign [Jerry] Porter and Greg Jones was re-signed. We feel like offensively, we have a good group."

On day two of the draft the Jaguars added two Williamses in the fifth round, USC linebacker and special teams captain Thomas Williams and South Florida cornerback Trae Williams.

With their final pick, the Jaguars chose a second USC Trojan, taking running back Chauncey Washington.

More draft thoughts...

The Jaguars made a bold move, trading up to the 8th pick of the draft to take Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey, then in the second, they traded up again to take Auburn defensive end/outside linebacker Quentin Groves.

When the day began, the Jaguars held eight draft picks. By the time the first two rounds ended, they had traded away six picks, to get two players Harvey and Groves, and had addressed one of their two stated needs in the draft, finding a pair of pass rushers.

So did the Jaguars the moves that could make them a Super Bowl team? Only time will tell, but the moves up to get Harvey and Groves could wind up being the kind of moves that could make this day a momentous one in Jaguars history.

This could be the day the Jaguars found the players who could pressure Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and give them the edge that they need to win the AFC South for the first time and earn home games in the playoffs.

Then again, this could be the day that digs the Jaguars into a hole for the future. They have just two fifth round picks remaining on day two. Unless they trade for more picks, the Jaguars will add just four drafted players. Even they all make the team, that could come back to bite them down the road. And if Harvey and Groves don't live up to their billing, it doesn't give the Jaguars much to fall back on with this draft.

Clearly, there is tremendous pressure on those two SEC pass rushers to make this draft a positive one. One way or another, I think we'll be looking back at this draft in five years as one of the most significant in Jaguars history.