2012 NFL Mock Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars 7 Round Mock
The Jacksonville Jaguars moved up in the 2011 N.F.L. draft to select Quarterback Blaine Gabbert, despite Gabbert’s struggles this year with the Jaguars extending G.M. Gene Smith it looks like Gabbert will remain the quarterback next year. Had the Jaguars fired both Del Rio and Smith people could make a case that the Jaguars would look quarterback early in the draft, but I don’t think they will.
The Jaguars are losing a lot of games and are likely a top five selection, I believe they gave up picks (1st rounder and second rounder) last year but have all of their picks this year.The Jaguars are kind of tough for me to figure out what they are going to do so this is probably (a more) futile exercise (than usual). Also making this mock even more difficult is the fact that the Jaguars are currently without a head coach for next year, and when they hire a new coach it which will surely impact how they approach the draft. The last problem I have here is that I don’t watch the Jaguars nearly as much as I should, which is why I’m awaiting your critiques Jaguars fans…I don’t feel confident in this mock at all.
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1st round: Morris Claiborne CB LSU Tigers
I get it the Jagaurs need a weapon for Blaine Gabbert yadda yadda yadda. I’m not yet convinced that Justin Blackmon is worth a top five pick and Alshon Jefferey production this year is going to cost him I think. I love Michael Floyd, but his character concerns will keep him out of the top 10 as well. Claiborne has arguably been better than Patrick Peterson was last year (not saying he’s more talented than Peterson) and the cornerback position is at a premium in today’s N.F.L. The Jaguars don’t have talented young cornerbacks either. I get the idea of drafting Justin Blackmon here and it’s definitely probable I just don’t think in my heart of hearts it’s the right pick for the Jaguars, even if everyone else in the world does.
2nd Round: Mohamed Sanu, WR ,Rutgers
I’m a fan of the versatile Wide receiver out of Rutgers and think he’s good value here at the top of round two. Sanu is a Percy Harvin type of player for Rutgers, but he’s bigger and can develop into a number one more than Harvin can in my opinion. Sanu is dynamite with the ball in his hands and could help take some short passes from Gabbert far down the field. He’s not Alshon Jefferey, but I think going Claiborne/Sanu is better for the Jaguars than going Blackmon/Hosley or someone of that ilk.
3rd Round: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Back to back Wide receivers? There’s precedence for this. Gene Smith took Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton in back to back rounds a few years ago. Hill is a compliment to Sanu because Hill is a massive target who can make plays down the field. I wasn’t a huge fan of Gabbert heading into the draft, but think he is good upside. He needs weapons though, guys who can make plays when they have players all over them which is where Hill comes in. Perhaps Gabbert can gel with Sanu and Hill and last year’s pick Cecil Shorts to get in a groove.
4th Round Craig Roh Michigan Wolverines
Roh’s a player I like a lot, but a player I think will likely return for his senior season. Roh can play the run and pass well and while his numbers don’t show dominating performances he’s better than his numbers. Now I’ve made four picks with players from big time school so that’s probably not going to happen, we’re talking about the Jaguars after all.The Jaguars still need someone to generate a more consistent pass rush. Jeremy Mincey leads the Defensive linemen with four sacks. That’s not good enough.
5th Round: Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State
This seems like a Jaguars kind of pick. Wagner is a productive senior linebacker for a “smaller” school. Wagner is instinctive and makes a lot of plays all over the football field in all phases of the game. The Jagaurs could use some more linebacker depth in my opinion.
6th round: Matt Mcants T UAB
A really good looking but raw tackle prospect. Mcant is 6’7 and athletic. Mcants is very experienced tackle prospect. I thin it’s likely that during the predraft process Mcant will see his stock soar higher than the 6th round.
7th round: Jeff Demps Running back Florida
Just trying to give the Jaguars some more speed on offense here. Running back is a strength on the Jaguars team, but when you get into the 7th round the important thing is to draft players you think can play in the league and Demps has the kind of speed that could make him a viable N.F.L. player. I also think they should consider adding another cornerback here.
Help me out Jaguars fans, let me know where I went astray.
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