Jacksonville Jaguars: Biggest 2015 NFL Draft Need
By Erik Lambert
Sep 20, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive linesman Cedric Ogbuehi (70) looks to block Southern Methodist Mustangs linebacker Robert Seals (30) at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Texas A&M beat Southern Methodist 58-6. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
At 0-6 there is no question the Jacksonville Jaguars roster isn’t where it needs to be. So what are they likeliest to target in the 2015 NFL draft?
Protecting Blake Bortles is top priority
Gus Bradley is a defensive head coach so one would think improving his woeful defense would take presedence for him, but the fact is he and the Jaguars just made an enormous investment in quarterback Blake Bortles. He is their future and isn’t being protected properly. Collectively, Jacksonville quarterbacks have been sacked 27 times this year, five more than the next closest team. That is really bad and it represents the primary reason the team can’t score or move the ball consistently. They need better blocking.
Best Answer To Problem: Cedric Ogbuehi – Texas A&M
It’s important to remember the Jacksonville Jaguars already made a significant investment at tackle back in 2012 when they took Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M. They need to give him more time to develop. What they can do is improve the right tackle position. A great addition would be Cedric Ogbuehi of Texas A&M. The kid has played both left and right tackle in college, so he can be plugged in wherever needed.
“The Aggies have seen their starting left tackles selected within the top six picks of the NFL draft each of the past two years, and Ogbuehi is the next prospect in line at the position. He is moving over from right tackle, where he played last season, and has fared well so far. He is excellent in pass protection with outstanding quickness and natural athleticism, and shows very good mobility as a zone blocker in the running game. He needs to improve his lower-body strength and leverage after initial contact, but overall he is very good as a run-blocker as well. He rates very well in terms of toughness and character.”
People may be skeptical of going into the same well twice considering the limited return on Joeckel thus far, but Ogbuehi has every tool required to become an effective starter for a decade. That is what the 2015 NFL draft must be about for Jacksonville.