2019 NFL Draft: First-round re-draft where Patriots and Steelers grab QBs
Pick Analysis. Florida. 7. 52. Scouting Report. Offensive Tackle. Jawaan Taylor. player
Original pick: Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
The first loser in this redraft are the Jacksonville Jaguars who no longer have their original pick on the board here at seven. Josh Allen was a favorite by many to go even a bit higher in the original 2019 NFL Draft, so his availability at seven was a bit of a steal for the Jags in the first place. And Allen’s rookie campaign vaulted him up even higher in the redraft, leading Jacksonville to look in a different direction.
Having secured Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles to a pretty rich contract, the Jags seemed to be all in on getting things turned back around quickly and trying to make a run with the solid defense and steady run game that they had remaining from their recent deep playoff run just a couple seasons ago. But boy, it sure didn’t work out that way.
Nick Foles quickly suffered an injury, late-round quarterback Gardner Minshew came in and was very impressive for a stretch, but ultimately the team still could not find the consistent quarterback play that they have been lacking for some years now.
So naturally, the quarterback position was given an early look here. But as I stated a moment ago, this quarterback class is certainly not the best. So taking a look back on the 2019 season, I decided to lock up a guy that many (including myself) projected to Jacksonville at this spot early and often in mocks leading up the 2019 NFL Draft. The best tackle prospect, Jawaan Taylor.
Taylor proved that whatever reason teams had to pass on him until the second round was bogus. Injury concerns? Off the field concerns? Nothing stopped Taylor from seeing the field early and often for the Jags as a rookie. He started from day one at right tackle and played every single offensive snap for his squad in 2019.
Taylor played very well all season. He very well could be settled into his home on the right side of the line, or Jacksonville could opt to make him their franchise left tackle to protect the blindside of whoever is playing quarterback for them in 2020.
It’s a real bummer for Jacksonville that they not only miss out on their first pick in this redraft but now they can’t even get their second-rounder in the same slot. Taylor showed why he was regarded as the top tackle prospect going into the draft and as a potential cornerstone for the franchise, is worthy of the pick here at seven.