2011 NFL draft in review: Jacksonville Jaguars
For the first time since selecting QB David Garrard the Jacksonville Jaguars actually drafted a QB. Jaguars General Manger Gene Smith is known for making bold moves, and this certainly was a bold one. While I personally did not have QB among their primary needs, there are a lot of draft publications that did.
With that being said it has been seven years since the Jaguars drafted a QB and that is far too long. I am not a big Blaine Gabbert fan, and I do not think he will come in and take away the starting job fro Garrard. However, having a guy on the roster and with the team is a great way to develop the starter of tomorrow. I really think that is what is going on here.
All the Jaguars gave to get the best overall QB prospect in this draft (according to The Sporting News) was the 49rg overall pick in the second round. If Gabbert develops into a star one day we will be talking about this for a very long time.
Since they traded away their second round pick their next pick came at 76th overall in the third round, and they took offensive lineman William Rackley. He is sort of an off the radar pick from Lehigh, but He was a four year starter with a wide thick build. He should make a contribution as a backup sooner rather than later.
While the Jaguars likely will not see much immediate impact from this draft, they may have set themselves up very nicely long term. However, only time will tell on that one. With that being said let us take a look at the initial grades for the 2011 Jaguars draft class:
- Round One- B, a pretty good prospect that likely needs time to develop
- Round Three- B, a solid prospect to be a backup in year one
- Need- C, they waited until later in the draft to address a shaky secondary
- Talent- B+, overall pretty good but they will lack initial impact
- Average- B-
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