Jacksonville Jaguars' 2012 NFL Draft Analysis

1st Round (#5) WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

2nd Round (#38) DE Andre Branch, Clemson

Nfl 2012

3rd Round (#70) P Bryan Anger, Cal

5th Round (#142) OLB Brandon Marshall, Nevada

6th Round (#176) CB Mike Harris, Florida State

7th Round (#228) DT Jeris Pendleton, Ashland

Analysis of Notable Selections:

Justin Blackmon: The wide receiver position has been problematic for the Jags since Jimmy Smith retired. Jacksonville made the right move and traded up a little bit (from #7 to #5 overall) to draft Justin Blackmon. The two-time Biltenikoff Award winner provides Blaine Gabbert with a potential quality lead receiver. Blackmon is a physical receiver who excels at catching slants, fades and gaining yards after the catch. His wide catching radius makes him very quarterback friendly. The selection of Blackmon not only fills a major need at wide receiver, but gives Gabbert a better chance to succeed after a poor rookie season. Blackmon was recently arrested for DUI and this has to be a concern for Jacksonville. However, there is nothing in Blackmon's background to indicate that he will be another Charles Rogers. Blackmon has to mature more, but in the end he should deliver on his promise and provide the Jags with a playmaker at receiver.

Andre Branch: The lack of a pass rush has also dogged the Jaguars for several years. Branch had a strong senior season, but it took him awhile to deliver at Clemson. He has a good outside pass rush and plays hard, but Branch will have to add variety to his pass rush moves. Jacksonville needed pass rush help, but Andre Branch may be just an average defensive end in the NFL.

Bryan Anger: The former Cal punter has a big leg and probably was the best punter in college football. Field position is important, but Jacksonville won 5 games last year and have many positions that require an upgrade more than at punter. Jacksonville's offensive line and secondary are far from top-notch yet the Jaguars passed on a number of prospects for a punter.

2012 NFL Draft Grade: C+

Bottom Line: Jacksonville is a bad team that needed a big draft to help turn the franchise around. They only had six selections and even spent a premium draft choice (a high 3rd rounder) on a punter. Are the Jaguars confident that they will be punting a lot in the future and Anger will be well utilized? How about improving a terrible offense so the punter stays on the sideline far more often? The Jaguars came out of this draft with one likely quality starter (Blackmon) and a potentially decent pass rusher (Branch). That is not enough for a team with so many needs.

Jacksonville Jaguars' 2012 NFL Draft Analysis

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Jacksonville Jaguars Tear Into a New Season

Are the best years of the Jacksonville Jaguars behind us? The Jaguars were the talk of the NFL in the late 90s but in recent years these cats have fallen on hard times. When new coach Jack Del Rio came aboard however, things started to change slowly but surely. In 2006, the Jaguars finished with a record of 8-8, and one year later they peaked with an 11-5 season record and a trip to the playoffs. Could 2008 be the year that the Jacksonville Jaguars finally commands respect and makes a serious play for the championship?

There have been some notable transactions in the office thus far, including the trading of wide receiver Troy Williamson to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 6th round draft pick. The team also lost Ernest Wilford, Marcus Stroud, Bobby McCray and Sammy Knight. The team did receive a few extra draft picks as well as acquisitions like wide receiver in Jerry Porter of the Oakland Raiders, cornerback Drayton Florence of the San Diego Chargers and quarterback Cleo Lemon of the Miami Dolphins. However, Jacksonville fans were far more interested in the team's draft selection for 2008.

Super Bowl 2012

Some of the notable draft picks include defensive end Derrick Harvey, defensive end Quentin Groves, linebacker Thomas Williams, defensive back Trae Williams and running back Chauncey Washington. Harvey's draft pick was met with some hesitant response due to his size though his pass rushing ability is unquestioned. Groves recently had heart surgery but has been cleared to return at 100%, while Washington received some negative attention for his blocking abilities.

It's obvious to see that the Jaguars are beefing up their defense, which concerns some experts but actually strengthens the confidence of Jacksonville fans who remember that the Jaguar's offense in 2007 was exceptional. Fans and management credit Del Rio with the Jaguars' dramatic turn around-in fact he has already been extended to 2012! The Jaguars may be clawing their way to the Super Bowl soon enough and in 2008 they are surely one of the most important teams to watch.

David Garrard has definitely stepped into his roll as starting quarter back with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. With a tag-team duo of running backs in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew tearing down the field, their is plenty of hope for a post season. Although the Jacksonville receiving core lacks the luster of some of the established air shows, they are all talented enough to move the chains 10 yards at a time. There is no question that this team revolves around the strength of the running game. If their running duet can stay healthy, they will unleash a ground and pound attraction that will explode on the highlight reel week after week.

Jacksonville Jaguars Tear Into a New Season

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