By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
And with the fifth pick of the NFL draft, the Jaguars select…..
Who will it be..and can anyone really be certain? We do know it will be a pivotal one.
It certainly isn’t a pure science, but we should have a better feeling Wednesday night into Thursday morning before the draft Thursday evening. The best draft experts don’t have all the answers. Don’t believe everything you read. (except here, of course).
Unlike other drafts, there is more uncertainty with this one.
For quite some time, the consensus pick was Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, who was seen as fortifying and solidifying the Jags’ defensive line. There’s also been plenty of talk about Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Colorado two-way player and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Warren appears to be a more likely selection of the above two mentioned, as Hunter isn’t expected to last that long.
As we enter into the final cycle, it appears that Tennessee will take Miami quarterback Cam Ward, as the Titans don;t have a clear-cut choice at quarterback.
From there, it is still wide open.
From all indications, Shedur Sanders’s tock has dropped, and he could drop as low an eight or nine after being anticipated headed to the Browns or the Giants. Hunter and Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter could easily slide into the number two or three spot, as both teams need help on that front.
New England, which has been very active under new head coach, should land LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell, or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Both would help there.
So..that brings us back to the Jaguars.
This will be a pivotal draft due to the new trifecta of Tony Boselli, James Gladstone, and Liam Coen. Everyone is waiting to see how they will lean, and what do they see as the team’s main needs.
The Jags do have some holes to fill, and the pick will need to be a winner.
If he’s still there, the 5-9, 216-pound Jeanty has been trending high. He’s viewed along the same lines as another Fred Taylor or Maurice Jones -Drew for the Jags, who are looking for a consistent 20-plus carry grinder.
Travis Etienne initially was seen as the answer, but his stock had dropped. Etienne reportedly is on the trading block, and he could be dealt this week. Jeanty is only a bit bigger than Etienne, but his 2,600-plus yards and 24 touchdowns this past season make him more attractive.
Jeanty and Brian Thomas Jr. can be a young, offensive dynamic duo that mercurially lift them back int0 a contender role.
Aside from Jeanty, Arizona wide receiver Tetaiora McMillan and Missouri wideout Luther Burden are two other options. Either one could pair with Thomas Jr. to form another terrific tandem.
Either Graham, Hunter, Carter, Campbell, or Jeanty should be there when the Jags pick number five Thursday night.
It will be the first draft for the Jags’ new front office trio, and it should be a memorable one.
Who will it be? We’ll find out Thursday night.
