While it’s very unlikely that the Jacksonville Jaguars will make all 12 of their 2020 draft selections, general manager Dave Caldwell will enter next week’s event with a mindset to hit on every selection made.
“This is the most draft capital we’ve had here,” Caldwell said to the media Thursday. “We need to hit on all 12; that’s our philosophy.”
Caldwell’s mindset isn’t shocking because he understands he has to put together a decent season while having a lot of holes on the Jags’ roster. While owner Shad Khan didn’t necessarily say Caldwell had to produce a playoff season, he did say 2019 was unacceptable and that he made his dissatisfaction clear. Basically, what this all means is the Jags are going to need a productive 2020 class just as they had in 2019.
While it’s very unlikely that the Jags will make all 12 selections, Caldwell needs to keep as many of them as possible and make them count. If he does, he can put a solid nucleus in place for the Jaguars and maybe hit around the .500 mark (or better) in the regular season.
On offense, the Jags could use some offensive line help although they seem fine with their starting unit. Adding an offensive tackle or guard early would certainly make the unit even stronger. They also could use a dance partner for D.J. Chark at receiver and another tight end because the group they have bring injury concerns.
On defense, they need a starting cornerback for sure after trading both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. They could also use a space-eater at defensive tackle and potentially a pass-rusher with Yannick Ngakoue likely to not play for them. Additionally, upgrades could be made at safety and depth at linebacker is a concern, too.
If the Jags maneuver in the draft, history says it will be in the second through seventh rounds. However, they are in a weird spot with the No. 9 overall pick and that could lead to them trading up for a player like Jeff Okudah, or trading back if their top guys are taken by the time they select.
“It really depends on the player or players who are there when you’re about ready to pick,” Caldwell said about maneuvering in the draft. “If a certain player falls to you, you’re going to exercise that pick regardless and it’s kind of a no-trade player. But if we’re sitting there at nine or 20 and we do like four or five different players and they’re still on the board … well, yeah, then that gives you an option to trade back.
“Conversely, if you’re sitting there at nine or 20 and there’s only one guy left and you’re at Pick No. 5, then you may have to use some of that ammo to go up and get the guy you want. I think you have to see what’s happening in front of you and when you get to your pick, who is there for you to trade back for.”
What may be more likely is the team moving up in the second and third rounds as they’ve done the past few years. They traded up in the second tackle Jawaan Taylor just last year and several others like Cam Robinson and Myles Jack before that. They also traded up to the back of the third last year to acquire linebacker Quincy Williams. That said, don’t be shocked if the trend continues next week.
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