Welcome back, boys and girls. This is the third installment of the Jacksonville Jaguars 2018 NFL Draft.
Today, we give another seven-round draft a shot. I did not make a change at the top of my draft board, but I did shuffle the cards a bit on finding players who add depth to a solid roster and could turn a few heads. This is a draft that concentrates on depth as well as productivity.
So, let’s get to it. Here is the Jacksonville Jaguars draft class, 3.0.
Round 1, Pick 29 – Hayden Hurst, Tight End, South Carolina
I am not wavering here. The Jacksonville Jaguars still need help with the tight end position. The team signed Austin Sefarian-Jenkins in the offseason, but he has averaged a meager seven yards a catch in his career. Hurst can do something the other Jaguars tight ends haven’t done a good job of – block and catch the football. He is a little bit older, having played baseball as well as football in his career. He is also a hometown kid, having played high school football at The Bolles School.
Round 2, Pick 61 – Connor Williams, Tackle, Texas
There is a belief the miscue Williams had at the NFL Combine is just an aberration and Williams will be a solid swing tackle in the NFL. The Jaguars grabbed Andrew Norwell to help at left guard in free agency. Williams could be groomed to eventually replace Jermey Parnell after the 2018 season. He is a beast at 6’foot-5 and 320 pounds and could possibly add weight to his frame. Some NFL scouts and media compare him to Jake Matthews of the Atlanta Falcons. He can still come in and contribute as a backup in his rookie season.
Round 3, Pick 93 – Oren Burks, Linebacker, Vanderbilt
Burks could be a steal for the Jacksonville Jaguars, much like Telvin Smith was a real find in 2014. At 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, he has nice speed and acceleration. The Jacksonville Jaguars will look for someone to fill the hole created by the retirement of Paul Posluszny. Vanderbilt has a history of producing solid linebacker prospects. Burks flexibility had him play some safety as well in the Commodores’ system in 2014. He had a solid senior year, making 82 tackles, seven for loss, one interception, and three pass breakups.
Round 4, Pick 129 – Luke Falk, Quarterback, Washington State
The Jaguars have to take a quarterback, right? Falk is a solid prospect who will have time to learn in 2018. Falk has nice size at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds and comes from a good college program out west. Falk ended his career at Washington State by playing in 43 career games, where he completed 1404 passes, for 14486 pssing yards, with 119 passing touchdowns, and 39 interceptions. He has the size, he has good arm strength, he has a nice deep ball, and is a great pocket passer.
Round 6, Pick 203 – Antonio Callaway, Wide Receiver, Florida
Maybe the riskiest pick in the entire NFL Draft. I am sure fellow Inscriber Magazine writer Matthew Wilder would agree. There are so many things to like about Callaway the player. He is dynamic and could be a game changer as a deep threat and kick returner. His off-field issues will scare some teams away. The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of those teams that can help him mature as a player and adult, which could make him a steal in this draft class.
Round 7, Pick 230 _ Tavarus McFadden, Cornerback, FSU
McFadden was regarded as one of the best cornerback prospects heading into the 2017 season. But his lack of consistency and sub-par Combine have him playing catch up with other top players at his position. The Jaguars can take a flyer on the former FSU star and work him into the secondary rotation slowly. He could be a low risk, high reward draft pick. He could also help the Jaguars with the return game.
Round 7, Pick 247 – Johnny Townsend, Punter, Florida
I give the Jacksonville Jaguars Townsend because the team met with him and worked him out. Incumbent Brad Nortman may not be back. Townsend was one of the best punters in the league last season. Finding a replacement for a punter is fairly simple. Townsend could be a big help in determining field position for this franchise. Special teams weren’t as solid as the Jaguars would have liked last season. Townsend may help change that.