Jacksonville Jaguars - AFC South, 2008 Draft Selections & Prospects
Jacksonville Jaguars
The
Draft Was ... A desperate plea for pass rushing help. Derrick Harvey
and Quentin Groves were two of the top pass rushing prospects in the
draft and Jaguars got them, but they didn't get a defensive tackle and
they traded away too much to move up to the eight to get Harvey. Both
picks have to pan out, not just one, or else the draft could be a total
flop. Best Value Pick: Trae Williams, CB USF. 5th round. While everyone
wanted USF CB Mike Jenkins, Williams was every bit as good a college
player at times. He's not big and he's not as good as Jenkins, but he's
not that far off. Biggest Reach: Derrick Harvey, DE Florida. 1st round. USC LB
Thomas Williams in the fifth was also a bit of a reach, but moving up to
get a pass rusher who was as underwhelming as Harvey was last year was a
bigger gamble than the coaching staff appears to be saying. Considering
the Jags needed offensive line help, and there were a slew of great
tackles on the board, Harvey had better be fantastic. They Should've ... Gotten Jason Taylor from Miami. While there
was talk about making a trade for the Dolphin star, it never happened.
For a team that's thinking Super Bowl like the Jaguars are, a sure-thing
like Taylor would've been better than a prospect like Harvey.
#
Pick
8
8
1st Round
(from Baltimore)
Derrick Harvey, DE Florida
While he looks like a pass rusher and has the athleticism and
ability to become a top end, he still has to tap into his
talent. Very strong and good against the run, he's not going to
get moved around by the stronger tackles. The problem is his
résumé. While he was good at Florida, he wasn't as dominant as
he should've been and was far more hype than production when it
was time to become the main man. While he was a good college
player, there's a chance he could be much better pro talent
after a little more coaching and a little more time in the
weight room. There's an upside to him, but it's not quite as
limitless as Phillip Merling or Vernon Gholston. CFN Projection: First Round
CFN Position Rank: 4
21
52
2nd Round
(from Tampa Bay)
Quentin Groves, OLB/DE Auburn
Groves is a textbook example of how lazy scouts can be. He came
back for his senior year and was a bit of a disappointment,
which led to him getting downgraded. Lost in the analysis by
many was how Groves tried to play through dislocated toes, not
just a toe, along with a shoulder. If used right, he's going to
be a devastating pro with tremendous speed to be a perfect 3-4
outside linebacker/defensive end. He needs to turn up the
intensity and he could get more physical against the run, but
he's the type of toy defensive coordinators love to play with. CFN Projection: Second Round
CFN Position Rank: 5 (as a LB)
24
159
5th Round
Trae Williams, CB South Florida
Overshadowed by running mate Mike Jenkins, Williams had just as
productive a career as a terrific starter for almost four years.
He was fantastic whenever anyone stayed away from Jenkins
picking off 13 passes in the last two seasons alone and worked
his tail off to become a better tackler. He has good speed, but
not elite-level wheels, and he's a bit small and isn't too
physical, but he's a good, sound defender who'll be good enough
to stick around the league for a long time if he's in the right
system. CFN Projection: Fifth Round
CFN
Position Rank: 18
20
155
5th Round
(from trade) Thomas Williams, LB USC Considering he was a superstar, five-star recruit, he never
played up to his expectations. A part-time player for the
Trojans, he was never able to grab a starting spot by the horns
even though he was productive when he got his chance. Even
though he's athletic, he's not fast and he's not very big. He
needs to make it on special teams.
CFN Projection: Free Agent CFN
Position Rank: NR
6
213
Jacksonville
(from trade) Chauncey Washington, RB USC
While he had some good post-season workouts to get on the draft
map, he never showed the talent he was supposed to have at USC.
A baby-soft inside runner considering his 210-pound body, he
also lacks the speed to do anything flashy. However, there is an
upside. If he really wants to work at it and really gets fired
up about being a possible pro back, he could eventually be a No.
3 back. Eventually. CFN Projection: Seventh RoundCFN
Position Rank: 25
